It was a success! Mural Fest organizers happy with how it went last weekend

Here’s a message from the organizers:

A picture really does say a thousand words!!

On behalf of the Peachland Making Waves Mural Festival committee I would like to thank everyone who came out and supported our inaugural Mural Festival this year. Our artists have been outstanding: Lala, Sheldon Louis and Nereo have outdone themselves in our opinion. From all reports, everyone enjoyed the entertainment and are looking forward to next year.

Special thanks to the Province of British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, District of Peachland, TEDC, Peachland Legion #69, Peachland Lions, Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance, Peachland Community Arts Council, Peachland Rotary, Volcanic Hills Estate Winery, Benjamin Moore Paints (Kelowna-West Kelowna) and Postnet (West Kelowna) for their financial support and to Judy/Wes Bedford and the Legion for entrusting their buildings to the care of our artists. Thanks also, to our hardy group of volunteers who helped us out in some many different ways. Thank you all so very much!

Looking forward to planning for next year! If you want to be a part (volunteer, sponsor, building donor) please contact us at any time.

Thanks again Peachland! See you in September 2023!

All the best,

–Shelley Sweeney, Chair Peachland Community Connects – Peachland Making Waves Mural Festival Committee

Committee members: Lynne Herrin, Alex Morrison, Madeleine Nixon, Judy Wyper, Steve Sweeney

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Photos from the weekend…

On Sunday, there was an art show and sale at the community centre..

The PCAC sponsored a motorcycle show on Sunday along the walkway by Beach Ave:

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Mural #3 is coming along! I caught up with Nereo Zorro Saturday afternoon. Here’s what he’s working on behind Peachland Pharmacy. He hosted a workshop Sunday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on street art techniques and storytelling. That’s at the Little School House on Brandon Lane.

The Okanagan Folk School hosted local artisans and vendors at the community centre on Saturday.

People were greeted first by OKFS director Lee Etherington and his chainsaws:

Read more about Lee’s work here.

Here’s what was going on at the community centre:

You’ll also find things going on at the community centre’s parking lot, from face painting and chainsaw carving, to henna art and a chalk walk. Thanks to the Peachland Lions for that.

And if you’re hungry, the Peachland Lions will be on hand, with their famous BBQ.

The entertainment lineup? (photos courtesy the Making Waves festival)

Penticton’s Monica Nadj

Kiki the Eco Elf (images courtesy the Making Waves festival)

The 50+ Centre says they won’t be hosting the pancake breakfast on Sunday..

Over at the Cenotaph, watch for a vintage motorcycle show…

..And wait, what about food? The Peachland Farmer’s Market goes from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Don’t forget our local restaurants, too!

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A downtown alley is looking a lot brighter, and the Legion has been treated to more than just a fresh coat of paint – organizers behind Peachland’s first-ever mural festival say they want to make the September long weekend a “full 180-degree experience for all your senses.”

I went downtown early Friday (Sept 2) morning, and here’s what the third mural looked like so far. Just started! The artist behind this one is Nereo Zorro. According to the Making Waves website, his style is drawn from nature, multiculturalism and identity, combining people, animals and nature.

…it’s around the corner from mural #2..

Shelley Sweeney heads up the Peachland Community Connects Society. You can read here about how the mural festival came to be, and as far as September 2-4, there’s a lot going on. Here’s what she wrote me:

“Public art extends beyond the murals, which provide an additional visual experience for visitors by combining music, dancing and kids’ entertainment. it’s a unique street party atmosphere.

Acts include interactive performances inside a 40-ft. salmon with Kiki the Eco Elf, Yamabiko Taiko Japanese Drumming group, ‘Hot Sax’– think Cage the Elephant meets Dave Mathews Band, Kelowna Bhangra Dancers and DJ Grampa groove – ‘you dance while Grampa spins the beats.’ One of the highlights of the weekend’s musical slate is nine-year-old Monica Nadj, a virtuosi accordion player from Penticton. And much more!”

While the activities are set to take place at the community centre and Cousins Park (other local groups such as the Okanagan Folk School are taking part) – you’re also invited to wander around and see the murals so far:

Vancouver artists Layla Folkmann (left) and Lacey Jane Wilburn worked on this one. Here’s what they had to say about it.