Vancouver Mural Festival reveals expanded, three-week celebration

The Vancouver Mural Festival (VMF) has revealed details of an expanded and reinvented celebration that’s scheduled to take place this summer.

The announcement follows VMF’s widely-popular #MakeArtWhileApart campaign to transform boarded-up storefronts across Mount Pleasant and Greater Vancouver into works of art. In total, more than 60 murals were created on boarded-up storefronts during the pandemic.

Created by Carrie Lynn Victor. (Gabriel Martins)

Created by Will Phillips. (Gabriel Martins)

Now, organizers say that they’ll be returning to their roots. Rather than hosting a series of events, which typically include a massive street party, they’ve “re-imagined” the festival to focus on creating more art than ever.

This year’s festival is being expanded to take place over the span of three weeks and will reach more neighbourhoods than ever. VMF says that they’ll be reaching beyond its origins in Mount Pleasant, enabling “more people to celebrate murals within their own neighbourhoods.”

Created by Jenn Brisson. (Gabriel Martins)

Created by Jason Mcrae. (Gabriel Martins)

David Vertesi, Executive Director of VMF, says that their #MarkArtWhileApart campaign helped remind them of the positive impact that public art can have on businesses and communities.

“#MakeArtWhileApart brought these groups together in such a vivid way,” he said in a statement. “It really drove home for us that Mount Pleasant wasn’t the only neighbourhood that needed VMF right now.”

• See also:
  • 59 stunning murals painted on boarded-up storefronts (PHOTOS)
  • Vancouver Mural Festival to create 40 murals on boarded-up storefronts
  • How a broken window became an art piece at this North Vancouver Gallery

Naturally, this year’s expansions mean that more artists will have an opportunity to participate and make murals. Festival organizers are inviting local artists to apply online for their chance to take part in the 2020 Festival.

“This summer, we may not be able to celebrate together physically but we’re excited to share the spirit of Vancouver Mural Festival while supporting communities across the city,” says VMF organizers. 

Created by Lukas Lundberg.(Gabriel Martins)

Created by Lukas Lundberg. (Gabriel Martins)

This year’s festival is scheduled to take place in mid-August and run for three weeks. Exact dates and expanded neighbourhoods are expected to be shared over the coming weeks.

Daily Hive is a proud media partner of the Vancouver Mural Festival