The long awaited Community Mural Unveiling Event took place on Friday, June 2, 2023 with an official ceremony getting underway at 12:30pm outside the main building of the Comox Valley Child Development Association (CVCDA).
Following an introduction and acknowledgements from Executive Director, Cindy Xavier and Board Chair, Diane Diagle further guests were invited to speak including Founder and Artist of Mural Mosic, Paul Lavoie who attended the event from Edmonton.
In recognition of the beautiful new coat of paint and updated look applied to the whole CVCDA main building in preparation for the installation of the mural, the team from Dove Creek Painting was invited up and presented with a special plaque. The generosity of this major donation of services is now displayed at the CVCDA to honour the business’ contribution.
Finally among many VIP invited guest, all three mayors were present including Mayor Vickey Brown, Cumberland, Mayor Nicole Minions, Comox and Mayor Bob Wells of Courtenay.
Mayor Wells made some remarks and they all proceeded with the official ribbing cutting before the cover was released and the new, large format (10’x20′), mosaic mural was revealed to the crowd.
Following the closing remarks, onlookers were invited to interact with the mural and see all 2000 tiles up close. Many of the tile painting participants were on site and able to see their tile with in the mural for the first time. Many of whom brought their original painting to share.
The mural will be permanently on display outside of our downtown Courtenay offices at 237 Third Street, off Cliffe Avenue. Public is invited to come and see the mural for themselves.
If you missed the ceremony and unveiling, you can rewatch it here:
Following the unveiling, the CVCDA hosted a celebration including food, live music, kids activities and more. There was a BBQ lunch prepared by the Rotary Club of the Comox Valley. The Kenny Shaw & Valorie Duo performed live throughout the event. Kids who stopped by enjoyed a bouncy house, face painting by Amy Louise and our outdoor play space.
In addition to the celebratory activities, the CVCDA hosted their first ever fundraising (court) Yard Sale raising a total of $700 going to the CVCDA’s JumpStart Preschool, The Autism Program and our Outdoor Play Space. Get Yard Sale details.
More About The Mural
The CVCDA received the donated Canada Connects Spring Mural Mosaic through a collaboration with Mural Mosaic’s Global Roots Project. The Mural celebrates the collaboration of hundreds of individual artists throughout Canada and several parts of the world. Each artist’s painting is their own interpretation and insight into the project’s theme of connection. The overall mural is a representation of how these hundreds of voices are connected, and how when we come together, we can create harmony in one shared experience. Learn more about the collaboration.
The mural is made up of 2000 individually painted tiles. Many of them were painted by members of our own community including CVCDA Board and team members, program participants and their families along with some of our community supporters including a group from the Rotary Club of the Comox Valley.
The mural has not only come together with it’s many tiles but also many local businesses came together with their support in preparing the site and assisting with mural installation including Edgett Excavating and Dove Creek Painting. We were very pleased to showcase the many improvements to our building’s exterior as part of the Unveiling Ceremony. We couldn’t have made it happen with out their support.
About Mural Mosaic
Since 2003, Mural Mosaic has been creating art that celebrates unity and diversity through awe inspiring mosaic productions. Using the Mural Mosaic process invented by artist Lewis Lavoie, the mission of their work is to bring people together in a way that honors everyone’s unique perspectives. They have produced Mural Mosaics throughout North America, inspiring viewers to recognize the beauty of our differences and come together in one united art piece.