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.