Stories from the WALL

the painter lifts her brush…..

MEMOIRS FROM THE WALL

The MASTER MURALIST, recipient of the BC Achievement Award, transformed a passion for mural painting into a globally recognized social economic infrastructure model for creative community building through the employment of art trade skills, social programming and community creative procurement and placemaking.

The artist stood at the edge of the hot scaffolding, overlooking the sprawling canvas of the city below. The wind tugged at her paint-splattered hair, and the distant sounds of traffic and conversation floated up to the rooftop studio. It was a place she had come to know intimately over the years, a place where dreams took shape, lives fell apart and creativity knew no bounds. As she surveyed the streets below and the vast brick wall yet to be finished, the artist couldn’t help but wonder how she had arrived at this precipice of creation. Each wall another lens, each community another story. And all of the brick walls morphing into one never ending conversation and relationship with the elements and the space and people below the safety of the scaffolding. This memoir is my attempt to unravel the tangled threads of my past, to make sense of the choices I’ve made, and to find meaning in a life filled with both triumphs and tribulations on walls around the world.”

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The Work and Life of Artist Michelle Loughery

CHAPTER TITLE -THE MURALIST

Michelle Loughery’s artistic journey spans from monumental mural portraiture to intricate, emotive abstract encaustic studio pieces. Over three decades ago, her artwork evolved to encompass youth trades programs and community skills training, catalyzing the transformation of entire communities through collaborative creative placemaking endeavors.

Hailing from a rural coal town, the artist found fulfillment in working on a larger scale and engaging the community, particularly the youth and seniors. Her diverse projects, from heritage and international music themes to youth social change murals and crime prevention initiatives, exemplify the profound impact of her artistry on society.

Michelle Loughery: Transforming Communities Through Art

At the heart of Loughery’s creations lies a commitment to challenging social systems and advocating for marginalized voices. This is poignantly demonstrated in her Internment Canada Sunflower Mural, paying homage to those interned during World War I, including her own great-grandparents. Additionally, her art serves as a conduit for addressing injustices and championing indigenous youth through the Wayfinder ArtWORKS Projects, fostering youth inclusion and skills development.

Emphasizing the distinctiveness of her mural work, Loughery maintains that it embodies love, inclusion, and social change, weaving together the threads of community development and historical narrative. Her murals not only define spaces but also beckon viewers to participate in a dialogue with the depicted stories, creating a profound sense of connection and empathy.

Loughery’s determination to amplify overlooked narratives is evident in her tributes to the first responders of 9/11 and her Icon Murals, sanctioned by the celebrities she collaborated with. Through these poignant artworks, she elevates the voices of the past, underscoring the timeless relevance of their stories.

Beyond her visual artistry, Loughery’s creative practice extends into digital storytelling and cultural presentations, encompassing mediums such as podcasting. Her dedication to unveiling cultural stories has culminated in a rich tapestry of historical narratives, woven into her multi-media works with profound intuition and expression.

Central to Loughery’s ethos is the transformative power of art, embodied in her Wayfinder ArtWORKS Projects and the monumental legacy building trail she blazed. Her unwavering commitment to youth mentorship and community infrastructure has earned her global recognition and numerous accolades, driving her passion for showcasing art as a socioeconomic catalyst.

With over 300 community murals and a plethora of public art initiatives worldwide, Loughery’s impact resonates through the captivating narratives she immortalizes on walls and installations. Her ardent advocacy for the arts has not only shaped communities but has also inspired academic exploration and facilitated intergenerational learning through inclusive digital art creation and storytelling avenues.