More than just a wall
Below is where we have started. Titi arrived last Wednesday and on Thursday he helped frame the mural because Faith47 was arriving a day or so late. This is where it started.
Titi starts the wall
The development of the mural on the wall at W.Hastings and Abbott has become more than just an art mural. Things have become more about the community than we ever thought.
Last week Dominique, who is originally from Quebec was in the lot cleaning and removing needles, debris and leaves. She flew from Quebec, found a area in a city in need and has shown up to clean, make friends and create change. If anyone ever thinks that you can’t change anything as one individual well Dominique is a good example that you can.
Dominique our friend from Quebec here in Vancouver to clean up the DTES.
The progress and development of the wall has gone quite well. We affixed a tarp because the weather in Vancouver has been so unpredictable. One minute it is raining the next minute it is sunshine, then it rains again and so on and so on and so on.
Here is Faith47 in action on the wall and trying to finish her section.
Faith47 finishing up her section of the wall
Indigo working on her section of the wall. She has been amazing at her stencils and so good with her work.
indigo in action on the wall at W.Hastings and Abbott
Peeta has been smooth and chilled while doing the wall. He does amazing work and is quite talented.
Peeta and his pinecones beauty and intellectual art
The wall has become more than just an art mural development project. The community has stepped up more than I would ever imagine. We have Dominique and her friends cleaning up the lot. They took hundreds of stones and have created a peace symbol. They have moved so much garabage and debris. Bruce and Larry two local fellows have been pushing and asking for a community garden. Locals from the DTES have been coming by everyday and thanking us and congratulating us. I think the DTES is a misunderstood place because I’ve never felt such a sense of community like I have here while doing this project.
Here is a pic of some of Dominiques friends. What a great bunch of people from the area who want to see more for this area.
dominique and her team of friends from the DTES area
We are almost there and close to completion, but I believe our work will never stop in this area and somehow and someway we will keep this project living for many years to come.
Good work Dominique, the dirty work is always the most rewarding in the face of God
one minute it is raining the next minute it is sunshine’ hahaha, that’s Vancouver for you. I lived there for 10 years and I think I saw more rain than the rest of my life combined!
Nothing beats the cherry blossom rain in mid feb though
every drop of rain that falls from the vancouver skies (and there are a heckuva lot!) every gorgeous cherry blossom that springs forth. they are all with purpose. god placed them in their little places here on this great earth.
Yup, in typical Vancouver spring weather, the rain came and went as the sun set…right?
The forecast for the day was supposed to be “Sunny with a chance of a light shower”. It didn’t look like that at all in the morning with lots of clouds and RAIN! Being Vancouver, the rain continued throughout the day, and I was hoping and praying it would ease up a little for the late afternoon’s walk over to the DTES, but it was just not happening. I’ll catch it later this week I hope!
Great to have it in this location. It encourages those of us who don’t normally stop in this neighbourhood to park, get out of our cars, take a look and possibly even interact with some of the locals. It did for me!