Artist working to revitalize back alleys in Burnaby
Back alleys are typically seen as dark and dangerous areas but the City of Burnaby is hoping a local artist can help change that perception – one can of spray paint at a time.
Chris Allen is a professional artist who spends most of his time tattooing out of Grapevine Tattoo. But his love of art sparked his idea to ask the city of Burnaby to help him expand his work onto the city's walls.
"Anything that can brighten up somebody's day, whether it's a surprise wall that they can walk through and see or that they can relate to it's really cool to lend my hand to it."
Working in a tunnel just off Kingsway, Allen is working to transform the grey walls into a colourful walkway.
It's an approach he says makes the space not only vibrant but safer as well.
"I've probably had about four different women of various ages stop and say they love the work but also that they're really excited just because they feel safer on their daily walk to the SkyTrain and home."
Two women walking through the path agreed the new artwork brings life to the neighbourhood.
"Anything to help us feel a little bit more secure. I think it just makes it a bit brighter and makes it a bit safer for sure," one woman said walking by.
It's a plan the city hopes will help revitalize neighbourhoods.
"When you change a visual dynamic of an area, people become more engaged with upkeeping the area, take more responsible for it, take more ownership of it," said Todd Polich, the mural coordinator of the city of Burnaby.
"It's so dynamic and vibrant that it makes people get away from their phones and go check things out. It's the whole element of bringing something beautiful to the community and encouraging the community to keep it beautiful."
Allen's passion for art took off more than 20 years ago, after he decided to get sober. From tattooing to drawing – he creates on any canvas he can find.
"I knew from a young age, whether it was drawing on walls, or in the back of a classroom, or when I started pulling out my brushes and paints that this was my dream," said Allen.
But even though his latest installation is sanctioned by the local government, he says he's been mistaken for a vandal because he uses spray-paint.
"I had somebody call security on me, so security came up and I had to show them my contract," said Allen.
He plans to put a few more hours into this particular art piece before it's complete but hopes he can continue the project and bring colour and beauty to more empty walls around the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.