'We painted the change we desired in the City': Local art collective revitalizing east London through murals
If you've driven down Dundas Street in Old East Village (OEV), you may have noticed a number of murals — they are a part of a collective of artists' works, taking part in The Summit 'Urban Arts vs The World' happening during the Western Fair.
A local advocacy group is behind the mural campaign called the 'Wet Paint Initiative' that has put up 62 murals in east London through sponsorships and funding grants.
"Through the wet paint initiative, we painted the change that we desired in the city," said curator Ken Galloway.
The project began three years ago, when Galloway says he returned to London to try and fix "ladders of opportunity" for young artist.
"Young people should not have to run from the police to chase their dreams, you know, and we're trying to create the lanes, in which they can do so, in which they can run as fast as they can on their own volition," explained Galloway.
Over the last three years, Galloway said they've completed a number of projects including the Wet Paint Initiative, the Wet Paint Express where artists painted live urban art at the Western Fair, and they created a downtown revitalization effort called the Refresh Sesh.
Galloway said the main goal is to turn neighbourhoods like OEV into a more vibrant place.
Art Initiative Ken Galloway as seen in front of murals in Old East Village on Sept. 17, 2024 (Reta Ismail/CTV News London) "I just love them, I think they're just so uplifting, the colors, bring attention to us. You know, aside from the bad things that bring us attention," said Roxanne Talbot, owner of Foxy Roxy's at Maymos in OEV.
Artists from London and across the world are part of the Art Initiative, painting large-scale murals on buildings around the city.
"For not only people new to the city or people that have been here their whole lives to see that there is there are people that are very excited about doing stuff like this and want to create beautiful stuff for everyone to see on a street level," said Nick Farmer, a graffiti artist whose work is part of the Wet Paint Initiative
Galloway said many of the murals are a reflection of the changing landscape of the city.
"We are just people that care deeply about the Western Fair, the Old East Village, about our City of London," explained Galloway. "You know, in a matter of years, in a matter of days, we are changing the Old East Village from a neighborhood that lagged far behind when it comes to the urban arts and that's definitely made some mistakes in the past, in the recent past, to a globally recognized leader."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Frustration over Mideast war in America's largest Arab-majority city may push some away from Democrats
As an ongoing part of Omar on the Road: America Decides 2024, CTV NATIONAL News visited the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus to talk to Arab-American students about why they’re feeling left out of the Democrats’ tent.
3 people arrested after incident during protest at Hindu temple in Brampton, Ont.: Peel police
Peel Regional Police say three people are in custody as they continue to investigate an incident during a demonstration at a Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday.
Candlelight vigil held outside Halifax Walmart where employee was found dead
Hundreds of mourners took part in a candlelight vigil Sunday night for a young woman who was found dead at a Halifax Walmart last month.
Police arrest Netanyahu aide as opponents accuse him of leaking intelligence to thwart Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal
Israeli police have arrested a top aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegedly leaking classified information to foreign media.
Ikea will pay 6 million euros to East German prisoners forced to build their furniture in landmark move
Furniture giant Ikea has agreed to pay 6 million euros (US$6.5 million) towards a government fund compensating victims of forced labour under Germany's communist dictatorship, in a move campaigners hope will pressure other companies to follow.
Where should Canada look to improve its housing situation? The answer may shock you
Housing experts argue widespread adoption of government-supported affordable housing, the growth of alternative models like co-operatives and co-housing, and the increased use of advanced building techniques could all play a role in improving Canada's housing system.
At least 36 dead after an overcrowded bus falls into a gorge in northern India
A poorly maintained and overcrowded bus veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in northern India on Monday, killing at least 36 people and injuring several others, officials said.
Poilievre asks premiers to axe their sales taxes on new homes worth under $1 million
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to the provinces' premiers, asking them to eliminate their sales taxes on new homes that are under $1 million.
Sugar in the first 1,000 days after conception linked to health issues later in life, study says
The holiday season is nearly upon us and it’s easy for a child’s sweet tooth go wild. However, new research shows that it may be beneficial to cut back how much sugar young children consume.