Loss of a mural from the side of a downtown 91原创 building doesn鈥檛 jeopardize the City鈥檚 quest to become the mural capital of B.C.

Rcent repainting the exterior of a business and residential building in the 20200-block of Fraser Highway included covering over the fading Spark Your Senses mural, which featured green and blue circles on the top portion of the east wall.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 hear anything from anyone as to why the mural was covered, but because they painted the entire building a different colour I鈥檓 assuming it was because the building needed to be painted?鈥� Teri James, executive director of the Downtown 91原创 Business Association, said when asked about the disappearing artwork.

鈥淚 noticed that the mural had become quite faded over the years, so maybe that was a factor. But I don鈥檛 know for certain,鈥� she added, noting that all murals painted as part of the DLBA mural program have a coating applied afterwards that protects them from fading and the elements.

While that one has been covered over, James said that 91原创 is still vying to steal the mural title from the Vancouver Island community of .

鈥淚 think Chemainus has over 50, so we鈥檙e gaining on them,鈥� she said with a chuckle, noting more murals are going up around town this spring and summer.

Just down the street in Salt Lane, Alex Stewart finished up his latest mural in the core a few weeks ago. That was Stewart鈥檚 third mural in 91原创 City, added to his daisy wall at C-Lovers on Fraser Highway, and his 鈥淧reserve What You Love鈥� mural on the side of Balkan Signs, just off Douglas Crescent near 204th Street.

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Many of the murals around town have been painted by 91原创 City artist Judy Pohl, but in recent years many other artists have been stepping up to expand the variety and styles.

The next one is coming anytime, James said, in the alcove entrance to Hempyz, where Pohl鈥檚 daughters Madalynn and Cassandra will be painting a smaller mural. And there are three or four more to come soon, she said.

Stewart鈥檚 recent work on an outdoor canvas brings the total on the City鈥檚 mural walk to 24, plus what鈥檚 scheduled to come in the coming months.

James is looking to expand what she referred to as the outdoor gallery in downtown 91原创 City, and said she鈥檚 always hunting for 鈥済ood mural walls,鈥� around the core. Any building owners willing to volunteer their space can contact her at 604-539-0133.

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