Alley Murals ~ Art ~ Kamloops, BC

It has been awhile since we’ve taken a walk through the downtown alleys to have a look at the new murals that have been done since our last visit there.  There were several new ones and some are more than amazing to view.

History with trains

Alex Moir-Porteous was the lead artist, with a crew of Ruby Kasmito, Joy West-Collazzi and Cali Miller.  Volunteers who also helped were Alonzo, Ben Jaarsma and Dawn Marie Duncan.  The train has a long history in Kamloops and the Kamloops Heritage Rail still carries on the old tradition, including a hold-up by the old Billy Miner gang which originally happened in 1906.

Art Gallery

This mural was done in 2015 and sponsored by the K.C.B.I.A. as are many of the others.  I don’t have particulars on that but as the numbers have grown, the interest has grown as has the talents we see.  The artist and assistants on this one are Ken Wells, Britanee Neufeld and Roy Morrison. 

Colorful & Bright

This cleverly uses the downward pipes as palm tree trunks.  Other than a ‘Ksymbol’ at the bottom of these murals, I did not know the artist.  I wish to give credit to the talents who display their work so after doing some searching, found the artist.  Both of these are done by Kelly Wright.

City Street

This mural has so much in it to see.  Called the “Wheel in the Sky”, starring the ‘Great Architect’ has included different names for his helpers as part of the cinema attraction.  Alex Moir-Porteous is the artist who created this.  

Sax Player

This incredible mural was done by Zack Abney.  Being artwork in the alley means there is no way to get away from garbage bins that we have to see but I’d lose almost half of the photo if I were to crop them out.  So we see it as it is, and the magic of the painter will keep your eyes on the mural.

Peace and Love

Artist Ken Wells signifies the Old Mystic sending out flowers with his doves to share peace and love.  The birdcage actually surrounds a window, such a good placement of it.  This does remind me of a visit to Hong Kong when a walk around the park you will see many senior men with their birdcages with birds hanging in the trees as they sit and visit with one another.  If memory serves me right, they were budgies and parakeets, though, no doves. 

Leland Hotel

Evan Christian created this mural in 2017.  It brings back historical memories of the old Leland Hotel with brightness.  It was built in 1905 and had 75 years to create a colorful history, sadly it burnt down in 1980. 

Kelly Olynyk

This one is of Kelly Olynyk and slightly off the track of the alley locations but I had to include it.  It is at Thompson Rivers University by the basketball gymnasium.  Kelly played basketball during his high school years in Kamloops and eventually went on to bigger and better things, now playing for the NBA. Bill Frymire is the artist who created this mural that is a strong resemblance to Kelly Olynyk.

Lansdowne Parkade

The City of Kamloops commissioned Bill Frymire to create this mesh image on the Lansdowne Parkade.  It wraps around both sides and the front offering a brilliant colorful sight and depending on where you stand, the colors can vary.  It is unlike anything I’ve seen before and am not quite sure what it might be technically called but it is art and it is amazing.  

Work up close

It has 90,000 brushed steel tiles, each one representing the population of Kamloops.  Most of the tiles are stationary but the one wave sweeping the breadth of it has left the tiles fluttering that allows them to shimmer even more in the breeze.

We then met a couple of visitors from Australia who were enjoying a solo tour of the murals with a mural map in hand.  We had a nice chat about the newest mural before we went on our way. The Tourist Centre or City of Kamloops should have the maps, as well as many who carry tourist brochures.

To view other murals I posted in 2016, click here.

Murals ~ Back Alley Art Gallery ~ Kamloops, BC

Alley murals in Kamloops, BC

Murals are a great way to tell a story or share some history and we have some talented artists in Kamloops that have contributed to the story telling with murals.

Mural in 200 Victoria St. alley

In 2010, the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association decided that the alleys of downtown Kamloops needed some cleaning up and improvement.  Murals were the answer and the Back Alley Art Gallery was born.

The Big Boot Inn mural

The Big Boot Inn has been in business for many years and is part of the history of Victoria Street.  The mural offers a display window look into the past.

Great optical illusion

Murals do improve the appearance of our downtown alleyways.  Before the murals were there, alleys were quite unsightly but they seem to keep cleaner since their addition.

Overview of Kamloops shops and the rivers and hills

The sad part is that these murals are not often seen by the locals or visitors to our city unless they are making a point of walking through the alleys. There are several other cities that have done this mural painting, as well, as it is a great way to feature some of the history of the city.

Plan a walk down the alleys between Victoria and Seymour Street on the 200 and 300 blocks the next time you are downtown and see these murals.  Share the sights with others.

Images of Marilyn Monroe

Details of mural at Castles and Cottages

I spoke with Rosie, owner of Castles and Cottages to hear what was behind her choice of this mural behind her shop.  Rosie was approached by the KCBIA a couple of years ago but she had no thoughts of what she might like until she saw the artist Kelly Wright’s picture of a mermaid.

Castles and Cottages store

Rosie’s inspiration comes from her Mediterranean ancestry, the love of the water and with Kelly’s artistic contributions led to this mystical mural with mermaids and King Neptune, mythological god of the sea.  Castles and cottages are part of this wonderful mural, too, shown in the top left corner.

Street musicians

Some murals feature the stores they are behind, others have a fantasy touch or famous actresses and others may be a story but whatever they are, we appreciate and enjoy their great addition to our alleyways.  Hopefully they continue and there will be some of our local history shared this way, too.

Venice in Kamloops

Tourism Kamloops has listed the murals as a cultural walking tour in Kamloops and you will see the addresses listed on their page.  The murals that are listed on their page include the artist’s names, as well.

First Nations Murals ~ Artist Joey Nash ~ Parkcrest Elementary School

A Recipe for Success:  Mix a great artist and wonderful lady like Joey Nash with First Nations education worker Christina Boyer, then mix in the students at Parkcrest Elementary School in Kamloops, BC and you will have some incredible murals to fill the hallways of the school that will inspire others for years to come.

Fin Friends door to welcome all to Parkcrest school in Kamloops, BC

 The First Nation style of art is very evident in these murals, they're also lessons of life that the students were learning and sharing by creating these wonderful works of art.

Hummingbird door is Joey's favorite

The first meeting Joey Nash would have with each classroom would include the students and their teacher, they would then decide what theme they would like to use.  They would do drawings of their ideas and make a template of the mural to be created on the door leading into their classroom.  With Joey's guidance and teaching, they would begin their creations.

Circle of Life at Parkcrest Elementary School in Kamloops, BC

The youngest of classes would participate in their creations by dabbing their fingers in the paint and make pebbles on the ground or insects in the grass and Joey would add her talents with the native style animals, fish and birds.

Mid day window view at Parkcrest Elementary

There were murals made as views through three windows showing morning, midday and evening to brighten the windowless computer room.

Storyboard morning in Spring greets those coming in the front door of Parkcrest School in Kamloops, BC

The hallway near the entrance of the school has storyboards to take us throught a day from morning to night and the four seasons with the little creatures that live in our world.

Raven door brightens the hallway of Parkcrest Elementary School

The Raven, also the school mascot was featured in one mural for all to enjoy.  What wonderful sights to see as the class enters their room for their day in school and the pride they would feel in their participation in that artwork.

Learn Play Grow door at Parkcrest Elementary School

The bear reading in this mural is wearing purple glasses, as does the teacher of this classroom, a personal touch as well as whimsy for a Kindergarten class.

I spent the afternoon getting a tour of the murals in the school as well as visiting with Joey Nash and hearing her passion for the art she creates and her love of sharing it with students of all ages.  I am sure that she has inspired some young artists at Parkcrest Elementary School and hopefully they will continue telling the stories of the First Nations people.

To learn more about our talented local Kamloops artist Joey Nash, click here to browse her website with her self-portrait to greet you and enjoy her many paintings shown there, including more murals from the Parkcrest Elementary School.