We currently have a family member here from Ontario, who has never been to British Columbia before. So yesterday we did the 40 minute drive to Vancouver, and played tour guide in what is without a doubt, the most beautiful city in Canada—and certainly the most pricey. (Although IMHO, Ottawa does come a close second, but their weather sucks big time!)
While we were out and about doing the touristy thing, we stumbled across a few interesting murals in the various parts of the city. Normally I never have a camera with me in town, but this time I did, which allowed me to capture some very interesting images.
The Vancouver Courier is a small, community newspaper that is located in the 1500 block of West 6th Avenue. They recently have had a multi-part mural painted on the side of their building. This mural is in itself a snapshot of Vancouver, and some of what it offers.
Photography by M. Margison © 2011
In this painting of Vancouver’s skyline—sans the bazillions of condos that have been built over the last 20 years—you can see some of the buildings which make Vancouver instantly recognizable. (Although BC Place no longer has a white, marshmallow-like dome. It’s new partially retractable roof will be completed by September.)
Photography by H. Kahlke © 2011
If you’re not familiar with the clock in this music panel of the mural, it is the famous Gastown steam clock, which is located at the corner of Cambie and Water Street in historic Gastown.
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival has some of its stages in Gastown, which is presumably what this panel of the mural represents.
Photography by H. Kahlke © 2011
I loved this mural, and specifically of course, I loved this sax player.
Photography by H. Kahlke © 2011
The mural is obviously quite new, since the colours haven’t faded. Unfortunately the artist didn’t sign it, so we have no idea who painted this interesting piece of urban art in Vancouver, British Columbia.
