Vancouver Mural Festival 2021 announces over 60 new murals in 11 neighbourhoods across the city for this summer’s August 4th to 22nd annual celebration.
The murals will showcase an incredible line-up of diverse local artists sharing a range of cultural, historical and personal stories. The festival will also host daily mural tours, public talks (in-person and online), plus three weeks of live performances at an open-air, pop-up patio in Mount Pleasant.
Murals not only bring our streets to life, they’re part of a bigger story and cultural evolution. Vancouver Mural Festival harnesses the visual impact of public art to connect communities, celebrate diverse cultures and histories, and serve as a catalyst for addressing many of the socio-cultural issues facing our city and communities.
Showcasing and collaborating with underrepresented/marginalized groups—including BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ and youth—is at the core of VMF, reflected in all aspects of the festival, including projects (art and events), curators and artists.
The Fest is captured throughout these 11 neighbourhoods:
– Cambie Village
– Downtown
– Edgemont Village
– Hogan’s Alley
– Marpole
– Mount Pleasant
– Punjabi Market
– River District
– South Granville
– Strathcona
– West End
This year’s featured Community Projects highlight VMF’s on-going commitment to diversity, inclusivity and community-building with these three key programs:
Blanketing the City IV: Cathedral Square
The first large-scale semi-permanent public art collaboration between weavers from the three local nations: xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl’ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) in over 200 years.
Black Strathcona Resurgence Project (BSRP)
A multi-year project with a goal of reclaiming visibility and reconciling the erasure and systemic racism endured over time by black people in Vancouver.
Punjabi Market: Murals In The Market
Punjabi Market Regeneration Collective’s Murals in the Market initiative facilitates storytelling and discussion around racism and discrimination through public art by local BIPOC artists.
Visit Vancouver Mural Fest online for updates and for more details.
