Cranbrook’s Mural Makers

This article was first published in the summer of 2010 - it has been adapted for this spring.

It was wonderful last summer to see to see Kirsten Taylor back at it - painting a beautiful new mural on Sakura’s entrance. Many will remember her beautiful butterfly mural, which briefly adorned a wall on Cranbrook St. Many could not get over the fact that despite the bylaws in place the mural was destroyed. There is a process to be followed for major changes to buildings in many commercial areas of most cities including Cranbrook. When a business or property owner in certain parts of the city wishes to upgrade its’ building in any substantial way applications must be made, permission sort and frequently council’s stamp of approval is required. These protocols are important for maintaining the integrity and style of any city and especially those of significance. Rome would not be Rome, London or Paris would not be the same without such regulations ensuring the integrity of those cities. Special architecture, ancient frescos, pictographs are all protected and preserved in this way regardless of who owns the building. Heritage designation or preservation orders are frequently put in place.

Too often the same protocols in this part of the world do not seem to apply when a property owner wishes to dismantle something held in high esteem by the public. Cranbrook may be a long way from Rome but if it is to become a beautiful city of significance some consistencies need to be adhered to. Even when property is privately owned the exterior becomes part of something larger, the public space. If the public values that space, protection of it whether mural, sculpture, park or special architecture, it is important bylaws are strong enough to keep it intact whenever possible. Public art is currently adding quality to several areas of our town. Let’s hope the trend continues and let’s hope it is valued enough to be protected if necessary. If an old advertisement is still intact on the side of the Armond Theatre and pictographs in this valley have survived for hundreds of years on rock walls open to the elements, these murals have every chance of doing the same. Art and culture help to sustain the health and vibrancy of a community. The final responsibility for preservation of public art rests with those who administer the city.

We thank those businesses and artists who contribute to the culture of Cranbrook.