Trinity Anglican Church, in downtown Ottawa, has a large brick wall, facing the street, that had long been a target of vandals and impromtu street artists. Tired of the high price of constant graffiti removal, the priest decided to reach out to the community, and design a new mural that everyone would work on together.
Thorpe remarks that for some participating youth this is the first time they have been accepted without judgement by the church. “These kids are used to being spat on,” says Thorpe, but is heartened that at this wall reconciliation is taking place. “Our approach is to be in community, and talk about values, and be in relationship and explore how that might change people.” The wall, for one youth, is the first time she has had contact with the church in ten years.
The mural was completed and unveiled on September 3rd. Read the full story here.