The 2024 wildfire exacted a terrible toll on Jasper, but instead of focusing on what’s been lost, Jasper’s next mural will honour The Things That Grew. 

Starting on August 6, helped along by a series of community events and opportunities for residents to gather, Belgian artist Gijs Vanhee will bring his whimsical, fantastical style to the large wall on the Jasper Activity Centre, opposite Commemoration Park.

“This project was born out of a motivation to reflect on the beautiful things that came out of last year,” said UpLift! Mural Festival organizer Logan Ireland. 

For Ireland, some of those things include the support which community members have demonstrated for each other, the renewed commitment of Jasperites to their town and the heroic efforts of firefighters on the night of July 24, 2024. 

“Over this past year our bonds have been made stronger,” he said.

Sponsored by the Red Cross, the mural and related events will imbue that connectedness further, Ireland hopes. 

“We hope it’s an opportunity for people struggling on the one year anniversary to focus on some of the good things. We’re not trying to say everything’s good. But through it all there are signs of hope,” he said.

Running over four nights from August 6-9, events will include a reflection on the Voices of Jasper exhibition; an interactive paint night; an outdoor movie screening in Commemoration Park; and a special summer Community Dinner presented by The Maligne Range.

Ireland said the artist will leave space in the mural’s design to incorporate elements of what he discovers, and who he meets while in Jasper. 

“He explores the connection between humanity and nature, and puts a lot of care and meaning into his work,” Ireland said.

For this piece, UpLift! organizers have been collaborating with the artist to help guide the mural’s design. Typically the artist has more or less free reign. In this case, the stakes are somewhat higher. 

“Because the local sentiment is so important to convey, we felt a duty to connect Gijs to the community,” Ireland said. 

Mural-related activities for The Things That Grew commence August 6. Check out UpLift!’s social media for more information on how to participate and pick up tickets for the community dinner at Andromeda Café or Otto’s Cache. 

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com