Art Created By Youth From Every Province and Territory Unveiled Today At Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport

Canada’s Youth Share 150+ Reasons We Love Canada with Hand-Painted Murals

Dieppe, NB: The Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM) is recognizing Canada’s 150th birthday with the official unveiling of 60 awe-inspiring, hand-painted murals created by youth from every Province and Territory across Canada.

The national 150+ Reasons We Love Canada project was created by VIBE Arts, an award-winning charitable organization that engages youth from marginalized communities through free arts education. The artists, aged 9+ come from 30 community organizations across the country including homeless shelters, under-resourced schools and youth agencies. The breathtaking murals express the spirit of Canada from their many unique perspectives honouring the diversity, culture, character and strength of our nation.

The original hand-painted murals (4’ x 6’) will be exhibited underground in Toronto’s subway stations with digital displays in 20 Canadian airports, 300 PATTISON Outdoor billboards and in 4 Canadian embassies around the world. After the exhibit, the original murals will return to the local community where they were created.

In New Brunswick, the art was created by youth from Chrysalis House in Fredericton, a nurturing home for youth to mend their past hurts in a supportive environment to develop essential life skills.

“This impactful initiative commemorates our nation’s 150th birthday and recognizes Canada’s future cultural leaders,” says Bernard LeBlanc, CEO of the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport. “We want to celebrate with our community by creating a memorable art display we can all enjoy.”

“Our 150+ murals represent the creative ability and leadership of 500 young Canadians, brought together to transform public space and inspire a nation through their collective art making”, says Julie Frost, Executive and Artistic Director of VIBE Arts.

The murals will be on display until the end of the year.

CONTACTS:

• Airport: Julie Pondant, Corporate Communications Specialist: 506-856-5459 / 506-962-2830
• VIBE ARTS: Julie Frost – Executive & Artistic Director:  416-929-9314 # 102/ 416-702-2849
• Chrysalis House: Wendy Moore 506-451-4767 / Cell:  506-292-0098

Artist leading the project:  Angela Black –

http://downtownfredericton.ca/place/open-your-art

About VIBE Arts

VIBE Arts is an innovative and award-winning charitable organization committed to providing children and youth in under-resourced communities with high quality community and school based arts education. With a 20+ year trajectory VIBE Arts has become one of the most celebrated community arts organizations in Toronto. For more information, please visit: www.VIBEArts.ca.

About CHRYSALIS HOUSE:

Chrysalis House provides a nurturing home for youth to mend their past hurts and a supportive and engaging environment for them to develop essential life skills.  They believe that every human being deserves to have a home; one that provides respect, safety and stability, nutritious meals and every opportunity to succeed.

 The 150 + REASONS project was made possible thanks to:

Pattison Outdoor Advertising, KPMG, TD Canada Trust, Toronto Pearson Airport, the Hal Jackman Foundation, the Chawkers Foundation, CIBC Mellon and the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th:  a collaboration between the Government of Canada, Community Foundations of Canada, the Laidlaw Foundation and 191 community foundations across Canada.

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About Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM)

YQM is a progressive airport and the leading airport in the central Maritimes. 24/7/365 – everyone associated with the airport strives to provide superior air service to passengers travelling all over the world and to the global cargo industry -safe, convenient, efficient, bilingual and businesslike. 

YQM also strives to maximize its contribution to local and regional economic and community development – it currently drives over $665 million of economic activity annually, making it one of the top private-sector economic contributors to New Brunswick’s economy.

Your economy. Your airport.

For more information:
Julie Pondant, Corporate Communications Specialist
506-856-5459 or 506-962-2830
jpondant@cyqm.ca