Mural Society hoping art contest inspires businesses to get creative
The oldest commercial building in Vancouver is preparing to celebrate its age with the help of a few local artists.
Six murals will be painted on wood panels and displayed in the windows of the Schofield Building on Sixth and Main Street during its renovation this winter.
The Schofield family, which has owned the building since 1854, plans to restore the building's exterior and renovate both floors of the interior, said Ed Schofield of Schofield Properties.
"Our hope for when it's finished is that the building will be restored to the way that it looked back in the heyday," he said.
The murals, which will be used in the interior design of the building after renovations are complete, will fit right along with that historic feel.
"The call went out to have six artists each paint one mural," said Clark County Mural Society President Linda Reid. "But we didn't want just anything going up. The murals must incorporate the area's rich history. And to make things a little more fun, the winning artists will receive a cash prize."
Reid hopes the Schofield project inspires more building owners to get creative and more artists to get involved.
"Hopefully the murals on display get the attention of artists that didn't apply this time and they'll want to be involved in the next one," said Reid. "And I know there are other building owners downtown that are going to be doing some renovations of their own, so it's a perfect time for them to connect with us."
According to Reid, the Mural Society specializes in making the connection between the building owner and the artist. The society's main objective, she explained, is to get more murals in town and to be able to promote them.
"We've done a lot of research in other cities that have murals and it does help a lot," she said. "They can increase tourism, promote business and even decrease crime. Art does a lot to benefit a city and we'd love to help paint the town."
Elizabeth Steinbaugh, owner of the Aurora Gallery in downtown Vancouver agrees.
"When people get together and provide communities with public art it shows there is unification within the community," said Steinbaugh. "When people see that unification, it makes them want to come visit and that benefits us all."
