THUNDER BAY -- It's not hard to tell Thunder Bay is becoming more vibrant this summer.
Colours have fully flooded the walls of Cooke Street where the Die Active Art Collective hosted the Lost and Found Street Art Festival on Saturday.
In honour of the collective’s 10th anniversary, and opening of the first official graffiti alley for the city of Thunder Bay, it was time for citizens to share in the fun.
“It’s an authentic voice of the collective and the youth… This day shows how arts and culture is very important to a city,” graffiti artist Kathleen Beda said.
The work of 70 artists, and the presence of 25 vendors, live music, a BMX park, and a 30-degree sunny day, all added to a very vibrant atmosphere on Saturday.
“I think it’s a really cool event because it allows artists to showcase their work, and really shows how vibrant the local art scene is,” local Jamie Luft said.
Permission to paint in the alley was granted by the city, and businesses wanting to participate in Cooke Street project. Over 70 artists have been enhancing the walls of the street for the last four years.
“It kind of breaks down the stereotype with graffiti and street art,” Beda said. “Once you have the people behind you… it shows everyone in this community they’re valued.”
Beda said each year, artists from the collective decided to pursue a public graffiti venue, citing it as something that would make them “proud to be from Thunder Bay.”
The result speaks for itself.
“We’ve grown. People are realizing that this could be a place they can call home and make their mark on a city.”
“To have 70 [artists] come together and pitch in and add ideas, and have it look like this, it’s great,” said Elijah Castellan.
Even non-official graffiti artists got a chance to show their true colours. A makeshift wall was set up for spray painting, and 10-year-old Sophie Shaffer took full advantage.
“My mom’s a tattoo artists so she draws and I like to draw too,” she said. “I just love to look at art and stuff.”
