The fourth annual Squamish Mural Walk Festival will take place from July 26-28 in Downtown Squamish. The Squamish Mural Walk is a free, year-round self-guided tour of the murals in Downtown Squamish.
The Downtown Squamish BIA will be adding 13 murals to downtown, bringing together a diversity of artists and adding to the existing murals, which date back to 2000, many of which are thanks to the Squanderer Mural Festival and the District of Squamish Public Art Committee.
The best way to explore the murals in Downtown Squamish is by simply taking a stroll with the self-guided tour. Experience Squamish’s diverse local cultures, history, and heritage dating back to 2000 at your own pace while tagging @downtownsquamish and @SquamishMuralWalk with your favourite artists.
Kerry Neil, the executive director of Squamish BIA, said everyone is welcome to come by the tents at Stan Clarke Park from 10 am to 4 pm daily from July 26 to 28, scan the QR code or collect a printed map, then take a walk to see live mural installations taking place and visit the existing murals. Over the festival weekend, BIA has introduced a Guided Tour each day at noon, and people can sign up through the website.
“There will be many activities happening all over downtown, including an Open Street Day on Saturday, July 27 from 10 am – 3 pm and live music, art, and family entertainment”.
The lineup of the 2024 mural artists is being announced daily on the Downtown Squamish social media (@downtownsquamish). The BIA is excited to welcome lots of new muralists to 2024 and some that are already well known in town, such as Jessa Gilbert, who will be painting a temporary mural in Stan Clarke Park, Ciarra Saylor, who will be creating something very special at the back of August Jack Motel and Scott Borkowski, aka Sleestak who will be bringing something extraordinary to the Squamish School District building.
The mural walk is also thrilled to welcome International Artist James Klinge, who brings an exciting contemporary approach specializing in hand-cut stencils and spray paint, and multi-award-winning Artist Cassie Suche, whose work is a delicate balance of structure and spontaneity.
“A mural can create belonging and a sense of pride, reduce graffiti and tagging and allow neighbourhoods to shape their community through beautification. There are so many hidden gems within the downtown neighbourhood, the mural walk is our time to show them off,” Neil said.
