Majority of respondents in favour of Behind the Mask mural project

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The results found that 53.8 per cent of Vernon resident-respondents “strongly agreed that visual arts are an appropriate way to communicate social issues in the community,” while 51.2 per cent of people outside the city strongly agreed with the statement. The results show that 24.4 per cent of Vernon respondents (33.3 non-Vernonites) agreed with the statement, 10.5 per cent (10.2 non-Vernonites) were neutral, 4.6 per cent (2.5 per cent) disagreed, and 6.6 per cent (2.5 per cent) strongly disagreed.

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When asked to rate the approval of having the Behind the Mask exhibits become murals on buildings throughout Vernon, 49.2 per cent of Vernon residents and 55 per cent of non-Vernon residents responded that they strongly approved. The survey found that 15.9 per cent of Vernonites (10 per cent non-Vernon residents) approved of the project, 4.1 per cent (10 per cent) were neutral, 6.7 per cent (7.5 per cent) disapproved, and 23.9 per cent (17.5 per cent) strongly disapproved.

The survey found that 18 per cent of respondents came into the gallery as opposed to the proposed murals, but after learning more about the pieces, they changed their minds. The results also show that 22.6 per cent of respondents were not in favour of the murals and did not change their minds after learning about the messaging.

Those who responded negatively to the murals were able to provide specific feedback on how they would like to see the project changed. The top responses to pre-listed changes were having QR codes at mural sites to educate the public on the work’s meanings (47 checks), installing fewer murals (20 checks), choosing different locations (19 checks) and shortening the installation period from five years to two or three years (15 checks). There were 120 checks on the “Other” category which allowed people to fill in their own answers, which included “Keep it in the art gallery, not suitable for murals,” “Objections to entire project,” “Need for uplifting art or different art in our community.”

With the feedback in mind, VPAG has modified its Behind the Mask mural proposal.

The timeframe is being reduced from five years to three years; the scope of the project is being downsized by removing the large parkade picture and relocating it to a downtown location; relocating some murals while keeping in mind location and context; having QR codes and participant quotes on the pieces to provide more public context; and the overall number of murals, for which there are two options

Option A, which is what VPAG is recommending, is reducing the number of murals from 11 to 10. Option B is to eliminate murals by support workers Kelsie and Sarah, which is not recommended as “they are strong pieces both artistically and conceptually” writes VPAG, adding “their inclusion also illustrates more clearly that mental health impacts us all in some form or by association.”

VPAG will present Vernon City Council with the survey results and the modified proposal at the regular meeting Monday, July 18. Council is expected to debate and vote on the modified proposal at the meeting.

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