INNISFAIL – The town could soon be bursting with love from a massive community-driven project that will literally come from the heart.
In fact, more than 1,200 hearts, and in different sizes on a 40-foot-long mural.
“This mural is a way to send support and love to those who suffer from discrimination and hatred,” said Tasha Busch, a member of the Innisfail Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Committee (IWICC) and its mural sub-committee. “This message extends to all who are persecuted for being outside of the mainstream.
“It is a giant, visual love-note to the world, and a way for participants (heart-makers-the students) to express support for and alliance with one another.”
On March 15 the town’s Community Services Standing Committee approved a Community Grant application for $2,500 from the Henday Association for Lifelong Learning (HALL) and IWICC.
The funds from the grant will go towards IWICC’s ambitious and heartwarming School Fence Community Heart Mural project, which is hoped to begin in May on a fence along 52 Avenue by the Innisfail Schools Campus.
“This is wonderful for Innisfail. It is a reminder of what we are trying to do and that is to celebrate diversity and giving an explanation of what it is about,” said Donna Arnold, who is the executive director of HALL and a WICC member who wrote the successful Community Grant application for the mural sub-committee. “Murals makes us unique but it also serves us as a reminder about celebrating diversity.”
The idea for the mural came from similar projects in the United States. With this heart mural project by the Innisfail Schools Campus, HALL, IWICC and the mural sub-committee want to initiate public art in Innisfail.
“The importance of public art/murals - shows an engaged, growing, and sustainable community, an attachment and cultural identity, creates connection and brings social cohesion and cultural understanding,” said Busch. “It is a visual mechanism for understanding other cultures and communities and validates and supports our local artists.”
IWICC is waiting for formal approvals from the Chinook’s Edge School Division to have all local schools and students play a major part in the project, which if funding allows could see two murals created.
“Everyone is really excited about the project,” said Busch. She said the mural committee has reached out to the Innisfail High School to see if classes would be willing to cut out more than 1,200 wooden hearts in varying sizes.
“We will then have students at all the Innisfail schools paint them in the colours of the rainbow in acrylic paints,” said Busch. “If any are left to be done, we will ask other groups in the community to paint them.”
She said a plaque will be added to the mural to state its meaning and sponsor.
Busch added that if the schools for any reason can not participate in any part of the project other community groups would be approached to participate.
She said stewards of this mural have volunteered to ensure this new public art is maintained in case there is vandalism.
“We feel this mural would be done to stand the test of time and be an incredible asset to the community,” she said.
