City councillor questions approval process for 10 new murals in Chilliwack

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“That speaks volumes to the lengthy discussion we had on this last time, Your Worship,” he said. “I’m not sure why it’s on the agenda if they’re already putting them up. I think it speaks to either we’re going to be involved in the decision making or not. I don’t currently have a position on which one it is. It seems to be a bit of a farce that it’s before us and it’s already being done.”

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Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A new mural behind the former Homer’s Restaurant in downtown Chilliwack. The artist appears to be Sophie Mess from the United Kingdom.

Mayor Ken Popove added to the confusion by saying, “I have no idea. I think there is some confusion with the mural festival committee as far as timing and getting things in at a time for us to look at them. Did I not hear it that way?”

City of Chilliwack Chief Administrative Officer David Blain said there needs to be a better process in place.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from council that we need a better process; they’re working on a better process,” Blain said. “This is just cleaning up the approval for this year. The idea is to move forward this year this way. The artists had difficulty getting their stuff in time to meet our current timelines, so we’re going to have to find a better way to do this. This is the last year we do it this way.”

Councillors Nicole Read and Harv Westeringh sit on the Public Art Advisory Committee. Councillor Westeringh agreed that there needs to be a better process for next year’s murals.

“We know we have to get a better process and we’re working on it,” Westeringh conceded. “Next year will be a lot better. It’s nice to see some local artists, especially some local Indigenous artists. It’ll be a nice addition to the downtown.”

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A new mural from Belgian artist Nean at 9345 Main Street in downtown Chilliwack.

Councillor Jason Lum said while the process may not have been council envisioned, he indicated mural festival organizers made some adjustments and changes based on commentary and feedback from council members.

“Being a half glass full type of guy, it looks like there will be some great murals from world class artists going up in Chilliwack,” Councillor Lum said.