The Bridge skatepark in Altona has a fresh new look, thanks to a group of local high school art students.
Led by instructor Jill Ferris, the students from W.C. Miller Collegiate came up with some fun, bright artwork to help spruce up the features of the facility.
"Over time, there's been some graffiti that's taken place there, but it certainly wasn't approved or planned," explained Eric Hildebrand, Recreation Manager for the Town of Altona. "As a way to freshen up the entire space, we thought if we could get it full of paint but in a planned way, it would be a nice bright change.
Many of these art students also happen to be people that utilize the skate park. I think there's also the concept being that, with some ownership, there should be more pride in the space and less issues, over time, with graffiti."
After recently viewing a film about Banksy, an England-based street artist and activist, Alyssa Ewankevich was inspired to be a part of the project.
"I was like, I really want to try branching out into different places to draw and paint. I should stop doing everything on paper and do something more involved on a bigger space."
Alyssa painted her favourite animal, an octopus, which she says is pliable to any space, and adds flow to the piece.
Hephzivah Klassen's mural is a verity of cartoon paintings.
"I find cartoons very easy to paint and draw. They're fun to do because you can do whatever you want with them; they don't have to be realistic."
When asked why she wanted to take part in the project, she said, "I wanted to just be part of something, to show people that I did something and say, hey I helped."
A self-described graffiti enthusiast, Silas Wall painted his nickname in that style.
"I'm interested in the general idea, the art, the culture, just the whole thing around it," he explained when asked why he was drawn to graffiti.
In all, there's a mix of nerves and confidence among the trio when it comes to having their work so publicly displayed, however, each of them says it will be nice to have more people be able to view it.
The project was supported by Sun Valley Co-op which donated all of the paint through its Communities in Colour program.
