‘Letting the world smile’: Mural in Berwick adds a message of diversity and inclusion
A new mural celebrating diversity and inclusion adds a splash of color and whimsy to the corner of Commercial and Cottage Streets in Berwick, NS
The municipality is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Randy Sanford, owner of the building, told Erin MacInnis about CBC Radios Information Morning Nova Scotia on Thursday that Berwick’s mural commission has been commissioning the artwork for the past two years.
The committee has asked building owners to sacrifice their walls to support the initiative, he said.
Information morning – NS9:00 amMeet an artist making his mark on the town of Berwick with a mural
On the side of a building in Berwick, Nigerian artist Ibe Ananaba has been working on a mural, rain or shine. The CBC’s Erin MacInnis takes us on a journey down the valley to visualize some of his process. We also meet the owner of the building which is being painted in bright colours.
The new mural, which received some last-minute details, was already causing traffic congestion as people slowed down to look, Sanford said.
“They call it anything from awesome to cool,” he said. “Everyone has their own perspectives. It’s a great thing. It adds quite a bit to the city, I think.”
Open call for entries
The mural is the work of Nigerian-born artist Ibe Ananaba. His proposal was chosen after the city issued an open call for proposals.
The Halifax artist sat between showers on Thursday working on the mural in a cherry picker, racing to finish it by Saturday.
Apple capital of Nova Scotia
Ananaba, whose background includes painting, art direction and fashion, said he wants the mural to unite people in the city.
“Berwick, as I’ve come to know, is the apple capital of Nova Scotia and open to welcoming people,” he said.
“The whole idea is to reflect the soul of Berwick, regardless of gender, regardless of age, regardless of creed, regardless of race.”
The mural shows a diverse group of happy people posing for a selfie. A Mi’kmaw persona in the center of the mural is shown holding up the phone.
Two other hands in the mural, of course, hold the city’s emblematic apples.
Challenges again
Ananaba said the rain proved to be challenging, but he prepared to work in whatever conditions he encountered on site.
When it rained, he said he would get off the elevator and analyze the mural, looking for ways to improve it.
Passersby have stopped to give him moral support and show how much they appreciate what he does, he said.
“As an artist, I enjoy captivating my audience,” he said.
“People here have been warm, so this is me transferring that warmth to the wall and making the world smile.”
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