New mural in Old Strathcona champions Canadiana, local artists

A new mural paying homage to some Canadian themes has been painted in a high-traffic area of Old Strathcona.

Whyte Avenue is getting an “eh” in patriotic murals.

The newest piece of wall art at Spur Line Alley, commissioned by the Old Strathcona Business Association (OSBA), reflects “a lot of Canadiana” and “really cool Easter eggs,” says Andrea Donini, OSBA’s interim executive director.

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The mural’s creator, Edmonton artist, comedian and radio host Lauren Hunter, was sought out last year by OSBA for her previous work on Canadian themes that brought the community together.

“Everybody was really expressing their Canada pride and their willingness to shop local and shop Canadian,” Donini said during an interview on Wednesday. “We wanted to really capture that initiative and that feeling of togetherness and community.”

The mural was carefully done because of its location on the side of Richards Block, a 115-year-old heritage building. Both OSBA and Hunter had to figure out a way to install the art without permanently changing the brick wall.

That’s why the mural was created on vinyl panels that can be removed and replaced as needed.

“They will be removable and changeable. So over a period of time, one to two years, the art can be changed out,” Donini said.

The genesis of the mural, Donini said, was spurred by requests from business owners for graffiti to be taken down. Anti-graffiti coating used on the pieces, she says, makes vandalism a little easier to clean up.

“But one of the things that we notice is that when we beautify … it creates a whole lot more pedestrian traffic and flow and understanding,” Donini said. “And it reduces the incidence rate of things like graffiti.”

Ultimately, Donini said the goal of the OSBA is to commission art that covers many of the area’s alleyways.

“I’m all for this happening in all parts of our city. … I think that’s beautiful and really expands our urban exploration space,” she said.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Sean McClune