News release
For immediate release

W̱SÁNEĆ nation artist Sarah Jim has been selected to paint a mural at Beckwith Park.  

Saanich, BC – The second mural as part of the District of Saanich’s Community Canvas Mural Project is now underway. Local artist Sarah Jim was selected to design and install a mural for Beckwith Park.

The mural painting begins this week and will be completed by Wednesday, September 23, subject to weather or other unexpected factors.

Sarah Jim is an artist of Coast Salish, Mexican, and Russian-Jewish ancestry. She is a proud member of the W̱SÁNEĆ nation from the Tseycum village. Her art emulates her love of ethnobotany and creates an alternative way to visually explore the connections between native plant food systems and coastal medicines in relation to the ecosystem and W̱SÁNEĆ culture.  

“Being part of this program means having the opportunity to showcase W̱SÁNEĆ art in the traditional territory of my people,” said Sarah Jim.

Her distinctive place-based artwork has enriched neighbourhoods throughout Greater Victoria, creating visually stunning site-specific artwork for communities to appreciate. For this mural, Sarah decided to highlight two nearby ecosystems in need of protection: the pond/wetland and camas meadows. Utilizing the land as her inspiration, her final design and colour scheme is a vibrant representation of her W̱SÁNEĆ roots.

The Community Canvas Mural Pilot Project aims to enhance Saanich neighbourhoods and public spaces by integrating murals from local artists.

Sarah is beginning her mural at Beckwith Park as fellow local artist Claire Crawford completes her outdoor work at the entrance to Cedar Hill Recreation and Arts Centre. The third and final mural is planned for Layritz Park, adjacent to the turf soccer field, and will be completed in mid- October.

“Expression motivates me to create art, I feel as though it's my responsibility to tell stories in a visual way,” said Sarah. “This not only helps the viewer to understand certain concepts, but it helps me in my own well-being as art is medicine.”

The project

This initiative is part of the 2022 Community Canvas Mural Project, which will see the creation of three murals in Saanich parks during the summer and fall. A selection committee that included arts and community representatives made recommendations within the application review and selection process. 

Get involved

Come see this mural take shape over the coming days at Beckwith Park. Sarah will be working on-site for the next few weeks as she completes her design. Follow her progress on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Learn more

Find out more about the Community Canvas Mural Project at 2022 Community Canvas Mural Project | District of Saanich.

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Media contact:
Brenda Weatherston
Community Arts Programmer
brenda.weatherston@saanich.ca
250-475-5557