City Hires Artists for Graffiti Mural Projects Around Town

A few years ago, seeing someone spray-painting in a back alley would have drawn dirty stares if anyone bothered batting an eye at all.

But that wasn't the case for artist Travis Doubt yesterday, who stopped to let tourists take photos of his work and acknowledged various compliments from residents passing by as he painted on an alley wall off Granville Street.

That's because Doubt doesn't have to worry about the city giving him grief. They're the ones who commissioned him through the City of Vancouver's mural program.

The program began in 2003 with a novel concept: Have artists create stunning murals that brighten up the neighbourhood and detract vandals from tagging local businesses.

"These artists are quite well known, so taggers wouldn't dare tag one of their murals," said Gurdeesh Dhaliwal, the city's mural co-ordinator. "Plus the end product is remarkable."

Doubt's mural, in the alley behind 1202 Granville Street, is certainly shaping up to be.

The Ottawa-native - one of about 50 artists who donors can commission through the city's program - is working on a life-size mural blending images of modern day Granville Street and historic photos by renowned photographer Fred Herzog.

"The city is a good thing to have in your corner. They're hooking me up with the supplies and the space for my work and people that see it, love it," he said.

Vince Dumonlin, an artist who works in Gastown, has contributed many works, including a block-long mural profiling famous artists, just east of the SFU Harbour Centre, in an alley between Richards and Seymour Streets.