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.