A new mural at Haney Place Mall celebrates birds and the Golden Ears Mountains

A new mural unveiled at Haney Place Mall depicts the Golden Ears Mountains and birds found in the region. “Birds of a Feather” was created by Maple Ridge mural artist Laura Johnson with help from youth artists Skylar Nolin and Keegan Black, both 18, and 13 other young people from UPlan, a youth-led committee of the City of Maple Ridge Youth Planning Table.

Johnson, a mural artist for 25 years, called the project a collaborative effort. Nolin and Black helped design the mural with diversity and inclusiveness in mind. They drew most of its elements, incorporating suggestions from other UPlan members. Johnson drew the owl, chose the colours and assembled the mural.

Planning began in May, and students started painting in July. The work took about 80 hours to complete. It is the third mural in the city’s Mural Collective Program, created by the Beautification and Revitalization Committee of the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association and the arts steering council for the City of Maple Ridge.

Two other murals in the collective were unveiled in downtown Maple Ridge over the summer. “Spotlight,” by artist Ben Evely and students from Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary, is on the building occupied by Harris & Leib Insurance and Sure Print Copy at 223 Street and Lougheed Highway. The abstract, patchwork-inspired design uses photographs the students took throughout Maple Ridge. “Home for All,” by artist Carly Bouwman, is on the Roots Natural Organic Health Foods building on Dewdney Trunk Road, west of 224th Street. Bouwman worked with Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary students on a design inspired by endangered and at-risk plants and animals found in the region.

Nicole Archer, executive director of the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association, said the group struggled to find interest when the mural program began. Now, property owners are asking to be added to a list of potential participants. Archer praised the artists and students for bringing the association’s vision of nature-inspired, interactive murals to life. She said this is the final installation for now, but she hopes the program will continue.

Johnson said she is looking forward to seeing people interact with the mural, which is along the wall at the mall’s northwest entrance, across from the Greg Moore Youth Centre. “I hope that it inspires more murals,” she said.