The ribbon is cut for a new mural, painted by local artist Kelly Everill, at the Courtenay Legion.
The new mural was started in October 2021, but was not able to be finished until recently because of poor weather.
Everill says it took her five days to put the whole mural together and around four hours to add all the lettering.
She says the mural means a lot to her because of her family’s connection to the military.
“My dad was in the air force for quite some time. He was an air force plane mechanic,” she said. “He’s a member of the Legion and he passed away a couple of years ago too so it means a lot to me and my family as well.”
She says her family history shaped the design of the painting and it resonates with the area with the air force base nearby.
While painting the mural, Everill says many people would come by and take some time out of their day to remember.
“I’ve had so many people, while I was doing it, stop by and they’ve cried and took a moment to remember their loved one or whoever they’re thinking of at the time,” she said. “We need to bring a lot more beauty to our world and it really helps to make people feel like they belong to a town.”
She adds it opened up the conversation with younger residents of the valley.
The mural can be seen looking down Cliffe Avenue, across from the Native Sons Hall.
