Shaughnessy Underpass Mural Project
Celebrate the Unveiling of a New Public Artwork in Port Coquitlam

Port Coquitlam, BC: Please join us at Leigh Square Community Arts Village on October 10th at the unveiling of the new Shaughnessy Underpass Murals, a public art venture that is a part of the Necklace Project, an inter-municipal collaboration in 10 municipalities in Metro Vancouver. The Necklace Project is a series of 10 public art projects threaded together as individual jewels on a necklace of common purpose throughout the Lower Mainland.

The series of community-based murals are 8 x 100 foot in length and will cover one side of the concrete wall on the Shaughnessy Street Underpass. Bert Monterona, muralist, art educator, cultural activist, and artist-in-residence was brought on board in 2008 to begin the process of creating a public art piece that reflects Port Coquitlam and its community. Residents of Port Coquitlam were encouraged to participate through workshops and community mural making. “Such workshops and interactive mural painting increases the citizen’s level of awareness through participation. They contribute to the understanding of the role of creativity in developing strong communities,” says Monterona. Over eight artists collaborated with Monterona throughout the duration of this civic project, generating ideas, painting the murals, and providing support and over twenty-three participants took part in workshops to learn the skills to paint murals.

When explaining his overall vision and theme for the mural, Bert explains “The Shaughnessy Underpass Murals are the kind of public art project that demonstrates Port Coquitlam’s dedication to unity in diversity, concerns for global warming, and a celebration of life in the beautiful City of Port Coquitlam.” The murals provoke thoughts on these issues and initiates public discussions as it projects topics on peace, environment, gender equality, and sensitivity.

The Leigh Square Community Arts Village is dedicated to encouraging and facilitating community development through arts, culture and heritage by creating a visible presence for community cultural activities within Port Coquitlam and contributing to the enlivening of the downtown core. For more information please visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/arts. ##

*NOTE: High resolution photos available upon request.

Contact:
Parm Johal
Recreation Programmer, Arts & Culture
Leigh Square Community Arts Village
T: 604.927.8441 E: johalp@portcoquitlam.ca