CBYF members unveil new mural at Community Village

Over the six to eight weeks, group members drew images of what they wanted the mural to look like.

After weeks of going through different designs and ideas, the group settled on the final design, which shows ‘Community Youth’ spray-painted with two hands grabbing a backpack showing a sign of togetherness.

“We did our own mini-workshops, and we drew the ideas we had for a mural. We thought about the statements for community and what type of themes we could play into with the imagery we were using,” explained Bees Mackeidt, one of the youth artists who helped create the mural.

“Eventually, it came to a point where each one of us designed a specific aspect based on our strengths, and we put it all together, and this is what came of it,” Bees said.

Mackeidt, Zach Johnson, and Matthew Stewart were the three youth who helped design and paint the mural. It took the group two days to complete the on the side of the Community Village.

“Matthew did the hands because he’s amazing (at drawing) people,” Mackeidt said. “Zach is really good at graffiti, so he did the words. Graffiti is something he’s very passionate about. I did the backpack because I carry a backpack everywhere,” Bees joked.

Mackeidt tells EverythingGP that Serena played a big role in helping the youth get the mural painted and looking strong.

“We thought it was going to be super difficult because of the texture of the wall, but it actually turned out to be the greatest strength of the project because if there’s mistakes, it’s harder to see them. It gives them, I think, a more living aspect to the mural. For spray paint, this kind of texture is really good.”

In order to create the mural, the group used a projector to paint and trace their drawing. The group then spray painted over the course of the two days.

Grande Prairie City Councilors Dylan Bressey and Chris Thiessen help cut the ribbon to unveil the new mural at the Community Village. Photo Credit: Shane Clausing

Photo: Shane Clausing

According to Serena, the CBYF plans to add to the wall in the years to come.

Mackeidt says it’s cool to see their creation come to life.

“Personally, I am excited and think it’s a really good step in community visibility for the CBYF. I’m hoping that the statement reads to the people by or at the very least gets them thinking,” Bees said.”

“I think as far as the mural itself is being completed, I think it is exciting that this is something we can do projects within the future,” expressed Mackeidt.

“I think anything that comes of it is going to be really good.” Serena mentioned that seeing the piece of art created by the three youth members is a cool sight to see.

“This means the world to me. This has been a lifelong dream in the making. To see it executed so beautifully, profoundly, and meet and interact with some of the youth in our community, I’m over the moon that this was executed the way it was.”

The City of Grande Prairie, Community Village, Tamarack Institute, and the Government of Canada all contributed to funding the mural project.

by Shane Clausing

CBYF members unveil new mural at Community Village

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