A new mural at a Nanaimo, B.C., aquatic centre aims to bring people together to combat hate, as well as build inclusion and belonging in communities throughout the province. Photo courtesy British Columbia’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
A new mural at a Nanaimo, B.C., aquatic centre aims to bring people together to combat hate, as well as build inclusion and belonging in communities throughout the province.
Unveiled by human rights commissioner Kasari Govender, the piece was co-created with public art advocates Humanity in Art. A testament to the strength and resilience of the city, it was inspired by the Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour (IBPOC) summer youth program at local non-profit RISEBRIDGE.
The mural is a direct response to the final report of Govender’s inquiry into hate during the pandemic, titled “From Hate to Hope.” Through the inquiry, thousands of individuals and organizations shared their encounters with hate and highlighted a need to fortify community bonds to prevent disinformation and fear.
The Nanaimo Aquatic Centre is part of an area that was targeted by racist, homophobic, and transphobic vandalism earlier this fall. The new artwork has transformed the site into a space for community healing.
According to Lauren Semple of Humanity in Art, “The mural was inspired by our conversations with the youth, with the repeating themes of community, transition, contrast, and our connection to land and water.”
The Nanaimo project is part of a larger initiative which stems from the commissioner’s findings and focuses on community activation through art and placemaking. It is the last of four installations across the province, with other murals showcased in Vancouver, Fort St. John, and Keremeos. Each piece is meant to be a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, understanding, and the need for communities to come together to stand up against hate.
“This powerful piece of public art not only transforms a space previously marred by hate, but also symbolizes Nanaimo’s collective commitment to combating discrimination,” says Govender. “The mural—and the collaborative process by which it was created—serves as a poignant reminder that community care is a potent antidote to the isolation and lack of belonging that so often drive hate. It is a testament to the strength we can find when we stand together.”
