Project Muralize brings colours back to Chinatown

It is a common sight you might see around Vancouver’s Chinatown — graffiti littered or sprayed across the shutters and walls of local businesses.

“It’s an awful feeling. It ruins the appearance of Chinatown. Like it’s so messy and all over the place,” says Ellen Lin, manager of Hang Loong Herbal Products.

“We don’t have the time or resources to clean it up. If you clean it up tonight, they’ll come back tomorrow.”

But could the solution to rampant vandalism be more paint?

Project Muralize is the brainchild of Vancouver Police Department (VPD) constable Freddy Lau, who felt inspired when he visited other Chinatowns around the world.

Lau is a Diversity Liaison Officer at the VPD.

“What I found was that a lot of places where there are murals, a lot of people who vandalize have a respect for pieces of art and don’t deface them,” Lau told The Leader Spirit.

Lau hopes that project Muralize will not only help deter vandalism to these storefronts but also help restore vibrancy to Chinatown and bring in more foot traffic.

“Every piece does have a meaning to it, whether it’s the koi fish or the panda, this piece here, they all have a significant meaning to it. Our goal is to eventually put a QR code so that visitors can come and learn about the murals as well.”

James Hardy ‘Smokey D’ and Jesse Gouchey, two well-known artists around the Downtown Eastside (DTES), were invited to do the latest mural.

“It’s going to be something like that. It’s starting to get out of control again, so we’re going to try and clean it up again,” said Hardy.

“Just having a nice appearance when the doors are closed gives a way better vibe for the whole community. No better way to do that than with a lot of colours and a well-done design,” explained Gouchey.

“That’s what every owner wants — hopefully the painting has good luck and good fortune, bring the good business,” said store owner Lin.

Project Muralize is funded entirely through the Vancouver Police Foundation.