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Prismatic Pollinators
Client:
Hub City Mural Society
Artist Credit:
This artwork was created collaboratively by Humanity Art, an artistic partnership between Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.
Year:
2018
Location:
Wallace Street, Downtown Nanaimo, BC
Scope:
Large-scale exterior mural on urban facade
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.
