Project to reduce hate-related graffiti unveils new mural

An area in central Edmonton that was once tagged with hate-related graffiti has been turned into a work of art.

A new mural is replacing hate-related graffiti in the Norwood community of north Edmonton.

Lorraine Shulba, an Alberta-born and raised painter, was sought out to create the piece on behalf of the Norwood Artistic Animation project, a group aiming to reduce hate-related graffiti in the area.

The expansive, colourful piece was unveiled Friday morning and celebrated as an achievement made possible by the City of Edmonton, Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre and the community as a whole.

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It sits on the public pathway between 118 Avenue and 111 Avenue near the resource centre.

Laurie Fagan, the executive director for the centre, said it was much-needed.

“We have a lot of walkers and bikers that use this as a thoroughfare … this is kind of like the opposite of hate graffiti,” she said.

Fagan added the beautification process – and the community-led reveal – is meant to make the area less desirable to vandals looking to tag the area.

“We’re so integrated with our community, we’ll be able to talk to them about the beautification of the community and how it’s so important that they gather around and share in the continued maintenance of this piece of work.”

The opening on Friday saw around 150 community members attend.

Fagan noted that she hopes the mural shows the resilience of a diverse community.

“For a very vulnerable and underestimated community, we came out today with the big one-two punch.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Dave Mitchell