The proposed ‘Behind the Mask’ installment at the Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services building in Vernon. (image courtesy of Vernon Public Art Gallery/City of Vernon)

By Pete McIntyre

Mental health focus

Vernon mural project generates petitions both for and against

Jun 6, 2022 | 3:00 PM

A controversial mural project in Vernon has created a firestorm of debate, but the society behind it welcomes the discussion and says no changes are planned.

“I feel it’s a very positive thing. That’s what art is about is creating dialogue and having different opinions and having discussions. I think that’s the ultimate result. We have people talking,” Dauna Kennedy, the Vernon Public Art Gallery’s executive director, told Vernon Matters.

Proposed ‘Behind the Mask’ mural at Boseman Accounting in Vernon. (image courtesy of Vernon Public Art Gallery/City of Vernon)

The gallery is planning to install 11 murals on city-and privately-owned buildings as part of the “Behind the Mask’ project which also includes an exhibition at the gallery.

The project shines a light on mental health issues coming out of the pandemic. The participants created the masks themselves in workshops and those involved were then photographed wearing the masks in a setting of their choice.

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“We wanted to bring the topic of mental health forward, and this is just a very special local project that is dealing with local citizens and their individual stories,” Kennedy explained. “And together, those stories come together to make a beautiful exhibition. And the fact that it’s going to be installed out in our community so that everybody can ponder it and enjoy it, and have discussions around it, I think is the ultimate success.”

Vernon city council has given its support for the murals and agreed to provide $33,000 to cover the installation costs, with the project also eligible for money from a mural maintenance fund reserve.

Proposed ‘Behind the Mask’ mural at Boseman Accounting in Vernon. (image courtesy of Vernon Public Art Gallery/City of Vernon)

A petition opposed to the mural on change.org had generated over 3,000 supporters as of 2:00 p.m. today with initiator Sharmay Taylor saying “the murals are both costly and unattractive.”

“They are frightening to me so I can imagine they would be scary for young children. The art isn’t even completed by local artists.”

Kennedy said while Katie Green from Calgary is the project’s facilitator, it’s mostly local content.

“Each of the participants, they created their own mask, so the actual artists for the projects are all local artists. Katie Green was the facilitator for them to work through the artistic process. And we used a local photographer as well, and for the documentary, we used a local videographer.”

Kennedy said a documentary, that will be released soon, shows participants talking about the process and the impact it has had.

Proposed ‘Behind the Mask’ mural at the Vernon Community Arts Centre in Vernon. (image courtesy of Vernon Public Art Gallery/City of Vernon)

The gallery’s executive director said it’s possible some opponents don’t realize the project is about mental health.

“I think it’s unfortunate they’ve taken one image, which is actually quite whimsical in nature, and it’s kind of had a gloomy filter or something put over it, so that’s unfortunate that’s the picture people are gravitating and using for their argument.”

Behind the Mask image shown on change.org petition against the project. (Courtesy of chgange.org)

Kennedy encourages people to come into the gallery to see the images in person.

“They are so vibrant, and the stories behind them are so uplifting and so touching.”

Kennedy said some participants have seen “wonderful” improvements since going through the process.

LISTEN: Dauna Kennedy from the Vernon Public Art Gallery tells Vernon Matters they are not considering any changes due to the opposition to the Behind The Mask project.