After painting one of the city's yellow waste bins in June, artist Landon Muzio will now be leading a group of youth in painting eight more.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / Landon Muzio

KAMLOOPS - A pilot project was launched earlier this summer that turned one of Kamloops's large, yellow garbage bins into an urban canvas. Now, at-risk youth in the city are tasked with continuing the beatification process.

In June, artist Landon Muzio teamed up with Marcia Dick, the city solid waste services analyst, and the two decided to paint one of the yellow bins in the city that was frequently vandalized. They said using the bin as a canvas for urban art could mean into less vandalism, as street artists tend to respect other street artists.

Now, Muzio will help lead a group of youth in painting eight more of the bins that will be dotted around the city, according to a City of Kamloops media release. A group of youth from A Way Home Kamloops and Interior Community Services will meet with Muzio and spend the day painting, sharing their experiences, and enjoy lunch together.

After the initial project in June, discussions between various departments and artists focused on a way to continue the project in an impactful way. Business improvement associations, arts and culture groups, and sanitation noted that there were available grants focused on mentorship, arts and culture, and at-risk youth.

“The opportunity for growing this into a positive community initiative has brought together a number of stakeholders who have a vision for using the bins as canvases for public art rather than objects to vandalize,” the city's solid waste services analyst Marcia Dick said in the release. "Equally important is the chance for talented street artists to mentor youth at risk who have an interest in art and can be part of this project.”

The project is funded with a $2,500 grant which will cover the cost of supplies, artists, and equipment.

“The result of these conversations is a mentorship opportunity funded by the Community Action Initiative through the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and the Overdose Emergency Response Centre. The funds were allocated to this project by The Community Action Team to help support youth exiting street life," the city's social and community development supervisor Natalie Serl said in the release.

After the bins have been painted, discussions with various businesses and business improvement associations will determine where they will be placed.

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