Proposed Parks Canada policies for murals in Jasper would stifle art and compromise a burgeoning local festival, proponents say.

On March 21, at Jasper National Park’s Planning and Development Advisory Committee meeting (PDAC), Parks Canada will present proposed amendments to Jasper’s Architectural Motif Guidelines. 

The proposed changes are on the table to formalize the process of rendering murals on Jasper buildings—a response to the planned continuation of UpLift Mural Festival, which is gearing up for its 2024 chapter. 

“In our current policy, murals are not strictly spoken about,” said Erin Saunders, JNP’s Manager of Realty and Municipal Services. “This amendment is to formalize the process.”

But that formalization would severely hamper the integrity of the artists, the murals and the festival itself, according to UpLift festival organizers.

Among the most consequential proposed changes to how UpLift operates, are guidelines which would dictate that all murals must have a development permit, and that the murals must adhere to a Jasper colour palette.

Jasper National Park’s Town of Jasper Land Use Policy has specific guidelines for colours in the manmade environment; the palette for exterior walls “must be subdued and blend with the natural surroundings,” according to an excerpt.

By putting such conditions on the creation of murals, Parks Canada will stifle the creative expression of UpLift’s curated artists and ultimately risk dismantling a festival which has, on the whole, benefited the community and its visitors, says UpLift Mural Festival co-founder Logan Ireland.

“We’re grateful that Parks Canada wants to work collaboratively to allow murals to continue in Jasper but once the final say is handed over, I think the integrity of the art is at stake,” Ireland said. 

Ireland pointed out that UpLift already has policies in place to ensure that all murals are of the highest quality—artistically and ethically. For one, all UpLift mural artists are contractually-bound to create a mural in a similar style and quality to their existing portfolio and follow local regulations; and two, all artists are vetted by a 10-person community jury which reviews applicants based, in part, on their suitability for Jasper.

“We believe these policies satisfy any legitimate concerns while also preserving artistic integrity, freedom of expression and cultural respect,” Ireland said.

Parks Canada’s intention, Saunders explained, is to present the proposed amendments to PDAC, which will then make recommendations to Jasper National Park Superintendent Alan Fehr. Saunders said the amendments would make the guidelines clear to any future lessee who might want to submit a mural application.

“There may be others in the community who might not want to go through UpLift,” Saunders suggested.

In the two years since Ireland and fellow UpLift organizer Oliver Andrew started the festival, Uplift has facilitated the installation of seven murals in Jasper. Those instals had the expressed permission of the park superintendent, but only as part of a pilot project, Saunders said. 

“It’s not unusual to do things on a trail basis,” she said. 

Because of that permissive environment, Uplift soared. The town’s streetscapes and alleyways were revitalized and a host of creators—including Indigenous artists with ties to Jasper National Park—were empowered to tell their stories through their paintings.

But now that administrators want to put guidelines on the murals, there is a real risk of restricting not only artists’ creativity, but their heritage, Ireland said.

“To support the artist’s choice of colour palette is to support their process, their mural and in some cases, their very culture.”

Saunders said that Jasper National Park is supportive of murals, and putting in guidelines would ensure any murals connect to Jasper, and preserve its small town, mountain community feel.

“For example we wouldn’t want a neon Eiffel Tower,” she said. 

But mandating that all artists develop a mural which is representative of Jasper National Park’s natural and cultural heritage is exclusive of artists who don’t practise painting in a representational manner, UpLift says. 

“We wish to encourage diversity in art,” organizers posted on social media.

Ireland is also concerned that if the proposed amendments are adopted, the approval process for obtaining a development permit would hamper future muralists’ inspiration. He cited the 2023 mural behind Jasper’s clocktower mall, in the Connaught/Patricia Street alley, which features a to-life reproduction of Jasper centenarian Della Senz. Artist Alex Kwong only met Della one week before he started painting her portrait. Kwong himself has said he couldn’t have done the mural if the proposed amendments were in place.

“If Parks restrictions were in place, my mural wouldn’t have been possible due to colour palette and timeline,” Kwong has said.

Saunders said Parks Canada is open to feedback from the community.

“This is our opportunity to put it out to the public and receive feedback,” she said. 

With that in mind, Ireland is putting the word out to UpLift supporters to write to Jasper National Park’s superintendent, and to the Parks Canada development office, to let the agency know how they feel about public art.

“Murals are for all of us,” Ireland said. 

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com