Make your mark on Canada’s history with the Canada 150 Mosaic.
Hosted in collaboration with the City of Chilliwack, Chilliwack Community Arts Council, and the Mural Mosaic team, this large-scale community project in honour of Canada’s sesquicentennial creates a unique opportunity for Chilliwack residents to express their patriotism through the painting of art tiles.
Painting sessions will be held throughout the day on April 27 and 28 at the Landing Sports Centre (loft area, 45530 Spadina Ave.) with the grand unveiling of the finished mural on July 1 as part of the city-wide Canada Day celebrations.
The concept for the original Mural Mosaic project was founded in 2003 by artist trio Lewis Lavoie, Paul Lavoie, and Phil Alain.
With experience organizing collaborative murals throughout North America, the Mural Mosaic team launched a bold undertaking in honour of Canada’s 150 anniversary with a plan to coordinate the creation of 150 individual murals. Each mural is comprised of some 400 to 750 tiles painted by members of select communities in each province, which when combined, will visually form a gigantic country-wide mural mosaic.
A total of 80,000 tiles painted across the country will comprise an overall image of train cars, connecting Canadians far and wide. The finished mural will serve as an inspiring, unified cultural mosaic, comprised of sections that represent the character of each individual community.
Each community’s completed mural will reside in the town or city where it was created, serving as a lasting reminder of our country’s milestone 150 year and showcasing the vibrancy of its people.
As members of one of the selected British Columbian communities, Chilliwack residents are invited to attend special tile painting sessions wherein participants of all ages will have the opportunity to paint their own 4” by 4” aluminum primer-coated panel.
Each tile will fit into its place in the unique overall mural concept specially designed for Chilliwack’s portion of the commemorative national mosaic. Upon assembly, these smaller works of art are joined together into one large unified mosaic, ready to be unveiled to friends, family, and neighbours on July 1 as part of Canada Day.
In addition to the grand unveiling of the completed mosaic, the City of Chilliwack’s Canada Day celebrations held at Townsend Park will feature hands-on activities, crafts, and live performances for children and parents alike, a special pop-up market featuring all things local hosted by That Local Market, food trucks, and more as part of the daytime family-friendly festivities held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Starting at 6 p.m., guests will enjoy the opening ceremonies, lively musical performances, and more food truck eats before the dazzling fireworks show lights up the night, concluding another year in celebration of our proud country.
Mark Canada’s 150 birthday by collaborating with fellow community members. Bring a friend and take part in an art tile painting session on April 27 and April 28.
Sessions on Thursday, April 27 will be held: 9-10 a.m., 10:30-11:30 a.m., 12-1 p.m., 1:30-2:30 p.m., and 3-4 p.m. Painting times for Friday, April 28 are the same as Thursday, plus there’s a 4:30-5:30 p.m. session. All painting sessions will be held in the loft area of the Landing Sports Centre. All supplies will be provided and every skill level is welcome.
For more information about the Canada 150 Mosaic, please visit: canada150mosaic.com, and chilliwackartscouncil.com for further details about the City of Chilliwack’s Canada Day celebrations.