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Murals
bright, bold, and unapologetically human
Make Space Matter
I’ve been painting walls for over 20 years and not just the easy ones. My practice blends technical skill with lived experience, emotional depth, and community care. Whether it’s a municipal commission, a privately owned business wall, or a collaborative installation, my murals are designed to spark conversation, connection, and curiosity.
I've created and co-produced over 40 public art projects, mentored muralists, and helped transform unassuming surfaces into places of pride. If you’re here because you have a wall and a good idea, I’m ready to talk, please fill out the form below.
Mural Portfolio
Welcome to my portfolio. Here you’ll find a selection of my mural work. Explore my projects to learn more about what I do.
West Coast Dentist
Project Overview
Wentworth Dental in Nanaimo, BC reached out for a custom mural that aligned with their brand, a natural landscape framed inside a molar silhouette. Though landscape art isn’t my usual style, the concept felt fresh and fitting for the space.
Execution
The clients were a dream, organized, communicative, and decisive. I provided two design options, and they chose the second: a moody Vancouver Island winter scene without snow, using a tight palette to stay within budget. We used Benjamin Moore latex paints for their opacity and durability, though blending was a challenge due to fast drying times. My technician and I worked through layout adjustments, color swaps, and long painting days to bring the design to life.
Outcome
After +38 hours of work (plus 29 from my technician), the mural was completed over a long weekend. The final piece matched the digital render and filled the space beautifully. The clients were thrilled, and the office now features a bold, atmospheric artwork that reflects their brand and welcomes visitors with warmth
Wentworth Dental in Nanaimo, BC reached out for a custom mural that aligned with their brand, a natural landscape framed inside a molar silhouette. Though landscape art isn’t my usual style, the concept felt fresh and fitting for the space.
Execution
The clients were a dream, organized, communicative, and decisive. I provided two design options, and they chose the second: a moody Vancouver Island winter scene without snow, using a tight palette to stay within budget. We used Benjamin Moore latex paints for their opacity and durability, though blending was a challenge due to fast drying times. My technician and I worked through layout adjustments, color swaps, and long painting days to bring the design to life.
Outcome
After +38 hours of work (plus 29 from my technician), the mural was completed over a long weekend. The final piece matched the digital render and filled the space beautifully. The clients were thrilled, and the office now features a bold, atmospheric artwork that reflects their brand and welcomes visitors with warmth
The Last of Us: Hope Mural
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2025, Humanity in Art was commissioned by the City of Nanaimo to recreate the Hope mural, which was initially featured in HBO's The Last of Us (Season 2, Episode 4). The mural, designed by set artists to evoke post-apocalyptic storytelling, had captured public imagination and local pride during the show’s filming in Nanaimo, which served as a stand-in for Seattle.
Following the episode’s release, HBO granted permission and funding to preserve the mural as a permanent installation, recognizing its cultural significance and potential to contribute to downtown film tourism.
Execution Strategy
Humanity in Art worked from behind-the-scenes production images and mockups provided by the City. Using scaffolding to reach the original mural height and working around live power lines, the team recreated the design with meticulous attention to texture and wear.
The aesthetic leaned heavily into intentional aging, following visible roller marks and distressed paint cues from the original set version. For the central PRIDE lettering, the artists digitally rendered a match using archival photography, then cut stencils to retain fidelity to the broadcast mural.
Artist Selection
Humanity in Art was selected for their technical expertise, attention to detail, and lived queer experience. Both artists are known for their technical mural work and occasional roles as mural installation technicians. Their commitment to representing identity through art aligned with the City’s values and the spirit of the original mural.
Outcome
The recreated mural now anchors a prominent downtown wall and serves as a tourism feature. For residents, it offers a site-specific message of pride and hope. For fans of The Last of Us, it creates an opportunity for storytelling within a real-world location.
Project Overview
In 2025, Humanity in Art was commissioned by the City of Nanaimo to recreate the Hope mural, which was initially featured in HBO's The Last of Us (Season 2, Episode 4). The mural, designed by set artists to evoke post-apocalyptic storytelling, had captured public imagination and local pride during the show’s filming in Nanaimo, which served as a stand-in for Seattle.
Following the episode’s release, HBO granted permission and funding to preserve the mural as a permanent installation, recognizing its cultural significance and potential to contribute to downtown film tourism.
Execution Strategy
Humanity in Art worked from behind-the-scenes production images and mockups provided by the City. Using scaffolding to reach the original mural height and working around live power lines, the team recreated the design with meticulous attention to texture and wear.
The aesthetic leaned heavily into intentional aging, following visible roller marks and distressed paint cues from the original set version. For the central PRIDE lettering, the artists digitally rendered a match using archival photography, then cut stencils to retain fidelity to the broadcast mural.
Artist Selection
Humanity in Art was selected for their technical expertise, attention to detail, and lived queer experience. Both artists are known for their technical mural work and occasional roles as mural installation technicians. Their commitment to representing identity through art aligned with the City’s values and the spirit of the original mural.
Outcome
The recreated mural now anchors a prominent downtown wall and serves as a tourism feature. For residents, it offers a site-specific message of pride and hope. For fans of The Last of Us, it creates an opportunity for storytelling within a real-world location.
VIRL Book Genre Mural
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
The Vancouver Island Regional Library commissioned Humanity in Art to design and produce a large-scale mural for Diana Krall Plaza, a downtown Nanaimo space identified as underutilized and in need of revitalization. The client’s objective was to foster a stronger connection between the plaza, the library, and the wider community through accessible, high-impact public art.
Approach
The project began with extensive stakeholder engagement led by the library, which included outreach through social media and internal staff consultation. Humanity in Art translated this input into a cohesive mural concept centred on literature, imagination, and local identity.
The final design, titled Bookshelf Mural, features illustrated book spines, interactive visual motifs, and whimsical details intended to encourage exploration and photo engagement. The centre of the mural includes a tribute to Cedar-born Juno Award–winning composer Christine Jensen, whose jazz composition is integrated into the visual narrative. Additional science-fiction elements and hidden Easter eggs contribute to the mural’s layered storytelling.
Results
The mural transformed Diana Krall Plaza into a more vibrant and welcoming public space, reflecting both the character of the library and the creative spirit of the community. Installed on the exterior walls of VIRL’s downtown branch, the artwork remains open and accessible to the public, continuing to attract visitors to the site.
Project Overview
The Vancouver Island Regional Library commissioned Humanity in Art to design and produce a large-scale mural for Diana Krall Plaza, a downtown Nanaimo space identified as underutilized and in need of revitalization. The client’s objective was to foster a stronger connection between the plaza, the library, and the wider community through accessible, high-impact public art.
Approach
The project began with extensive stakeholder engagement led by the library, which included outreach through social media and internal staff consultation. Humanity in Art translated this input into a cohesive mural concept centred on literature, imagination, and local identity.
The final design, titled Bookshelf Mural, features illustrated book spines, interactive visual motifs, and whimsical details intended to encourage exploration and photo engagement. The centre of the mural includes a tribute to Cedar-born Juno Award–winning composer Christine Jensen, whose jazz composition is integrated into the visual narrative. Additional science-fiction elements and hidden Easter eggs contribute to the mural’s layered storytelling.
Results
The mural transformed Diana Krall Plaza into a more vibrant and welcoming public space, reflecting both the character of the library and the creative spirit of the community. Installed on the exterior walls of VIRL’s downtown branch, the artwork remains open and accessible to the public, continuing to attract visitors to the site.
From Hate to Hope: Butterfly Mural
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In late 2023, Humanity in Art was commissioned by the BC Human Rights Commissioner’s Office to design and facilitate a mural project in Nanaimo as part of the provincial Hate to Hope campaign. The campaign responded to increased hate incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic and aimed to foster belonging through public art in four BC communities.
Nanaimo was selected as the Vancouver Island site. Humanity in Art was asked to lead both community engagement workshops and the production of a youth-centered mural. As a queer and trans-led artistic partnership, the opportunity aligned closely with the artists’ lived experience and commitment to inclusive placemaking.
Collaborative Approach
Humanity in Art partnered with RISEBRIDGE, a local IBPOC-led nonprofit, to facilitate collaborative design sessions with youth. These sessions emphasized themes of hope, resilience, identity, and change, allowing young participants to shape the mural’s content and visual direction.
After design development, the team secured support from the City of Nanaimo to install the mural at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, a venue that had faced transphobic incidents earlier in the year. The proposal was formally presented to City Council on November 20, 2023, coinciding with Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Execution
The mural was painted in early December over a short window of time, with artists working around a busy public schedule and limited access. The final piece incorporated visual motifs inspired by workshop conversations, including a rainbow caterpillar emerging as a butterfly, a symbol of personal growth, transition, and collective transformation.
Outcomes
The project culminated in a public launch event featuring youth speakers, city representatives, and remarks from the Human Rights Commissioner. It remains installed on the exterior of the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and continues to serve as a site-specific artwork dedicated to inclusion and community resilience.
The project was fully funded by the BC Human Rights Commissioner’s Office. While the mural is housed at a City of Nanaimo facility, no municipal funding was provided.
Project Overview
In late 2023, Humanity in Art was commissioned by the BC Human Rights Commissioner’s Office to design and facilitate a mural project in Nanaimo as part of the provincial Hate to Hope campaign. The campaign responded to increased hate incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic and aimed to foster belonging through public art in four BC communities.
Nanaimo was selected as the Vancouver Island site. Humanity in Art was asked to lead both community engagement workshops and the production of a youth-centered mural. As a queer and trans-led artistic partnership, the opportunity aligned closely with the artists’ lived experience and commitment to inclusive placemaking.
Collaborative Approach
Humanity in Art partnered with RISEBRIDGE, a local IBPOC-led nonprofit, to facilitate collaborative design sessions with youth. These sessions emphasized themes of hope, resilience, identity, and change, allowing young participants to shape the mural’s content and visual direction.
After design development, the team secured support from the City of Nanaimo to install the mural at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, a venue that had faced transphobic incidents earlier in the year. The proposal was formally presented to City Council on November 20, 2023, coinciding with Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Execution
The mural was painted in early December over a short window of time, with artists working around a busy public schedule and limited access. The final piece incorporated visual motifs inspired by workshop conversations, including a rainbow caterpillar emerging as a butterfly, a symbol of personal growth, transition, and collective transformation.
Outcomes
The project culminated in a public launch event featuring youth speakers, city representatives, and remarks from the Human Rights Commissioner. It remains installed on the exterior of the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and continues to serve as a site-specific artwork dedicated to inclusion and community resilience.
The project was fully funded by the BC Human Rights Commissioner’s Office. While the mural is housed at a City of Nanaimo facility, no municipal funding was provided.
Trackside Paint Jam: Graffiti Lettering
In 2024, artist Lys Glassford participated in the annual Trackside Paint Jam, Canada’s largest sanctioned graffiti wall event held in Esquimalt, BC. The event brings together graffiti artists from across the country to transform the legal space.
Lys approached the opportunity as homage, returning to the roots of typographic art with a fresh graffiti composition inspired by 1960s commercial sign painting.
Creative Concept
The mural featured classic letterforms rendered in bold primary colours, echoing traditional hand-painted signage. Depth and dimension were achieved through shadow techniques and tonal layering, reflecting a fusion of vintage aesthetics and modern graffiti methodology. The design focused on clarity, nostalgia, and technical nuance.
Technical Execution
Working directly on the Trackside wall surface, Lys applied aerosol create crisp linework, controlled gradation, and vibrancy. The mural was completed within the time constraints of the jam while navigating weather conditions and surface scale typical of outdoor events.
Outcome
The mural received enthusiastic response from fellow participants and visitors. For Lys, the experience was both a reconnection with foundational influences and a joyful contribution to a nationally celebrated public art initiative.
Lys approached the opportunity as homage, returning to the roots of typographic art with a fresh graffiti composition inspired by 1960s commercial sign painting.
Creative Concept
The mural featured classic letterforms rendered in bold primary colours, echoing traditional hand-painted signage. Depth and dimension were achieved through shadow techniques and tonal layering, reflecting a fusion of vintage aesthetics and modern graffiti methodology. The design focused on clarity, nostalgia, and technical nuance.
Technical Execution
Working directly on the Trackside wall surface, Lys applied aerosol create crisp linework, controlled gradation, and vibrancy. The mural was completed within the time constraints of the jam while navigating weather conditions and surface scale typical of outdoor events.
Outcome
The mural received enthusiastic response from fellow participants and visitors. For Lys, the experience was both a reconnection with foundational influences and a joyful contribution to a nationally celebrated public art initiative.
Two Sparrows Cupcakes & Coffee Bar
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
Two Sparrows Cupcakes and Coffee Bar, a new café located in Woodgrove Mall, approached Humanity in Art to develop a site-specific mural that would reflect their brand values and enhance the customer experience. The goal was to bring warmth, personality, and visual storytelling into the space using art that could connect with both casual visitors and loyal patrons.
Creative Challenge
The mural surface presented technical complexity. The café’s interior walls were constructed from raw wood lined with small vertical stakes, creating a deeply textured, irregular canvas not suited to conventional mural practices. Humanity in Art also needed to shift their medium: spray paint, often used in exterior public art, was not an option in this indoor environment.
Artistic Approach
Responding to both material and environmental constraints, the artists adapted their approach by using interior latex paint and leaning into hand-painted pattern work. Over several evening sessions, they developed a layered design that incorporated bold patterning, subtle symbolism, and whimsical visual elements aligned with the café’s branding.
Justice-themed icons were integrated throughout the mural in recognition of the owner’s personal values. Playful cartoon-style accents added levity and charm to the space, contributing to a sense of delight that matched the café’s cupcake-forward identity.
Impact
The final mural installation transformed the café into a bright and inviting destination. The artwork added visual cohesion, storytelling, and warmth to a compact space—reinforcing the café’s mission to serve with personality and purpose. Visitors now enjoy a textured, dynamic interior that invites curiosity and complements the culinary experience.
Two Sparrows Cupcakes and Coffee Bar has since established itself as a vibrant space in the mall, distinguished by its distinctive interior and community-minded atmosphere.
Project Overview
Two Sparrows Cupcakes and Coffee Bar, a new café located in Woodgrove Mall, approached Humanity in Art to develop a site-specific mural that would reflect their brand values and enhance the customer experience. The goal was to bring warmth, personality, and visual storytelling into the space using art that could connect with both casual visitors and loyal patrons.
Creative Challenge
The mural surface presented technical complexity. The café’s interior walls were constructed from raw wood lined with small vertical stakes, creating a deeply textured, irregular canvas not suited to conventional mural practices. Humanity in Art also needed to shift their medium: spray paint, often used in exterior public art, was not an option in this indoor environment.
Artistic Approach
Responding to both material and environmental constraints, the artists adapted their approach by using interior latex paint and leaning into hand-painted pattern work. Over several evening sessions, they developed a layered design that incorporated bold patterning, subtle symbolism, and whimsical visual elements aligned with the café’s branding.
Justice-themed icons were integrated throughout the mural in recognition of the owner’s personal values. Playful cartoon-style accents added levity and charm to the space, contributing to a sense of delight that matched the café’s cupcake-forward identity.
Impact
The final mural installation transformed the café into a bright and inviting destination. The artwork added visual cohesion, storytelling, and warmth to a compact space—reinforcing the café’s mission to serve with personality and purpose. Visitors now enjoy a textured, dynamic interior that invites curiosity and complements the culinary experience.
Two Sparrows Cupcakes and Coffee Bar has since established itself as a vibrant space in the mall, distinguished by its distinctive interior and community-minded atmosphere.
Destination Home
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2021, Humanity in Art was commissioned to create a site-specific mural celebrating a family's global journey. After living in multiple international cities, the clients settled on Vancouver Island and sought a permanent artistic tribute to their travels, experiences, and shared growth.
Installed in the home’s fitness room, the mural was envisioned as a visual narrative, tying together iconic elements of Chicago, Hong Kong, and British Columbia while reflecting the emotional landscape of transition, adventure, and belonging.
Design Process
Humanity in Art engaged the family in a collaborative storytelling phase, gathering visual references and personal anecdotes to inform the mural’s design. Through guided conversation and concept development, key imagery was selected to represent each location’s essence.
The chosen palette featured bold primary tones applied in latex and acrylic paint, layered with metallic pigment to suggest depth and luminosity. Compositionally, the mural blended architectural and natural symbols from each city, framed by motifs evoking Vancouver Island’s landscape and the serenity of a settled home.
Technical Approach
The mural was executed directly onto the fitness room walls, tailored to the room’s proportions and sightlines. Metallic highlights were used to create dimension and accent key focal points. The design was painted by hand over several studio visits, with special attention paid to capturing emotion through shape, scale, and gesture.
Outcome
The final mural transformed the fitness room into an intimate gallery of family heritage, offering daily inspiration through colour, memory, and place. It stands as a meaningful fusion of private experience and public artistry, and exemplifies how storytelling can shape residential space.
Destination Home remains a highlight within Humanity in Art’s custom commission portfolio, illustrating the team’s ability to translate personal history into visual form.
Project Overview
In 2021, Humanity in Art was commissioned to create a site-specific mural celebrating a family's global journey. After living in multiple international cities, the clients settled on Vancouver Island and sought a permanent artistic tribute to their travels, experiences, and shared growth.
Installed in the home’s fitness room, the mural was envisioned as a visual narrative, tying together iconic elements of Chicago, Hong Kong, and British Columbia while reflecting the emotional landscape of transition, adventure, and belonging.
Design Process
Humanity in Art engaged the family in a collaborative storytelling phase, gathering visual references and personal anecdotes to inform the mural’s design. Through guided conversation and concept development, key imagery was selected to represent each location’s essence.
The chosen palette featured bold primary tones applied in latex and acrylic paint, layered with metallic pigment to suggest depth and luminosity. Compositionally, the mural blended architectural and natural symbols from each city, framed by motifs evoking Vancouver Island’s landscape and the serenity of a settled home.
Technical Approach
The mural was executed directly onto the fitness room walls, tailored to the room’s proportions and sightlines. Metallic highlights were used to create dimension and accent key focal points. The design was painted by hand over several studio visits, with special attention paid to capturing emotion through shape, scale, and gesture.
Outcome
The final mural transformed the fitness room into an intimate gallery of family heritage, offering daily inspiration through colour, memory, and place. It stands as a meaningful fusion of private experience and public artistry, and exemplifies how storytelling can shape residential space.
Destination Home remains a highlight within Humanity in Art’s custom commission portfolio, illustrating the team’s ability to translate personal history into visual form.
Community Painting at VIUSU FROSH
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2022, Humanity in Art was invited by the Vancouver Island University Students’ Union to lead a community painting activity during their paint-themed FROSH day. The objective was to create an inclusive art experience that encouraged spontaneous participation, creative expression, and cross-campus connection.
Held as part of VIUSU’s welcoming activities for new and returning students, the project offered a low-barrier opportunity for attendees to co-create a vibrant canvas celebrating togetherness.
Creative Strategy
Humanity in Art designed a participatory format using marker paints on a wide canvas banner. This medium enabled accessibility for students of all abilities and artistic comfort levels, removing pressure and allowing for uninhibited expression.
The team intentionally avoided complex instructions or restrictive design parameters, instead inviting students to paint messages of love, positivity, and personal reflection. The result was a collaborative mural overflowing with colour, joy, and encouragement.
Community Engagement
Over the course of the event, students who had never painted before joined seasoned creatives in co-creating a visual banner of a sturgeon.
Outcome
The completed banner became a symbol of inclusive community-building and creative play at VIU. It demonstrated the power of art to activate campus culture and provided a platform where every student, regardless of artistic skill, could contribute meaningfully.
This project remains a highlight in Humanity in Art’s community engagement portfolio and continues to inform future approaches to low-barrier artistic activation.
Project Overview
In 2022, Humanity in Art was invited by the Vancouver Island University Students’ Union to lead a community painting activity during their paint-themed FROSH day. The objective was to create an inclusive art experience that encouraged spontaneous participation, creative expression, and cross-campus connection.
Held as part of VIUSU’s welcoming activities for new and returning students, the project offered a low-barrier opportunity for attendees to co-create a vibrant canvas celebrating togetherness.
Creative Strategy
Humanity in Art designed a participatory format using marker paints on a wide canvas banner. This medium enabled accessibility for students of all abilities and artistic comfort levels, removing pressure and allowing for uninhibited expression.
The team intentionally avoided complex instructions or restrictive design parameters, instead inviting students to paint messages of love, positivity, and personal reflection. The result was a collaborative mural overflowing with colour, joy, and encouragement.
Community Engagement
Over the course of the event, students who had never painted before joined seasoned creatives in co-creating a visual banner of a sturgeon.
Outcome
The completed banner became a symbol of inclusive community-building and creative play at VIU. It demonstrated the power of art to activate campus culture and provided a platform where every student, regardless of artistic skill, could contribute meaningfully.
This project remains a highlight in Humanity in Art’s community engagement portfolio and continues to inform future approaches to low-barrier artistic activation.
Dawn to Dusk
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2021, Literacy Central Vancouver Island commissioned Humanity in Art to design a site-specific mural to celebrate its 30th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign. The client’s vision was to envelop the second-floor balcony of their downtown bookstore with a celestial narrative, depicting the sky’s gradual transformation from bright daylight to starlit night.
The mural would function as both artwork and architectural statement, visually aligning with the organization’s motto: Literacy is our Legacy. The concept aimed to reflect not just the passage of time, but the lifelong journey of learning and discovery that literacy unlocks.
Design Strategy
Humanity in Art translated the theme into a continuous horizon, blending sky tones from warm sunrise palettes to deep night hues. The mural’s progression invites viewers to interpret literacy as a daily rhythm, full of imagination, transition, and reflection.
A key feature of the design was its donor integration. The mural provided dedicated display space for custom-painted book spines, each representing a campaign donor. These elements were incorporated in a visually cohesive manner, blending seamlessly into the mural’s composition while serving a functional fundraising role.
Challenges
The architectural layout required precise planning. The mural needed to wrap across multiple surfaces with visual continuity and remain legible from street level and entrance walkways. Timing was also critical, as the piece was scheduled to coincide with the kickoff of the anniversary campaign.
Outcomes
The completed From Dawn to Dusk mural became a permanent tribute to Literacy Central Vancouver Island’s role in advancing community learning. It remains a visual landmark for passersby and bookstore visitors and continues to support donor visibility in a creative, mission-aligned format.
Project Overview
In 2021, Literacy Central Vancouver Island commissioned Humanity in Art to design a site-specific mural to celebrate its 30th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign. The client’s vision was to envelop the second-floor balcony of their downtown bookstore with a celestial narrative, depicting the sky’s gradual transformation from bright daylight to starlit night.
The mural would function as both artwork and architectural statement, visually aligning with the organization’s motto: Literacy is our Legacy. The concept aimed to reflect not just the passage of time, but the lifelong journey of learning and discovery that literacy unlocks.
Design Strategy
Humanity in Art translated the theme into a continuous horizon, blending sky tones from warm sunrise palettes to deep night hues. The mural’s progression invites viewers to interpret literacy as a daily rhythm, full of imagination, transition, and reflection.
A key feature of the design was its donor integration. The mural provided dedicated display space for custom-painted book spines, each representing a campaign donor. These elements were incorporated in a visually cohesive manner, blending seamlessly into the mural’s composition while serving a functional fundraising role.
Challenges
The architectural layout required precise planning. The mural needed to wrap across multiple surfaces with visual continuity and remain legible from street level and entrance walkways. Timing was also critical, as the piece was scheduled to coincide with the kickoff of the anniversary campaign.
Outcomes
The completed From Dawn to Dusk mural became a permanent tribute to Literacy Central Vancouver Island’s role in advancing community learning. It remains a visual landmark for passersby and bookstore visitors and continues to support donor visibility in a creative, mission-aligned format.
One Song Staircase
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Nanaimo commissioned Humanity in Art to design a public art piece that could honour the community's shared experience and offer space for reflection and hope. Located on an outdoor staircase at the rear of Diana Krall Plaza, the mural transformed an underused passageway into a vibrant artwork and poetic installation.
The project was conceived as a tribute to unity, distance, and emotional connectivity during pandemic isolation. Humanity in Art partnered with Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate Tina Biello, drawing inspiration and text from her piece One Song.
Concept & Collaboration
The mural’s central concept stemmed from Biello’s writing, with the final line of her poem recorded in spoken word. Humanity in Art translated the audio recording of artist Lauren Semple’s voice into a radial soundwave graphic, positioned as the heart of the staircase mural.
Typography from the poem was integrated throughout the design, alongside flowing lines and colour gradients that mimicked sound travel and emotional reverberation. The staircase was painted in vivid tones that played across concrete contours, symbolizing both separation and shared journey, echoing the dynamics of social distancing.
Execution
The mural was completed on-site using exterior-grade paints suitable for high-traffic public surfaces. The artists adapted their design to account for angled steps, vertical risers, and the architectural rhythm of the stairway. The installation balanced aesthetic beauty with thematic depth, accessible to casual viewers while rewarding closer engagement.
Impact
The One Song Staircase activated a formerly overlooked space within Nanaimo’s Arts District, offering a visual and poetic experience grounded in community memory. It received public recognition for its emotional resonance and creative use of soundwave translation, becoming a symbolic landmark of local resilience.
The mural remains publicly accessible and continues to serve as a reminder of how art can foster reflection and connection, even across physical distance.
Project Overview
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Nanaimo commissioned Humanity in Art to design a public art piece that could honour the community's shared experience and offer space for reflection and hope. Located on an outdoor staircase at the rear of Diana Krall Plaza, the mural transformed an underused passageway into a vibrant artwork and poetic installation.
The project was conceived as a tribute to unity, distance, and emotional connectivity during pandemic isolation. Humanity in Art partnered with Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate Tina Biello, drawing inspiration and text from her piece One Song.
Concept & Collaboration
The mural’s central concept stemmed from Biello’s writing, with the final line of her poem recorded in spoken word. Humanity in Art translated the audio recording of artist Lauren Semple’s voice into a radial soundwave graphic, positioned as the heart of the staircase mural.
Typography from the poem was integrated throughout the design, alongside flowing lines and colour gradients that mimicked sound travel and emotional reverberation. The staircase was painted in vivid tones that played across concrete contours, symbolizing both separation and shared journey, echoing the dynamics of social distancing.
Execution
The mural was completed on-site using exterior-grade paints suitable for high-traffic public surfaces. The artists adapted their design to account for angled steps, vertical risers, and the architectural rhythm of the stairway. The installation balanced aesthetic beauty with thematic depth, accessible to casual viewers while rewarding closer engagement.
Impact
The One Song Staircase activated a formerly overlooked space within Nanaimo’s Arts District, offering a visual and poetic experience grounded in community memory. It received public recognition for its emotional resonance and creative use of soundwave translation, becoming a symbolic landmark of local resilience.
The mural remains publicly accessible and continues to serve as a reminder of how art can foster reflection and connection, even across physical distance.
West Coast Kiaro
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2020, KIARO Cannabis commissioned Humanity in Art to create a custom mural for the launch of their new retail space in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Known for integrating local artistry into their store environments, Kiaro partnered with the artists to infuse corporate branding with distinctive west coast imagery. The mural was designed to reflect both the company's visual identity and the regional landscape where the store is located.
Creative Approach
Humanity in Art collaborated directly with Kiaro’s Alberta-based marketing team to ensure alignment with the brand’s established visual guidelines. The design retained the signature Kiaro “K” as a central motif, surrounded by layered elements drawn from British Columbia’s coastal environment.
To bridge brand with place, the mural featured a swirling Pacific Ocean pattern, a stylized lighthouse, and framing from the cross-section of a cedar tree. These components captured the essence of west coast living and anchored the artwork in the local cultural geography.
Execution
The mural was executed on-site using a combination of acrylic and mixed media, carefully integrating visual contrast and compositional hierarchy. Placement within the storefront was carefully selected to maximize visibility and complement the interior layout, thereby helping to define the customer experience while reinforcing Kiaro’s community-integrated ethos.
Outcome
The finished piece delivered on multiple fronts, enhancing the store’s atmosphere, supporting brand messaging, and offering customers a visual connection to place.
Project Overview
In 2020, KIARO Cannabis commissioned Humanity in Art to create a custom mural for the launch of their new retail space in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Known for integrating local artistry into their store environments, Kiaro partnered with the artists to infuse corporate branding with distinctive west coast imagery. The mural was designed to reflect both the company's visual identity and the regional landscape where the store is located.
Creative Approach
Humanity in Art collaborated directly with Kiaro’s Alberta-based marketing team to ensure alignment with the brand’s established visual guidelines. The design retained the signature Kiaro “K” as a central motif, surrounded by layered elements drawn from British Columbia’s coastal environment.
To bridge brand with place, the mural featured a swirling Pacific Ocean pattern, a stylized lighthouse, and framing from the cross-section of a cedar tree. These components captured the essence of west coast living and anchored the artwork in the local cultural geography.
Execution
The mural was executed on-site using a combination of acrylic and mixed media, carefully integrating visual contrast and compositional hierarchy. Placement within the storefront was carefully selected to maximize visibility and complement the interior layout, thereby helping to define the customer experience while reinforcing Kiaro’s community-integrated ethos.
Outcome
The finished piece delivered on multiple fronts, enhancing the store’s atmosphere, supporting brand messaging, and offering customers a visual connection to place.
Prismatic Pollinators
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2018, Humanity in Art was invited by the Hub City Mural Society to participate in the Urban Art Gallery Project, a revitalization effort aimed at transforming neglected urban walls into vibrant public artworks. For a blank exterior wall on Wallace Street, a pollinator theme was selected to reflect ecological beauty and environmental interconnection.
The resulting mural depicted bees, hummingbirds, honeycombs, and flowering plants in a prismatic, movement-driven composition, bringing dynamic natural imagery into the heart of the cityscape.
Design Intent
The mural’s concept focused on celebrating pollinators as symbols of regeneration. Vibrant tones and layered detailing conveyed both motion and fragility, drawing attention to species essential for global biodiversity.
Pollinators were rendered with stylized forms, creating visual rhythm across the mural space.
Site Challenges
Wallace Street’s narrow profile and continuous traffic presented significant logistical hurdles during installation. To protect nearby vehicles, Humanity in Art constructed a makeshift "paint booth" using temporary barriers, ensuring safe conditions for both the mural and the public surroundings.
The street’s high visibility also invited spontaneous community interaction, further animating the project.
Community Engagement
Throughout the painting process, the artists engaged local residents and business owners, sharing conversations, stories, and sweets. Beekeepers from Fredrich’s Honey contributed honey tastings onsite, underscoring the mural’s thematic resonance with the community.
This project was fully volunteer-driven, with Humanity in Art donating their time and artistry to contribute to neighbourhood beautification and ecological dialogue.
Outcome
The completed mural transformed a neglected wall into a focal point of colour, awareness, and curiosity. It became a visual celebration of nature’s delicate brilliance and a landmark of community-led placemaking.
Project Overview
In 2018, Humanity in Art was invited by the Hub City Mural Society to participate in the Urban Art Gallery Project, a revitalization effort aimed at transforming neglected urban walls into vibrant public artworks. For a blank exterior wall on Wallace Street, a pollinator theme was selected to reflect ecological beauty and environmental interconnection.
The resulting mural depicted bees, hummingbirds, honeycombs, and flowering plants in a prismatic, movement-driven composition, bringing dynamic natural imagery into the heart of the cityscape.
Design Intent
The mural’s concept focused on celebrating pollinators as symbols of regeneration. Vibrant tones and layered detailing conveyed both motion and fragility, drawing attention to species essential for global biodiversity.
Pollinators were rendered with stylized forms, creating visual rhythm across the mural space.
Site Challenges
Wallace Street’s narrow profile and continuous traffic presented significant logistical hurdles during installation. To protect nearby vehicles, Humanity in Art constructed a makeshift "paint booth" using temporary barriers, ensuring safe conditions for both the mural and the public surroundings.
The street’s high visibility also invited spontaneous community interaction, further animating the project.
Community Engagement
Throughout the painting process, the artists engaged local residents and business owners, sharing conversations, stories, and sweets. Beekeepers from Fredrich’s Honey contributed honey tastings onsite, underscoring the mural’s thematic resonance with the community.
This project was fully volunteer-driven, with Humanity in Art donating their time and artistry to contribute to neighbourhood beautification and ecological dialogue.
Outcome
The completed mural transformed a neglected wall into a focal point of colour, awareness, and curiosity. It became a visual celebration of nature’s delicate brilliance and a landmark of community-led placemaking.
West Coast Wanderlust
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2020, Humanity in Art was commissioned by the Painted Turtle Guest House to develop an interior mural reflecting the essence of Vancouver Island’s coastal landscape. Designed for the shared common area, the mural aimed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space and offer a sense of place for both long-term residents and traveling guests.
Creative Concept
Drawing inspiration from the shifting tides and rhythmic flow of the Salish Sea, the mural expresses west coast movement and connection. The composition follows abstract currents and wave patterns, culminating in a central compass rose rendered in silver chrome.
The design was intended to evoke both physical geography and emotional navigation, connecting visitors to the maritime identity of Vancouver Island.
Technical Execution
Humanity in Art worked with a richly contrasting palette, using interior latex paint to establish depth and movement across the previously beige surface. Pebeo oil paint marker was applied for fine detailing and metallic emphasis. The mural was executed onsite, with careful attention to the light dynamics and spatial balance of the common room.
Outcome
The finished mural redefined the guesthouse’s communal area, offering a bright, immersive visual that complements the hospitality experience. It serves as a welcome point for travelers and a conversation piece that celebrates the island’s coastal character.
Project Overview
In 2020, Humanity in Art was commissioned by the Painted Turtle Guest House to develop an interior mural reflecting the essence of Vancouver Island’s coastal landscape. Designed for the shared common area, the mural aimed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space and offer a sense of place for both long-term residents and traveling guests.
Creative Concept
Drawing inspiration from the shifting tides and rhythmic flow of the Salish Sea, the mural expresses west coast movement and connection. The composition follows abstract currents and wave patterns, culminating in a central compass rose rendered in silver chrome.
The design was intended to evoke both physical geography and emotional navigation, connecting visitors to the maritime identity of Vancouver Island.
Technical Execution
Humanity in Art worked with a richly contrasting palette, using interior latex paint to establish depth and movement across the previously beige surface. Pebeo oil paint marker was applied for fine detailing and metallic emphasis. The mural was executed onsite, with careful attention to the light dynamics and spatial balance of the common room.
Outcome
The finished mural redefined the guesthouse’s communal area, offering a bright, immersive visual that complements the hospitality experience. It serves as a welcome point for travelers and a conversation piece that celebrates the island’s coastal character.
VIUSU 50th Birthday Live Painting
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2019, Humanity in Art was invited by the Vancouver Island University Students’ Union (VIUSU) to produce a commemorative mural as part of their 50th Anniversary FROSH celebration. Held outdoors on campus, the event highlighted VIUSU’s decades-long commitment to supporting students through services, events, and advocacy. The artwork was commissioned as a live performance piece and a lasting visual tribute to those values.
Event Execution & Challenges
The installation was created on-site during the event in unexpectedly heavy rain, posing significant physical and environmental hurdles. Despite these conditions, the mural was completed in full view of attendees, turning its creation into an energetic, shared experience.
Montana spray paint was used to render the design on wood panels, chosen for its bold colour saturation and ability to withstand damp conditions.
Creative Response
The mural visualized VIUSU’s three pillars: services, events, and advocacy, through graphic composition and layered symbolic imagery. The design emphasized unity, student empowerment, and community celebration, with visual cues echoing VIU’s institutional colours and student-led energy.
The live painting format invited real-time engagement and added a dynamic performative aspect to the piece, reinforcing VIUSU’s interactive role in campus life.
Impact
The completed mural became a centerpiece for the FROSH anniversary event and remains part of VIUSU’s legacy celebration. It stands as a testament not only to the union’s enduring mission but also to artistic resilience and collaboration under pressure.
Project Overview
In 2019, Humanity in Art was invited by the Vancouver Island University Students’ Union (VIUSU) to produce a commemorative mural as part of their 50th Anniversary FROSH celebration. Held outdoors on campus, the event highlighted VIUSU’s decades-long commitment to supporting students through services, events, and advocacy. The artwork was commissioned as a live performance piece and a lasting visual tribute to those values.
Event Execution & Challenges
The installation was created on-site during the event in unexpectedly heavy rain, posing significant physical and environmental hurdles. Despite these conditions, the mural was completed in full view of attendees, turning its creation into an energetic, shared experience.
Montana spray paint was used to render the design on wood panels, chosen for its bold colour saturation and ability to withstand damp conditions.
Creative Response
The mural visualized VIUSU’s three pillars: services, events, and advocacy, through graphic composition and layered symbolic imagery. The design emphasized unity, student empowerment, and community celebration, with visual cues echoing VIU’s institutional colours and student-led energy.
The live painting format invited real-time engagement and added a dynamic performative aspect to the piece, reinforcing VIUSU’s interactive role in campus life.
Impact
The completed mural became a centerpiece for the FROSH anniversary event and remains part of VIUSU’s legacy celebration. It stands as a testament not only to the union’s enduring mission but also to artistic resilience and collaboration under pressure.
Aspengrove School Spirit
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
Aspengrove School commissioned Humanity in Art to create a permanent exterior mural celebrating school spirit, student creativity, and institutional values. The site, a weathered water tower on campus grounds, presented both a physical challenge and a creative opportunity to engage students in a meaningful, large-scale art process.
Initiated by Aspengrove art teacher Kristina Jones, the project brought upper-year art students into the design development phase, aligning with the school’s commitment to experiential learning and creative exploration.
Collaborative Design Process
Humanity in Art led a hands-on workshop focused on mural fundamentals and design translation for architectural surfaces. Students discussed the unique demands of mural-scale painting and explored how Aspengrove’s official colours: crimson, gold, and navy, could serve as thematic anchors.
Over subsequent weeks, student cohorts generated multiple design proposals for the water tower mural. The final concept, selected by school administration, underwent minimal adjustments before being prepared for installation.
Execution
Using a boom lift to access the curved metal surface, Humanity in Art completed the mural using alkyd and Montana spray paints. The final composition was rendered freehand, incorporating abstract and emblematic elements representing Aspengrove’s core values: Curiosity, Citizenship, Courage, Creativity, and Compassion.
The visual metaphor of interconnected aspen tree saplings served as a central motif, emphasizing the idea of growth through shared roots and community nourishment.
Outcome
The completed mural transformed the water tower from a utilitarian structure into a vibrant campus landmark. It symbolizes both the school’s values and the collaborative spirit behind its creation. The project fostered intergenerational connection and empowered students to contribute visibly to their learning environment.
Project Overview
Aspengrove School commissioned Humanity in Art to create a permanent exterior mural celebrating school spirit, student creativity, and institutional values. The site, a weathered water tower on campus grounds, presented both a physical challenge and a creative opportunity to engage students in a meaningful, large-scale art process.
Initiated by Aspengrove art teacher Kristina Jones, the project brought upper-year art students into the design development phase, aligning with the school’s commitment to experiential learning and creative exploration.
Collaborative Design Process
Humanity in Art led a hands-on workshop focused on mural fundamentals and design translation for architectural surfaces. Students discussed the unique demands of mural-scale painting and explored how Aspengrove’s official colours: crimson, gold, and navy, could serve as thematic anchors.
Over subsequent weeks, student cohorts generated multiple design proposals for the water tower mural. The final concept, selected by school administration, underwent minimal adjustments before being prepared for installation.
Execution
Using a boom lift to access the curved metal surface, Humanity in Art completed the mural using alkyd and Montana spray paints. The final composition was rendered freehand, incorporating abstract and emblematic elements representing Aspengrove’s core values: Curiosity, Citizenship, Courage, Creativity, and Compassion.
The visual metaphor of interconnected aspen tree saplings served as a central motif, emphasizing the idea of growth through shared roots and community nourishment.
Outcome
The completed mural transformed the water tower from a utilitarian structure into a vibrant campus landmark. It symbolizes both the school’s values and the collaborative spirit behind its creation. The project fostered intergenerational connection and empowered students to contribute visibly to their learning environment.
Hope Mural
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2020, Humanity in Art was approached by the Wesley Street Pediatric Clinic to produce an exterior mural that would inspire optimism within the neighbourhood and bring visual comfort to local families. The request came at a time when the Wesley Street homeless encampment was expanding, and many residents, including frontline workers, businesses, and unhoused individuals, were experiencing heightened mental health stressors.
The mural was intended to serve as both a symbol of healing and a message of community-wide empathy, positioned in a location directly adjacent to an active pediatric care space.
Design Intent
The artwork portrays two children in a gesture of gentle connection and care. A heart-shaped balloon floats between them, paying tribute to healthcare professionals and social service workers whose contributions were especially vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. A vibrant blue butterfly, rendered in soft detail, symbolizes transformation and hope for Nanaimo’s collective future.
The composition was deliberately soft and emotionally resonant, designed to appeal to children and families while offering the surrounding neighbourhood a reminder of compassion, growth, and shared humanity.
Technical Execution
The installation faced several physical constraints, including uneven ground and a tall wall plane. Humanity in Art adapted their materials and setup, employing elevation tools and planning for visual proportion across varied sightlines. A combination of aerosol and brush-based applications ensured clarity and cohesion on the building’s textured façade.
Care was taken to balance playful tones with symbolic gravity, resulting in a mural that held emotional depth without appearing overly somber or abstract for younger viewers.
Outcome
The completed mural elevated the exterior of the Wesley Street Clinic while offering a visible gesture of kindness to the broader downtown community. It became a gentle landmark of care and optimism during a time of uncertainty and remains publicly accessible to passersby and clinic visitors alike.
Project Overview
In 2020, Humanity in Art was approached by the Wesley Street Pediatric Clinic to produce an exterior mural that would inspire optimism within the neighbourhood and bring visual comfort to local families. The request came at a time when the Wesley Street homeless encampment was expanding, and many residents, including frontline workers, businesses, and unhoused individuals, were experiencing heightened mental health stressors.
The mural was intended to serve as both a symbol of healing and a message of community-wide empathy, positioned in a location directly adjacent to an active pediatric care space.
Design Intent
The artwork portrays two children in a gesture of gentle connection and care. A heart-shaped balloon floats between them, paying tribute to healthcare professionals and social service workers whose contributions were especially vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. A vibrant blue butterfly, rendered in soft detail, symbolizes transformation and hope for Nanaimo’s collective future.
The composition was deliberately soft and emotionally resonant, designed to appeal to children and families while offering the surrounding neighbourhood a reminder of compassion, growth, and shared humanity.
Technical Execution
The installation faced several physical constraints, including uneven ground and a tall wall plane. Humanity in Art adapted their materials and setup, employing elevation tools and planning for visual proportion across varied sightlines. A combination of aerosol and brush-based applications ensured clarity and cohesion on the building’s textured façade.
Care was taken to balance playful tones with symbolic gravity, resulting in a mural that held emotional depth without appearing overly somber or abstract for younger viewers.
Outcome
The completed mural elevated the exterior of the Wesley Street Clinic while offering a visible gesture of kindness to the broader downtown community. It became a gentle landmark of care and optimism during a time of uncertainty and remains publicly accessible to passersby and clinic visitors alike.
Bookshelf Cats
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2022, Humanity in Art collaborated with Literacy Central Vancouver Island for the second time to create a site-specific mural celebrating the organization’s dual love of books and cats. The mural was designed to visually reflect the client’s community-oriented mission and add warmth and vibrancy to a small, framed section of their building façade.
Design Brief & Goals
The client requested a whimsical artwork that would attract public attention while aligning with their identity as an inclusive literacy organization. The theme centered on books as portals to imagination, paired with playful feline imagery to evoke comfort and curiosity.
Challenges & Materials
The existing wall required surface repairs prior to painting and posed a technical challenge due to its deep stucco texture. Humanity in Art adapted their painting methods to accommodate the uneven substrate, ensuring that key design elements remained legible and cohesive despite dimensional irregularities.
Artistic Execution
The final mural features an illustrated bookshelf surrounded by endearing cats, each rendered in a friendly, graphic style. The composition balances visual rhythm and narrative, inviting passersby to pause and engage with the imagery. The design aims to be both cheerful and accessible, encouraging public interaction while affirming the library’s commitment to community storytelling.
Impact
The mural added new visibility to the exterior of Literacy Central Vancouver Island and contributed to placemaking efforts in downtown Nanaimo. Staff, patrons have positively received the artwork, and the general public, serving as a creative bridge between literacy programming and street-level art engagement.
The Bookshelf Cats mural remains publicly viewable on the exterior of Literacy Central Vancouver Islands building in Downtown Nanaimo.
Project Overview
In 2022, Humanity in Art collaborated with Literacy Central Vancouver Island for the second time to create a site-specific mural celebrating the organization’s dual love of books and cats. The mural was designed to visually reflect the client’s community-oriented mission and add warmth and vibrancy to a small, framed section of their building façade.
Design Brief & Goals
The client requested a whimsical artwork that would attract public attention while aligning with their identity as an inclusive literacy organization. The theme centered on books as portals to imagination, paired with playful feline imagery to evoke comfort and curiosity.
Challenges & Materials
The existing wall required surface repairs prior to painting and posed a technical challenge due to its deep stucco texture. Humanity in Art adapted their painting methods to accommodate the uneven substrate, ensuring that key design elements remained legible and cohesive despite dimensional irregularities.
Artistic Execution
The final mural features an illustrated bookshelf surrounded by endearing cats, each rendered in a friendly, graphic style. The composition balances visual rhythm and narrative, inviting passersby to pause and engage with the imagery. The design aims to be both cheerful and accessible, encouraging public interaction while affirming the library’s commitment to community storytelling.
Impact
The mural added new visibility to the exterior of Literacy Central Vancouver Island and contributed to placemaking efforts in downtown Nanaimo. Staff, patrons have positively received the artwork, and the general public, serving as a creative bridge between literacy programming and street-level art engagement.
The Bookshelf Cats mural remains publicly viewable on the exterior of Literacy Central Vancouver Islands building in Downtown Nanaimo.
OV Arts Centre Rebrand
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In response to the shifting cultural landscape brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Harbour City Theatre Alliance initiated a strategic rebranding process, emerging as the OV Arts Centre in 2021. The transformation was part of a larger vision to broaden their reach and deepen their commitment to community-based arts and culture.
As part of the rebrand, Humanity in Art was commissioned to design and produce an exterior business sign that would embody the organization's new identity. The sign was intended to be both practical and symbolic, serving as a visual anchor and statement of renewed purpose.
Design Approach
The design concept prioritized visibility, warmth, and contemporary appeal. Humanity in Art developed a bold colour palette featuring vibrant orange and yellow tones, chosen to convey energy, creativity, and optimism. These hues were contrasted against a deep grey backdrop for maximum legibility and impact.
While the sign fulfilled functional requirements for branding and identification, it also operated as a sculptural gesture, designed to complement the building’s architecture and draw attention from foot and vehicle traffic.
Execution
The sign was fabricated to meet exterior durability standards and installed with precision to ensure visibility and longevity. Its placement served as a first impression for visitors and affirmed the OV Arts Centre’s presence as an inclusive, forward-thinking arts hub.
Outcome
The completed signage marked a pivotal moment in the organization's evolution, offering a clear public-facing statement aligned with its new name and expanded programming. It remains a successful integration of business identity and artistic sensibility, serving as both landmark and invitation.
Project Overview
In response to the shifting cultural landscape brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Harbour City Theatre Alliance initiated a strategic rebranding process, emerging as the OV Arts Centre in 2021. The transformation was part of a larger vision to broaden their reach and deepen their commitment to community-based arts and culture.
As part of the rebrand, Humanity in Art was commissioned to design and produce an exterior business sign that would embody the organization's new identity. The sign was intended to be both practical and symbolic, serving as a visual anchor and statement of renewed purpose.
Design Approach
The design concept prioritized visibility, warmth, and contemporary appeal. Humanity in Art developed a bold colour palette featuring vibrant orange and yellow tones, chosen to convey energy, creativity, and optimism. These hues were contrasted against a deep grey backdrop for maximum legibility and impact.
While the sign fulfilled functional requirements for branding and identification, it also operated as a sculptural gesture, designed to complement the building’s architecture and draw attention from foot and vehicle traffic.
Execution
The sign was fabricated to meet exterior durability standards and installed with precision to ensure visibility and longevity. Its placement served as a first impression for visitors and affirmed the OV Arts Centre’s presence as an inclusive, forward-thinking arts hub.
Outcome
The completed signage marked a pivotal moment in the organization's evolution, offering a clear public-facing statement aligned with its new name and expanded programming. It remains a successful integration of business identity and artistic sensibility, serving as both landmark and invitation.
Memorial Poppies: Community Mural
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In partnership with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256, Humanity in Art led a large-scale mural initiative aimed at honouring veterans, strengthening intergenerational dialogue, and activating a previously underutilized public space. The Legion sought to transform the rear-facing wall of their building into a welcoming, visible symbol of community connection—one that would invite engagement and reflect its values of service and remembrance.
Creative Challenge
The mural surface—a 100-foot cinderblock wall with variegated texture—presented unique design and technical challenges. Initial plans to collaborate with local student designers were disrupted by COVID-19-related school closures, prompting a shift toward a model that prioritized accessibility and broader participation from the public.
Artistic Approach
Humanity in Art developed a graphic-style concept featuring large-scale poppies, chosen for their symbolic resonance with remembrance and gratitude. The design allowed artists of all skill levels to participate. The event was held over two days and welcomed contributions from individuals aged 18 months to 80+, including students, families, veterans, and seniors. The participatory format fostered spontaneous community connections, with many attendees returning on the second day.
Following the public painting event, the artists completed the mural by refining outlines and bringing cohesion to the visual language. The final work spans the full length of the Legion’s rear wall and functions as both commemorative artwork and shared cultural space.
Outcomes
The Memorial Mural Project reflects Humanity in Art’s commitment to inclusive, collaborative public art and demonstrates how creative placemaking can unite diverse communities. The installation continues to generate foot traffic, spark local dialogue, and serve as a visual tribute to veteran service and community resilience.
The mural is publicly accessible at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 Mt Benson in Nanaimo.
Project Overview
In partnership with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256, Humanity in Art led a large-scale mural initiative aimed at honouring veterans, strengthening intergenerational dialogue, and activating a previously underutilized public space. The Legion sought to transform the rear-facing wall of their building into a welcoming, visible symbol of community connection—one that would invite engagement and reflect its values of service and remembrance.
Creative Challenge
The mural surface—a 100-foot cinderblock wall with variegated texture—presented unique design and technical challenges. Initial plans to collaborate with local student designers were disrupted by COVID-19-related school closures, prompting a shift toward a model that prioritized accessibility and broader participation from the public.
Artistic Approach
Humanity in Art developed a graphic-style concept featuring large-scale poppies, chosen for their symbolic resonance with remembrance and gratitude. The design allowed artists of all skill levels to participate. The event was held over two days and welcomed contributions from individuals aged 18 months to 80+, including students, families, veterans, and seniors. The participatory format fostered spontaneous community connections, with many attendees returning on the second day.
Following the public painting event, the artists completed the mural by refining outlines and bringing cohesion to the visual language. The final work spans the full length of the Legion’s rear wall and functions as both commemorative artwork and shared cultural space.
Outcomes
The Memorial Mural Project reflects Humanity in Art’s commitment to inclusive, collaborative public art and demonstrates how creative placemaking can unite diverse communities. The installation continues to generate foot traffic, spark local dialogue, and serve as a visual tribute to veteran service and community resilience.
The mural is publicly accessible at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 Mt Benson in Nanaimo.
Canadian Legion Memorial Murals Project
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 Mt Benson commissioned Humanity in Art to transform the entirety of their building’s exterior through a multi-year public art initiative. Spanning from 2020 to 2023, the project aimed to create a lasting tribute to veterans, foster intergenerational connection, and visibly affirm the Legion’s role as a pillar of remembrance and civic support.
Humanity in Art was tasked with designing and executing murals across nearly every surface of the building. Each segment reflected themes of service, sacrifice, and history, crafted in collaboration with Legion members and community advisors.
Collaborative Vision & Commemoration
The murals pay tribute to both individual veterans and collective service. Stories shared by Legion members formed the backbone of the visual narrative, ensuring personal and historical accuracy. Prominent features include representations of the four branches of service supported by the Legion, a mentorship scene of a Legionnaire guiding youth, and a dedicated section honouring Snuneymuxw Seaman Raymond Good, whose post-service work in Indigenous leadership was also recognized.
The project also memorializes a critical behind-the-scenes figure: project manager Bill Eubank, whose guidance, knowledge, and advocacy helped shape the vision. Bill’s passing during the project was a profound loss, and his legacy is commemorated within the mural’s intent and spirit.
Execution Challenges
This large-scale installation faced a series of logistical and environmental hurdles. The initial phase began during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by work interruptions due to wildfire smoke, shipping delays for materials, and summer heat conditions. Despite these setbacks, the project progressed steadily, with Humanity in Art completing each mural using aerosol-based techniques to adapt to the architectural contours and outdoor exposure.
Outcome & Impact
The finished mural suite at Branch 256 stands as a comprehensive memorial and educational resource, encouraging public engagement with veteran history and local legacy. Visitors encounter a layered, accessible visual experience that promotes understanding and connection across generations.
The Legion has reported increased visitor interaction and community engagement since installation. The artwork continues to serve as a prominent landmark in Nanaimo and a model of collaboration between artist teams and service organizations.
Project Overview
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 Mt Benson commissioned Humanity in Art to transform the entirety of their building’s exterior through a multi-year public art initiative. Spanning from 2020 to 2023, the project aimed to create a lasting tribute to veterans, foster intergenerational connection, and visibly affirm the Legion’s role as a pillar of remembrance and civic support.
Humanity in Art was tasked with designing and executing murals across nearly every surface of the building. Each segment reflected themes of service, sacrifice, and history, crafted in collaboration with Legion members and community advisors.
Collaborative Vision & Commemoration
The murals pay tribute to both individual veterans and collective service. Stories shared by Legion members formed the backbone of the visual narrative, ensuring personal and historical accuracy. Prominent features include representations of the four branches of service supported by the Legion, a mentorship scene of a Legionnaire guiding youth, and a dedicated section honouring Snuneymuxw Seaman Raymond Good, whose post-service work in Indigenous leadership was also recognized.
The project also memorializes a critical behind-the-scenes figure: project manager Bill Eubank, whose guidance, knowledge, and advocacy helped shape the vision. Bill’s passing during the project was a profound loss, and his legacy is commemorated within the mural’s intent and spirit.
Execution Challenges
This large-scale installation faced a series of logistical and environmental hurdles. The initial phase began during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by work interruptions due to wildfire smoke, shipping delays for materials, and summer heat conditions. Despite these setbacks, the project progressed steadily, with Humanity in Art completing each mural using aerosol-based techniques to adapt to the architectural contours and outdoor exposure.
Outcome & Impact
The finished mural suite at Branch 256 stands as a comprehensive memorial and educational resource, encouraging public engagement with veteran history and local legacy. Visitors encounter a layered, accessible visual experience that promotes understanding and connection across generations.
The Legion has reported increased visitor interaction and community engagement since installation. The artwork continues to serve as a prominent landmark in Nanaimo and a model of collaboration between artist teams and service organizations.
Progressive Pride Flag Glass Mural: Nanaimo
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
Save-On-Foods Woodgrove commissioned humanity in Art to design and install a large-scale mural featuring the Progressive Pride Flag. The goal was to create a lasting visual statement of allyship and inclusivity, one that would be visible year-round and resonate with both staff and customers.
This project marked a significant shift from temporary signage to permanent public artwork, reflecting the store’s commitment to celebrating diversity and offering a visibly affirming environment.
Execution & Technical Approach
The mural was installed on the upper windows at the store’s main entrance, requiring a scissor lift and elevated workspace throughout the painting process. Humanity in Art used interior latex paint applied directly to glass, layering colours to achieve strong opacity while accommodating the challenges of outdoor exposure and drying times.
Each segment of the flag was carefully planned and executed to ensure vibrancy and legibility from street level. The process involved adapting to the conditions of the glass surface while maintaining design integrity across the full elevation.
Creative Intent
The Progressive Pride Flag design symbolizes intersectional inclusion, with each colour representing distinct aspects of identity, history, and hope. Humanity in Art approached the mural as more than a decorative element, treating each brushstroke as a gesture of solidarity, visibility, and resilience.
The completed mural became a bold visual presence, positioned above the entrance as a daily marker of acceptance. It reflects not only the store’s values but also Humanity in Art’s ongoing mission to integrate affirming artwork into public and commercial spaces.
Impact
The mural was embraced by staff and customers alike, sparking conversation and reinforcing the store’s role as an inclusive space. It continues to serve as a meaningful beacon in Nanaimo’s commercial landscape, contributing to broader efforts toward representation and community pride.
Project Overview
Save-On-Foods Woodgrove commissioned humanity in Art to design and install a large-scale mural featuring the Progressive Pride Flag. The goal was to create a lasting visual statement of allyship and inclusivity, one that would be visible year-round and resonate with both staff and customers.
This project marked a significant shift from temporary signage to permanent public artwork, reflecting the store’s commitment to celebrating diversity and offering a visibly affirming environment.
Execution & Technical Approach
The mural was installed on the upper windows at the store’s main entrance, requiring a scissor lift and elevated workspace throughout the painting process. Humanity in Art used interior latex paint applied directly to glass, layering colours to achieve strong opacity while accommodating the challenges of outdoor exposure and drying times.
Each segment of the flag was carefully planned and executed to ensure vibrancy and legibility from street level. The process involved adapting to the conditions of the glass surface while maintaining design integrity across the full elevation.
Creative Intent
The Progressive Pride Flag design symbolizes intersectional inclusion, with each colour representing distinct aspects of identity, history, and hope. Humanity in Art approached the mural as more than a decorative element, treating each brushstroke as a gesture of solidarity, visibility, and resilience.
The completed mural became a bold visual presence, positioned above the entrance as a daily marker of acceptance. It reflects not only the store’s values but also Humanity in Art’s ongoing mission to integrate affirming artwork into public and commercial spaces.
Impact
The mural was embraced by staff and customers alike, sparking conversation and reinforcing the store’s role as an inclusive space. It continues to serve as a meaningful beacon in Nanaimo’s commercial landscape, contributing to broader efforts toward representation and community pride.
Progressive Pride Flag Mural: Duncan
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In summer 2022, Save-On-Foods Duncan commissioned Humanity in Art to install a window mural featuring the Progressive Pride Flag along the store’s storefront glass, adjacent to the in-store Starbucks. The goal was to create a bold public-facing symbol of acceptance, inclusion, and 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility, positioned to be seen clearly from the street and to foster a sense of community among both staff and patrons.
Environmental & Technical Challenges
The mural surface presented several practical constraints. The location, storefront glazing in a high-traffic retail environment, required hand painting with materials suitable for glass and ongoing exposure. Additional challenges included residue from mechanical doors, window coatings, and interruptions during active business hours. Humanity in Art selected a vertical orientation to ensure the flag’s visibility and presence from street level.
The team navigated setbacks during execution, including supply shortages and paint adhesion issues. Rather than postpone work, adjustments were made on site, allowing for continued progress and ensuring that the mural remained true to its vision.
Artistic Response
The completed installation featured the full spectrum of the Progressive Pride Flag rendered in vertical bands of vibrant colour. Though modest in footprint, the mural delivered high visibility and emotional resonance, serving as both an artistic gesture and a community statement.
Throughout the painting process, interaction with passersby became a vital part of the experience. Conversations, questions, and words of support turned the worksite into an open dialogue, amplifying the project’s aim to unite through creativity.
Outcomes
The mural helped define Save-On-Foods Duncan as an affirming and inclusive space and added to a growing regional portfolio of artwork reflecting diverse identities and values. Humanity in Art’s ongoing collaboration with Save-On-Foods management underscores the role of corporate partners in championing public art that celebrates acceptance.
Project Overview
In summer 2022, Save-On-Foods Duncan commissioned Humanity in Art to install a window mural featuring the Progressive Pride Flag along the store’s storefront glass, adjacent to the in-store Starbucks. The goal was to create a bold public-facing symbol of acceptance, inclusion, and 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility, positioned to be seen clearly from the street and to foster a sense of community among both staff and patrons.
Environmental & Technical Challenges
The mural surface presented several practical constraints. The location, storefront glazing in a high-traffic retail environment, required hand painting with materials suitable for glass and ongoing exposure. Additional challenges included residue from mechanical doors, window coatings, and interruptions during active business hours. Humanity in Art selected a vertical orientation to ensure the flag’s visibility and presence from street level.
The team navigated setbacks during execution, including supply shortages and paint adhesion issues. Rather than postpone work, adjustments were made on site, allowing for continued progress and ensuring that the mural remained true to its vision.
Artistic Response
The completed installation featured the full spectrum of the Progressive Pride Flag rendered in vertical bands of vibrant colour. Though modest in footprint, the mural delivered high visibility and emotional resonance, serving as both an artistic gesture and a community statement.
Throughout the painting process, interaction with passersby became a vital part of the experience. Conversations, questions, and words of support turned the worksite into an open dialogue, amplifying the project’s aim to unite through creativity.
Outcomes
The mural helped define Save-On-Foods Duncan as an affirming and inclusive space and added to a growing regional portfolio of artwork reflecting diverse identities and values. Humanity in Art’s ongoing collaboration with Save-On-Foods management underscores the role of corporate partners in championing public art that celebrates acceptance.
Progressive Pride Flag Installation
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
In 2022, Save-On-Foods Parksville commissioned Humanity in Art to design and install a progressive pride flag mural on the elevated glass façade of their storefront. The initiative aimed to visibly demonstrate allyship toward the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, offering both employees and customers a welcoming and affirming visual statement.
This was the second collaboration between Humanity in Art and store manager Matt, whose commitment to inclusion and public expression had previously resulted in a successful mural project at the Woodgrove location in Nanaimo.
Technical Challenges
The raised glass wall presented several logistical challenges. The surface was treated with anti-dust sprays and bore residue from mechanical operations, requiring specialized preparation. Painting on glass also required paint layering to maintain opacity while avoiding unwanted texture buildup. The site conditions, limited space on a scissor lift and exposure to extreme heat, added to the complexity of the install.
Creative Outcome
The final installation featured bold, horizontal bands of color representing the progressive pride flag. Visible from the street and parking area, the mural served as both a symbolic gesture and a declaration of Save-On-Foods Parksville’s values. Staff and community feedback reflected a strong sense of connection to the design and appreciation for its public visibility.
For Humanity in Art, the project was personally meaningful, an opportunity to create art grounded in lived experience while contributing to a more inclusive public environment.
Project Overview
In 2022, Save-On-Foods Parksville commissioned Humanity in Art to design and install a progressive pride flag mural on the elevated glass façade of their storefront. The initiative aimed to visibly demonstrate allyship toward the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, offering both employees and customers a welcoming and affirming visual statement.
This was the second collaboration between Humanity in Art and store manager Matt, whose commitment to inclusion and public expression had previously resulted in a successful mural project at the Woodgrove location in Nanaimo.
Technical Challenges
The raised glass wall presented several logistical challenges. The surface was treated with anti-dust sprays and bore residue from mechanical operations, requiring specialized preparation. Painting on glass also required paint layering to maintain opacity while avoiding unwanted texture buildup. The site conditions, limited space on a scissor lift and exposure to extreme heat, added to the complexity of the install.
Creative Outcome
The final installation featured bold, horizontal bands of color representing the progressive pride flag. Visible from the street and parking area, the mural served as both a symbolic gesture and a declaration of Save-On-Foods Parksville’s values. Staff and community feedback reflected a strong sense of connection to the design and appreciation for its public visibility.
For Humanity in Art, the project was personally meaningful, an opportunity to create art grounded in lived experience while contributing to a more inclusive public environment.
Pride flag Mural: Save-on-Foods installation
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
Amid restrictions on public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Save-On-Foods Woodgrove sought a safe and visible way to honour Pride Month and affirm support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The company commissioned Humanity in Art to create a temporary public artwork, a 60-foot horizontal rainbow flag mural spanning the full length of the store’s glass-fronted vestibule.
The objective was to bring colour, celebration, and visibility to an otherwise quiet season for Pride, contributing to both staff morale and public engagement in a time of distancing and uncertainty.
Creative & Technical Execution
Humanity in Art developed a large-scale horizontal design tailored to the storefront’s architectural layout. Paint selection and application method were designed for clarity, vibrancy, and temporary use. The installation required extended hours on-site and coordination with store operations to ensure visibility and safety.
The completed artwork cast rainbow light into the vestibule’s interior, providing both an external marker of support and an atmospheric experience for those inside the store.
Follow-Up & Extended Impact
Due to the success and public response of the 2020 installation, Save-On-Foods invited Humanity in Art back in 2021 to create a long-term version of the Pride mural on an elevated façade. This second installation required specialized equipment, including a scissor lift and certified Mobile Elevated Work Platform procedures.
Together, these projects reflect a meaningful partnership between public artists and local businesses committed to inclusion. The flag murals remain part of a broader body of work championing 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility and creative placemaking in commercial settings.
Project Overview
Amid restrictions on public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Save-On-Foods Woodgrove sought a safe and visible way to honour Pride Month and affirm support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The company commissioned Humanity in Art to create a temporary public artwork, a 60-foot horizontal rainbow flag mural spanning the full length of the store’s glass-fronted vestibule.
The objective was to bring colour, celebration, and visibility to an otherwise quiet season for Pride, contributing to both staff morale and public engagement in a time of distancing and uncertainty.
Creative & Technical Execution
Humanity in Art developed a large-scale horizontal design tailored to the storefront’s architectural layout. Paint selection and application method were designed for clarity, vibrancy, and temporary use. The installation required extended hours on-site and coordination with store operations to ensure visibility and safety.
The completed artwork cast rainbow light into the vestibule’s interior, providing both an external marker of support and an atmospheric experience for those inside the store.
Follow-Up & Extended Impact
Due to the success and public response of the 2020 installation, Save-On-Foods invited Humanity in Art back in 2021 to create a long-term version of the Pride mural on an elevated façade. This second installation required specialized equipment, including a scissor lift and certified Mobile Elevated Work Platform procedures.
Together, these projects reflect a meaningful partnership between public artists and local businesses committed to inclusion. The flag murals remain part of a broader body of work championing 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility and creative placemaking in commercial settings.
Umbrella Chronicles: Jean Burns Art Project
Following the Jean Burns building fire in 2016, the City of Nanaimo invited local artists to enliven the temporary construction fencing surrounding the site. The initiative aimed to integrate artistic interventions into an otherwise austere urban zone while referencing Nanaimo’s cultural history through the use of heritage photographs.
Artist Lys Glassford contributed a site-specific work titled Umbrella Chronicles, drawing unexpected inspiration from a vintage photo of an umbrella shop. The resulting piece blended heritage reference with visual oddity, subverting nostalgia in favour of curiosity, absurdity, and amusement.
Creative Intent
Rather than evoke reverence or traditional historical commentary, Umbrella Chronicles celebrated the eccentric and playful. A real umbrella was installed in the artwork, bridging the image with physical reality. Stained glass accents added another layer of visual surprise and artistic defiance, an elegant material tucked within a quirky composition.
The work playfully challenged viewers’ assumptions about historical art and its role in public discourse.
Execution
Installed directly on the perimeter fencing around the Jean Burns construction site, the installation embraced the impermanent nature of the project and the unusual site conditions. Materials were selected for their bold visibility and resilience in a street-level outdoor setting. The artwork stood as a dynamic punctuation amid other historically themed pieces, drawing attention through its conceptual looseness and unconventional styling.
Impact
Umbrella Chronicles contributed to a memorable and highly individualized segment of Jean Burns' art intervention. It activated public space with quirkiness and unpredictability, inviting pedestrians to reconsider how heritage and imagination can interact in urban placemaking.
Artist Lys Glassford contributed a site-specific work titled Umbrella Chronicles, drawing unexpected inspiration from a vintage photo of an umbrella shop. The resulting piece blended heritage reference with visual oddity, subverting nostalgia in favour of curiosity, absurdity, and amusement.
Creative Intent
Rather than evoke reverence or traditional historical commentary, Umbrella Chronicles celebrated the eccentric and playful. A real umbrella was installed in the artwork, bridging the image with physical reality. Stained glass accents added another layer of visual surprise and artistic defiance, an elegant material tucked within a quirky composition.
The work playfully challenged viewers’ assumptions about historical art and its role in public discourse.
Execution
Installed directly on the perimeter fencing around the Jean Burns construction site, the installation embraced the impermanent nature of the project and the unusual site conditions. Materials were selected for their bold visibility and resilience in a street-level outdoor setting. The artwork stood as a dynamic punctuation amid other historically themed pieces, drawing attention through its conceptual looseness and unconventional styling.
Impact
Umbrella Chronicles contributed to a memorable and highly individualized segment of Jean Burns' art intervention. It activated public space with quirkiness and unpredictability, inviting pedestrians to reconsider how heritage and imagination can interact in urban placemaking.
Tidal Pool Mural
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
Commissioned during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ocean Serenity was designed to transform a family’s shared lower-level space used as both a home office and entertainment room into a tranquil environment grounded in natural beauty. Humanity in Art was asked to design a custom interior mural that could bring coastal inspiration indoors and offer emotional calm during an uncertain time.
Environmental Challenges
The space presented several architectural constraints, including low ceilings, a wall-mounted electrical panel, exterior windows, and an integrated doorway. These limitations required a flexible design approach to maintain visual cohesion and avoid fragmenting the mural’s impact.
Creative Strategy
Humanity in Art approached the space as a tidal pool—a layered, immersive landscape built from soft cool tones and accented with gold to suggest refracted light and ocean shimmer. Instead of concealing obstacles, the mural absorbed them: the electrical panel was covered with a painted canvas that integrated seamlessly into the surrounding scene.
The design emphasized motion and stillness, capturing the ebb and flow of underwater life through brushwork, texture, and palette choices. Aquatic elements and light patterns were balanced to preserve calm and encourage moments of visual discovery.
Results
The mural transformed a functional space into a restorative one, offering family members and visitors a daily connection to the natural world from within their home. It blended thoughtful storytelling with spatial sensitivity, and remains a personal favourite among Humanity in Art’s residential commissions.
Project Overview
Commissioned during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ocean Serenity was designed to transform a family’s shared lower-level space used as both a home office and entertainment room into a tranquil environment grounded in natural beauty. Humanity in Art was asked to design a custom interior mural that could bring coastal inspiration indoors and offer emotional calm during an uncertain time.
Environmental Challenges
The space presented several architectural constraints, including low ceilings, a wall-mounted electrical panel, exterior windows, and an integrated doorway. These limitations required a flexible design approach to maintain visual cohesion and avoid fragmenting the mural’s impact.
Creative Strategy
Humanity in Art approached the space as a tidal pool—a layered, immersive landscape built from soft cool tones and accented with gold to suggest refracted light and ocean shimmer. Instead of concealing obstacles, the mural absorbed them: the electrical panel was covered with a painted canvas that integrated seamlessly into the surrounding scene.
The design emphasized motion and stillness, capturing the ebb and flow of underwater life through brushwork, texture, and palette choices. Aquatic elements and light patterns were balanced to preserve calm and encourage moments of visual discovery.
Results
The mural transformed a functional space into a restorative one, offering family members and visitors a daily connection to the natural world from within their home. It blended thoughtful storytelling with spatial sensitivity, and remains a personal favourite among Humanity in Art’s residential commissions.
Oceanside BenchMark Project
Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Project Overview
As part of the inaugural BenchMark public art initiative, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce commissioned Humanity in Art to create a demo bench to encourage artist participation. The project, co-organized by the Parksville and Qualicum Beach Chambers of Commerce, was designed to celebrate local creativity while enriching public spaces with colourful, functional art.
The commissioned demo piece would act as inspiration for dozens of other benches to be completed by participating artists across the region.
Creative Approach
Working in a converted autobody shop equipped with industrial heaters, Humanity in Art had a tight six-hour window to transform a raw cedar bench into a fully realized artwork. Drawing inspiration from a summer patio moment and a refreshing seasonal drink, the artists developed a bright, citrus-infused design using a dynamic combination of latex paint, spray paint, and acrylic ink.
The vibrant palette and playful patterns were intended to evoke a sense of joy, lightness, and immediacy, demonstrating how quickly public art can transform an ordinary object into an imaginative offering.
Community Impact
The demo bench helped catalyze participation among Oceanside artists and creatives. Following its completion, over sixty cedar benches were painted and installed across the region as part of the BenchMark campaign. Each bench served not only as public seating, but also as a temporary cultural marker, inviting community members to engage with art in everyday settings.
The benches were later auctioned, with proceeds supporting local arts initiatives and business development programming. The project demonstrated how collaborative public art can foster economic support, artistic visibility, and social connection.
Project Overview
As part of the inaugural BenchMark public art initiative, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce commissioned Humanity in Art to create a demo bench to encourage artist participation. The project, co-organized by the Parksville and Qualicum Beach Chambers of Commerce, was designed to celebrate local creativity while enriching public spaces with colourful, functional art.
The commissioned demo piece would act as inspiration for dozens of other benches to be completed by participating artists across the region.
Creative Approach
Working in a converted autobody shop equipped with industrial heaters, Humanity in Art had a tight six-hour window to transform a raw cedar bench into a fully realized artwork. Drawing inspiration from a summer patio moment and a refreshing seasonal drink, the artists developed a bright, citrus-infused design using a dynamic combination of latex paint, spray paint, and acrylic ink.
The vibrant palette and playful patterns were intended to evoke a sense of joy, lightness, and immediacy, demonstrating how quickly public art can transform an ordinary object into an imaginative offering.
Community Impact
The demo bench helped catalyze participation among Oceanside artists and creatives. Following its completion, over sixty cedar benches were painted and installed across the region as part of the BenchMark campaign. Each bench served not only as public seating, but also as a temporary cultural marker, inviting community members to engage with art in everyday settings.
The benches were later auctioned, with proceeds supporting local arts initiatives and business development programming. The project demonstrated how collaborative public art can foster economic support, artistic visibility, and social connection.
Experience & Approach
I started out tagging trains and painting back alleys, and I haven’t stopped since. These days, my process is equal parts design, logistics, and intuition. I work with community groups, cities, and clients to create murals that reflect something real.
I bring:
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15+ years of mural experience across Canada
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Technical skills in spray paint, acrylic, and design
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An ability to manage projects start to finish, and help clients navigate city processes and creative goals
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A strong belief that murals should make space feel personal, not just pretty
Step 1: Inquiry & Quote
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Fill out the form with key info: location, inspiration, and budget.
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I’ll follow up with a quote based on wall size, design complexity, and palette.
Step 2: Design Contract
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Once you accept the quote, we enter a design agreement.
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This fee is non-refundable. I don’t draw for free.
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You’ll receive an initial design based on our form and convo.
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You get one round of feedback and light changes.
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Need a completely different design? That’s a new contract
Step 3: Mural Phase
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We sign a mural contract and set a date.
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You’ll pay a deposit to cover supplies and hold space in my calendar.
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Once painted, you’ll receive the final invoice
No payment, no control. Got a wall but no budget? Cool. I might still paint it, but I decide what goes on it. It won’t be weird. (Okay, it might be. But it’ll be cool.)
Want a free mural with specific design demands? That’s not how this works. Respect artists, respect the process.
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