New wall mural at Crystal Pool leaves patrons blue
Water has been splashed on the walls of Crystal Pool before, but not like this.
Seventeen students from the Vancouver Island School of Art are responsible for the newly installed mural wrapped along the east-end walls of the swimming pool.
In fact, it is a combination of 28 murals, all painted within the parameters set out by VISA executive director Wendy Welch.
“The designs had to be based on the theme of water, so, blue. But the artists were free to use their own patterns.”
Welch was asked by students, city and pool workers how a mix of patterns would flow together.
“It’s understandable, because without any examples, it’s hard to know. Usually a group mural is done in a collective manner, but I knew it would work.”
For paint and materials that can survive in a humid atmosphere, Welch turned to Golden Paints in New Berlin, N.Y.
“They have experience dealing with murals in water parks in the U.S. They helped us set up with a standard to last 15-20 years.”
The city approached VISA in October 2010 and contributed $9,200 to the project. VISA bought 14 different shades of blue from Golden.
The apparatus used 12 four-by-eight-foot plywood panels and 16 four-by-four panels to represent a horizon line.
The panels also include solid colours, added as a design contrast to accentuate the patterns. “Just like in fashion, patterns can go together, depending on the scale,” Welch said.
The mural was officially unveiled last Thursday, with Mayor Dean Fortin officiating.
Art school gains link to Emily Carr University
In just its seventh year, VISA’s credibility has taken a big step. VISA agreed on a block-transfer with Vancouver’s Emily Carr University Art + Design.
VISA students who complete the first year of the certificate of visual art program now have the opportunity to transfer into the second year of Emily Carr’s bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of media arts or bachelor of design programs.
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