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Hope Mural
Client:
Wesley Street Pediatric Clinic
Artist Credit:
This artwork was created collaboratively by Humanity Art, an artistic partnership between Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Year:
2020
Location:
Downtown Nanaimo, BC
Scope:
Exterior mural installation on pediatric client facade
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.