Squamish has a vibrant community spirit
When Kerry became the executive director of the DSBIA, she was inspired by the town’s level of community spirit. “Attendance is always high at our community events,” she says. “To further encourage community involvement, we wanted to add to the town’s roster of community events. We decided to build an event around the colourful murals located throughout the downtown area to showcase them, and invite artists to add more as a way to continue beautifying the area.”
The DSBIA launched the Squamish Mural Walk in 2021. It’s a free self-guided tour of murals painted by local and visiting artists that can be enjoyed all year round. The DSBIA also hosts a three-day Squamish Mural Walk Festival every July that brings the community together to enjoy free guided walking tours, food, live music and family entertainment.
The Squamish Mural Walk has grown every year
In 2021, the festival had only one booth and a handful artists painting new murals. “We started small, casually inviting some artists to come and paint for us,” Kerry explains. “The following year, we began putting out “requests for proposals” to artists. That’s when interest in the event really grew. Fast forward to this year: we had more than 250 local and international artists apply to paint murals for us. We selected a mix of emerging and experienced artists to paint murals on constructed plywood triangles, alongside four established artists who created permanent murals. As a result, there are now over 35 permanent murals in the downtown Squamish neighbourhood.”
Community and corporate support is key to the event’s success
Kerry emphasizes how important community involvement has been in the event’s success. “We're incredibly grateful to have the support of the community and corporate sponsors, like FortisBC,” she says. “We need their support, not only to help fund the project but also to help create a shared sense of ownership among residents and businesses in what we're creating.”
This year, funding from sponsors, including FortisBC, allowed artists to create even more. “Every year, we manage to add one or two permanent murals, but through support and sponsorship, we were able to add four this year,” Kerry notes.
Michelle Ticas, community relations manager with FortisBC shares, “Partnering with the DSBIA is incredibly rewarding. The DSIBA does an outstanding job of representing businesses in Squamish. The community events they host are a bridge between local businesses and the community. We’ve proudly sponsored the Squamish Mural Walk since it began in 2021. Set right in downtown Squamish, it brings everyone together. It’s the perfect place for people to connect, shop, enjoy a coffee or grab a bite—all while supporting local businesses.”
Michelle adds, “There’s so much natural beauty in the Squamish area. The murals are a lovely way to enhance the unique charm of Squamish.”
Kerry agrees, “Arts and culture are essential for fostering identity and belonging in a town. By showcasing our murals, I think we're embracing our artistic heritage—the cultural side of downtown.”
