THE WAYFINDER PROJECT -LEGACY HIGHWAY PROJECT
This project is called one of Canada’s most prestigious and important Cultural Community Projects. It links our communities and connects them through a series of story-telling murals. These murals serve to redefine each community as an exciting, inclusive, and educational cultural tourism destination.
Loughery exhaustively promoted the project. This promotion trained many Destination Marketing Organizations. It also educated cross Government Ministries, educational institutions, and communities about these innovative social tourism strategies. This model was quickly duplicated as a Destination Marketing plan for communities and mural projects can be seen in every community today. A trail-blazer for true social change through public art in action.
Among her many successes, Michelle is a recipient of British Columbia’s Community Achievement Award for which she was honoured by B.C’s Lieutenant Governor and Premier for her Thompson Okanagan Historic Mural Project.
Among her many successes, Michelle is a recipient of British Columbia’s Community Achievement Award for which she was honoured by B.C’s Lieutenant Governor and Premier for her Thompson Okanagan Historic Mural Project
BIG ART, BIG STORIES: Transforming Tourism Legacies through Community Connection and Inclusion
Experiencing the processes, partnerships and social art procurement projects behind Michelle Loughery’s Bold WAYFINDER Murals and community projects
My murals are about people having an effect on their cities, taking responsibility for their visual and physical environment, leaving records of their lives and concerns, and in the process transforming neighborhoods, making inspiring artists out of the youth and our communities while being inclusive to all. Artist Michelle Loughery
A project that evolved into the BC Legacy Highway and The WAYFINDER PROJECT in a signed MOU with the Province of BC. ART ROUTE CANADA WAS formed. The initiative was made North American wide with a partnership with the National Route 66 Association and AR:T ROUTE BLUE ART HIGHWAY was formed. A dream of a connected community mural art route, ( DESTINATION MURAL TOWN) on heritage highways with a digital story app AR companion.
World-renowned as a master muralist, Michelle is recognized is recognized by the world to have created a community based Youth Mural Trades Training/Employment Program that created opportunities for youth of all nationalities. In 2008 Loughery created a charity called Loughery Mural ARTworks which was a charity that created mural art programs for indigenous youth and communities.
Murals of Note are the Elvis Presley Estate sanctioned mural
Tim Mc Graw sanctioned mural-featured in film Tomato Red
911 Smithsonian Mural in New York
Italian Icon Princess Sveva Caetani mural
BC-based artist Michelle Loughery is known for her diverse body of work, ranging from large-scale mural portraiture to intricate abstract encaustic studio pieces. With a career spanning over three decades, she has also been involved in youth trades programming and community skills training. Loughery’s art is deeply rooted in community, history, and collaboration, reflecting her immigrant coal mining heritage. She has undertaken projects that have united entire communities through shared narratives, reimagining and rebranding trails in an inclusive manner.
Born and raised in a rural coal town, Loughery discovered her passion for creating large-scale art projects that engaged the community. From heritage and music-inspired themes to social change initiatives, her mural art became a driving force in North American placemaking. Her work has left a lasting economic and tourism legacy, earning her numerous awards.
The WAYFINDER (TM) program provided youth with firsthand experience and training not available at the time in traditional educational resources. This unique model has been duplicated globally in communities and institutions. While the program mentor and teach an array of job and life skills, the program also encourages youth and communities to view art as a sustainable business and a tool for social and economic revitalization.
Success of the Wayfinder Youth Mural Program is evident by so many youth participants having gone on to remarkably successful lives as muralists, artists, teachers, architects, engineers and business owners.
More than 3000 youth in communities around the world have benefited from this program. And hundreds of communities have been left with tourism infrastructure legacies.
Loughery’s most fulfilling achievement lies in empowering thousands of marginalized youth and seniors through her inclusive projects. Inspired by her family’s history of injustice during World War I, she designed the Internment Canada Sunflower Mural as a tribute, challenging social systems and advocating for youth inclusion and skills development.
For Loughery, her murals serve as catalysts for community development and social change, fostering a sense of place and inclusivity. Her bold artwork acts as a time machine, bridging the gap between past and present while empowering future leaders. Celebrating diversity and honoring unsung heroes are at the heart of her impactful creations.
ARTIST MICHELLE LOUGHERY 