In the summer of 2017, the City of Port Coquitlam participated in the Canada 150 national mosaic mural project, creating a community artwork that is aesthetically, narratively and virtually connected by way of an 80,000 tile, 100% hand-painted, massive coast-to-coast mural. Cities and communities across Canada have been adding their stories, celebrating their iconic landmarks and trademarks. Each individual mural represents a train car, which inevitably will join the other murals to form a gigantic train – the foundation of the unification of Canada.
The mural, designed by artist Lewis Lavoie and local community members, showcases our hometown hero Terry Fox, our beloved rivers and trails, and a tribute to the Kwikwetlem First Nation. Made up of over 700 individual tiles, community members of all ages helped contribute to the mural, creating one piece in this national mosaic legacy.
The Port Coquitlam Canada 150 Mural Mosaic Committee included:
- Councillor Fred Hulbert of Kwikwetlem First Nation
- Art Focus Artists’ Association
- Local youth volunteers Deon Feng, Celine Yeh, Janelle Feng, and Michelle Yang
This installation can be found at the Outlet (#110-2248 McAllister Avenue, Port Coquitlam, BC).
About the Artist
Mural Mosaic began in 2003 and was founded by the trio of Lewis Lavoie, Paul Lavoie and Phil Alain. Lead by renowned artist Lewis Lavoie, the trio is based out of St. Albert AB and have been orchestrating collaborative murals around North America involving artists and non- artists alike from all over the world.
Their murals have been featured at such events as the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the Centennial celebration of the Calgary Stampede, the Alberta Saskatchewan Centennial of 2005, the Edmonton Centennial of 2005 and a Royal unveiling for Queen Elizabeth II.
The murals have included special guest team members ranging from renowned artists to celebrity and political guests. Some past participants and guests include The Barenaked Ladies Kevin Hearn, William Shatner, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, Robert Bateman, Michelle Grant, Bill Lishman, Ian Tyson, Former Premiers Lorne Calvert and the late Ralph Klein and literally thousands more.
