As our city shops begin to open up following the COVID-19 lockdown, I wanted to get out and photograph the Gastown murals while I had the chance.
They’re currently starting to come down and all will be moved from the area by May 28, with plaques to commemorate them once June rolls around).
This grassroots movement gained momentum during the months of lockdown, with many local artists contributing their talent to plywood-boarded storefronts.
Most are along the theme of thanking our health care and frontline workers, but there’s a message in all of them: This will get better.
Over 35 have been created by more than 20 artists, however I chose to focus on Cordova and Water Streets, with a brief stop at Maple Tree Square to admire the numerous murals alongside Kimprints custom framing shop.
On the day of my visit, Kimprints’ owner Kim Briscoe was onsite, working with the Gastown Business Improvement Society’s photographer to capture the soon-to-be historic murals.
