Diversity Mural

The Diversity Mural project was a collaborative youth-led public art initiative created in Vanderhoof as part of the Good Neighbours Committee’s broader work to foster a welcoming and inclusive community.

Located on the west side of the Neighbourhood Space, the mural was designed and painted by youth who were invited to reflect on what Vanderhoof means to them and what makes a community welcoming.

The project began with a simple but generative question: What would you include in a mural about Vanderhoof? Youth participants identified key elements of place, including the Nechako River and Sinkut Mountain, grounding the mural in the local landscape. From there, they were invited to create their own drawings that explored both their sense of community and ideas of diversity and belonging.

These individual drawings were brought together into a single working design, which was then transferred onto the wall. The painting unfolded in stages: youth first created the aerial view of the Nechako River, followed by Sinkut Mountain and a bright blue sky, and finally a series of circular forms that incorporated the students’ original artwork (see photos below).

The mural’s layered composition reflects both shared place and diverse perspectives. The landscape anchors the work in a common geography, while the circles hold multiple viewpoints, each one expressing a different vision of what it means to live together in a respectful and inclusive community.

More than a final product, the mural was a process of collaboration and learning. It offered young people an opportunity to contribute creatively to public space, to see their ideas taken seriously, and to participate in shaping a visual representation of community values.

The Diversity Mural stands as both an artwork and a record of this collective process. It reflects the Good Neighbours Committee’s commitment to engaging community members, especially youth, in conversations about diversity, belonging, and the shared responsibility of building a welcoming Vanderhoof.