Kamloops downtown partners unite to restore vandalized Red Bridge Raven mural

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After initial attempts to remove the graffiti proved unsuccessful, Kelson Group turned to the downtown Kamloops BIA’s Clean Team, which quickly stepped in to help restore the artwork.

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“It was until the BIA and their Clean Team came along – they did an amazing job. They had different techniques and different products to try to use, so it was very helpful with them,” added Fawcett.

For the KCBIA, acting quickly is about more than appearances. Executive Director Jeremy Heighton states public art has become an important part of downtown Kamloops’ identity and delaying repairs can send the wrong message.

“There’s an old psychological axiom called the Broken Window theory… and the reality is, the longer you tolerate disruption, graffiti, tagging, broken windows, those types of things, the more it will proliferate in your community,” Heighton told CFJC News on Friday (June 19). “The challenge for us, I think, is this art is part of the fabric, is part of the texture of our community, and if we don’t take care of it, then it shows our community we actually don’t embrace it.”

While the BIA is encouraging artists to express themselves, they’re reminding the public that there are places specifically designated for street art. The three pillars beneath the Overlanders Bridge have been set aside for that purpose, while murals like the Red Bridge Raven are preserved and protected for everyone to enjoy.

Despite the vandalism, Kelson Group says its commitment to supporting public art remains unchanged.

“We definitely support the arts. We’ve always been involved in so many different things,” says Fawcett. “For us, we’ll always continue to support them.”

With the mural restored and the RCMP investigating, both Kelson Group and the BIA hope the incident serves as a reminder that public art is more than paint on a wall – it’s part of the community’s identity.