VANCOUVER NATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY COMPLETES LARGEST MURAL PROJECT IN WESTERN CANADA

Vancouver, B.C. - The Vancouver Native Housing Society celebrated the completion of the Orwell Hotel Mural Project, a 7,600 sq ft mural, which is the largest in Western Canada. The official naming and ceremonial blessing of this remarkable public art project was held in the back alleyway of the Orwell Hotel at 456 E. Hastings.

“Named ‘Through the Raven’s Eye,’ this 120 ft wide by 79 ft tall Aboriginal mural has already captured the hearts and minds of the Downtown Eastside community,” said David Eddy, Executive Director of the Vancouver Native Housing Society (VHNS). VNHS manages the provincially-owned Orwell Hotel, providing supportive housing to people at risk of homelessness. “You wouldn’t believe how many folks have stopped by to talk about this new landmark on East Hastings Street.”

“The Province is committed to improving the quality of life in the Downtown Eastside and this is a visible sign of that progress,” said Colin Hansen, Minister of Finance. “This mural represents a bold and positive statement about the renaissance and revitalization that is underway in this community.”

Richard Tetrault and Jerry Whitehead, co-artistic directors of the project, worked with a talented team of urban Aboriginal artists in a collaborative design process that began with a community brainstorming session with the Vancouver Native Health Society, the Carnegie Community Centre, Broadway Youth Resources Centre, the Vancouver Foundation and others from the DTES.

“This project is unique,” explained Richard George, VNHS board president. “It carries the voice and portrays the vision of the urban Aboriginal community in so many ways; a vision that draws upon the spirit of ancient tradition, the challenges of the past and the hopes and dreams for the future.”

During the six weeks of working high up on the 24 ft long swing stage, Jerry Whitehead spoke of the excitement and pride that the entire artistic team feels for the mural. “This is one BIG canvas,” he said with a beaming smile, “… a lot of fun and one BIG opportunity to say something positive about the Aboriginal experience on Vancouver’s Eastside.” Jerry and most of the other Aboriginal artists had previously worked together on the Looking Forward Looking Back project www.lookingforwardlookingback.com) – an Aboriginal artists’ view of life on the Downtown Eastside. You can follow the story; see photos and video of the project at: www.urbanaboriginal.org.

The City of Vancouver (Great Beginnings Program) and the Province each contributed $20,000 to the project. Funding also came from the Royal Bank of Canada, General Paint, the Britannia Community Centre, and the Strathcona Business Improvement Association, in addition to the many volunteer hours contributed by the mural artists. The other mural artists are: Richard Shorty, Haisla Collins and Sharifa Masden. Nicola Campbell wrote the poem and the circular double raven design is by Eric Parnell.

For more information on Vancouver Native Housing Society, please visit: www.vhns.ca.  

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Media Contacts:
David Eddy, VNHS
604-320-3312 ext. 24

Richard Tetrault/Jerry Whitehead
604-215-4492
Co-Artistic Directors