Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A mural from Belgian artist Nean at 9345 Main Street in downtown Chilliwack. Chilliwack councillors are set to review amendments to the city's public art policy at their meeting today (Tuesday, Apr. 8), but the changes aren't sitting well with one public art advocate. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Murals in Chilliwack

Update: Proposed changes to City of Chilliwack’s mural policies referred back to staff

Apr 8, 2025 | 11:45 AM

UPDATE 4:05 P.M. TUESDAY: Proposed changes to the city’s public art policies involving murals in downtown Chilliwack have been referred back to staff, meaning Chilliwack council took no official action at its meeting Tuesday afternoon. After a lengthy discussion, the proposed changes will head to Public Art Advisory Committee.

Original story below from 11:45 a.m. Tuesday morning: 

CHILLIWACK — An advocate for public art in Chilliwack, particularly murals in the downtown core, suggests proposed changes to the city’s policies around murals are concerning.

Chilliwack councillors are set to review amendments to the city’s public art policy at their meeting today (Tuesday, Apr. 8). The proposed revisions have a goal of clarifying and streamlining the public art ratification process, while facilitating what the city says is a more “user-friendly” approach to public art procurement, including the cataloging, maintenance and decommissioning of artwork. Municipal staff are proposing a repeal of Policy Directive No. G-18 Mural Policy. Since murals are considered a form of public art, their review processes are now integrated into the updated public art policy, rendering the mural policy redundant.

Amber Price, owner of The Book Man in downtown Chilliwack, has a different take, however. She says a primary goal in her life has been to create an accessible, walkable mural tour in downtown Chilliwack, motivated by a goal of keeping up with the new development and encouraging people to explore downtown on foot while relishing what she calls “some gorgeous public art.”

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She says the proposed changes would do a disservice to what her and other mural supporters have tried to accomplish.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A mural behind the former Homer restaurant in downtown Chilliwack.

“However, the City of Chilliwack is proposing to change their Public Art Policy as of today to disallow the concentration of public art moving forward,” Price wrote. “They are also increasing the workload for our team of volunteers, making it more difficult for us to apply to paint murals.”

Price says nearly 50 world class artists have contributed their incredible gifts and talent to transforming once drab alleyways and have given community members and visitors alike a beautiful array of art to enjoy.

“We have fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars that have gone back into the creative class, and in turn they have shared their genius with us,” Price wrote on social media. “If you see the value in having a walkable mural tour in Downtown Chilliwack, and enjoy having a concentration of public art in our downtown core, please write Mayor and Council! Your support is needed!”