Colourful murals created by artists Ali Bruce and Jag Nagra will soon be painted on the drab exterior walls of buildings at Newton Athletic Park.
Bruce's work will grace the gray pavilion building at the busy park on 128 Street, while Nagra's art will be painted on the washroom/community room structure.
Surrey council approved their designs and contracts at a Feb. 24 meeting.
"Newton Athletic Park is a premiere destination for sports and athletics in the Lower Mainland, offering a wide range of sports facilities and amenities," says a report to the council authored by Laurie Cavan, GM of Parks, Recreation & Culture.
"Given the park’s wide popularity and use, it was recommended as a future site for public art in the Public Art Master Plan (2020-2029). Additionally, the extensive public engagement, as part of the Focus Newton campaign, expressed Newton residents’ desire for more public art in Newton."
The report shows mural renderings on several exterior walls of the two buildings.
"We plan to complete both murals by the end of June," Cavan told the Now-Leader.
The murals are funded through Focus Newton and the city's Public Art Reserve, Cavan's report notes. "Total public art costs for the pavilion project are $20,000, while total costs for the washroom/community room are $35,000. Costs include artist fees, design development, fabrication/installation, and maintenance."
The artist and design for the pavilion mural was determined through an open artist call and a two-stage community selection panel, while the washroom/community room mural was through a directed call to artists of South Asian Heritage.
A community selection panel included the president of Surrey FC Soccer Club, a liaison from the seniors’ user group of the community room, and a local artist with mural experience.
Ali Bruce is an artist and illustrator, originally from northwestern Ontario and now living and working in Vancouver.
A visual artist and community advocate, Jag Nagra has a number of artworks in the Museum of Vancouver's permanent collection and is a co-founder of the Punjabi Market Collective.
