COUNTRY MUSIC HALL of FAME MURALS

MERRITT Youth Mural Project

In 2005 Loughery was contacted based on her Award Winning Projects in other communities to Design and Create the Country Music Capitol of Canada Youth Mural Project. This project was the catalyst for a downtown revitalization project that supported the building the Country Music Hall of Fame and Spirit Square. Over 100 indigenous youth contributed to the project with their energies and welcoming spirit to Loughery. Many celebrities joined the project with engagement and permissions to use their images. This iconic program has left social and economic impacts still leading projects in Merritt BC today. Over 25 plus iconic murals have left a tourism legacy that is still leading projects today. The Wayfinder Youth Model that the project was based on was the catalyst for an over 6 million dollar revitalization and rebranding of the downtown. Celebrities such as Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton, Ian Tyson, Johnny Reid, Allan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, and many more lent their support and collaboration. The indigenous youth of Merritt will always be the heart of the project and the true stars of the project.

A Iconic EPE sanctioned Mural of Elvis Presley was created with support from Dolly Jackson, president of the official Elvis Presley Fan Club. With conversations with iconic Radio Legend Red Robinson, who spent hours talking Loughery through the colour of Presley’s eyes and his experience with the King when he visited Vancouver.