On Friday, July 18th at 3pm, the Pemberton Arts Council (PAC) hosted a vibrant Reveal Party to celebrate the completion of the Youth Mural Camp 2025, drawing a lively crowd of community members, families, and supporters to honour the creativity and hard work of local youth artists.
Led by Squamish-based muralist Alex Fowkes and assisted by Cléa Thomas, Executive Director of the Pemberton Arts Council, the four-day camp brought together nine talented teen artists: Lillian, Lisa, Rilan, Luna, Milaika, Cora, Julia, Willow, and Olivia; who collaborated to design and paint a stunning new public mural on the north wall of the Pemberton Community Centre.
This year’s mural wraps around and continues the vibrant piece painted during the 2024 Youth Mural Camp. The 2024 mural, which received an enthusiastic response from the community, can be viewed online here: [Stunning new mural at Pemberton Community Centre showcases talent of local youth – Pique Newsmagazine
Alex Fowkes explained that on the first day of camp, participants brainstormed ideas and sketched individual concepts, which were then thoughtfully combined into one cohesive mural. The final design is a dynamic and meaningful representation of their shared ideas and artistic expression.
This year, the Pemberton Arts Council awarded two Indigenous youth bursaries, reinforcing its commitment to creating equitable and inclusive opportunities in the arts.
The project was largely supported by the Village of Pemberton and the BC Arts Council. PAC would also like to thank its generous, ongoing sponsors: Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), Village of Pemberton, Speĺkúmtn Community Forest, Vancouver Biennale, Pemberton Valley Supermarket, and the Rotary Club of Pemberton.
Guests at the event enjoyed cake and refreshments. The atmosphere was filled with joy, pride, and community spirit as the mural was unveiled to resounding applause.
“This mural is more than just a beautiful piece of public art, it’s a symbol of youth creativity, teamwork, and the power of community support,” said Cléa Thomas, Executive Director of the Pemberton Arts Council. “Now in its third year, the Youth Mural Camp continues to grow as a fun and meaningful experience for local teens. We’re incredibly proud of what these young artists have accomplished, and we hope to make the camp an annual tradition in Pemberton for many years to come.”
The Youth Mural Camp is part of the Pemberton Arts Council’s Outside Voices Mural Project, a broader initiative that brings vibrant, community-driven murals to Pemberton and surrounding areas.
