Image Credit: SUBMITTED: Vernon Public Art Gallery
September 06, 2022 - 5:10 PM
The controversial Behind the Mask mural project has been axed by Vernon council.
At today's council meeting, Sept. 6, Vernon council voted to pull the $33,000 funding and kibosh the murals.
"The citizens have spoken, we know they don't want these murals," councillor Scott Anderson told the meeting.
The only dissenting voice on the matter came from councillor Kelly Fehr who pointed out that council and the Regional District of North Okanagan had approved the project four times in the last year and it was unfair to pull the plug now.
Coun. Fehr attempted to put forward a motion that would change the locations of the murals in an effort to see the project approved, but he didn't get traction from the rest of the council.
"Denying this project at this point goes against what the public will is," Coun. Fehr said.
He said the public had supported the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre at the referendum in 2018 and wanted to make art a priority in the community.
However, Coun. Anderson said council had received an unprecedented amount of correspondence against the mural project and it was clear the public didn't want them.
Councillor Teresa Durning said she loved the project, but it wasn't about her tastes and that citizens had "screamed out" against the project and she couldn't vote for it.
Councillor Kari Gares had much the same sentiment.
"I like the project," she said. "However, I'm struggling with the fact that the broader vocal greater public hasn't bought in."
Coun. Gares said she too wouldn't be voting for it.
The Behind the Mask mural project quickly gained controversy after council originally approved the project in May.
While approving the spending for the project several councillors said the art might scare children.
The gallery said lots of school children had seen the project and weren't scared.
An online petition quickly popped up opposing the murals and to date has garnered more than 4,100 signatures. A petition in favour received 1,700 signatures.
The Vernon Public Art Gallery then held a public consultation and reported back to council the majority who participated supported the murals.
However, the gallery was criticized for not having an online aspect in its public consultation.
After an hour-long debate, council agreed the murals would just stay displayed at the Vernon Public Art Gallery and pulled the $33,000 of funding for the project.
READ MORE: JONESIE: Public art exposes politicians for who they really are
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