Project Overview

The Edmonton Mural Festival will lead the complete transformation of the Club 82 building at Southbark Dog Park on Whyte Avenue into a bold, immersive public art installation.

There are two parts, two themes that will wrap this mural project.

A combination of Emerging and Established artists, working together to reimagine the entire building as a large-scale collaborative artwork — creating a public painting event unlike anything Whyte Avenue has seen before.

This initiative will not only beautify the site but reposition it as Edmonton’s newest must-see cultural landmark.

Why Now?

In the wake of losing the beloved Cupcake Mural on 124 Street (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGUZS2L98SE), Edmonton lost a recognizable and widely photographed public art attraction. Club 82 presents a powerful opportunity to respond — not with a single mural, but with a fully activated, multi-artist public art installation that draws people in, sparks community pride, and celebrates Edmonton’s creative voice.

Artistic Vision

Emerging Voices Mural – LGBTQ2+ Curatorial and Artist Development

This project focuses on supporting the next generation of LGBTQ2+ curators and artists by creating a structured opportunity for growth, mentorship, and public visibility.

Led by an emerging LGBTQ2+ curator, this mural will be developed through an open artist call inviting emerging and equity-deserving LGBTQ2+ artists to apply. Selected artists will work collaboratively to design and execute a transformation of the east side of the building in a collaborative mural mosaic.

The project is rooted in mentorship and skill development. With guidance and support from the Edmonton Mural Festival and senior curatorial oversight, the emerging curators will gain hands-on experience in artist selection, concept development, and project execution. Participating artists will be supported throughout the process, gaining valuable experience in working at scale, collaborating in a team environment, and engaging with the public. The Edmonton Mural festival will also coordinate photo, video and media coverage for the project, helping share the stories and voices of emerging artists with the Edmonton public through earned media.

Through live painting during the Whyte Avenue Art Walk, this mural will become an interactive and highly visible platform that amplifies new voices and creates space for representation within one of Edmonton’s busiest cultural corridors.

At its core, this project is about access, opportunity, and building pathways for LGBTQ2+ creatives to grow into future leaders within the public art community while creating a cultural landmark in Old Stathcona, furthering the public show of support for the LGBTQ2+ community.

Established Voices Mural – LGBTQ2+ Leadership and Cultural Impact

This project brings together established mural artists from the LGBTQ2+ community alongside leading voices from the broader arts community to transform the west side of the building in a collaborative mural mosaic.

The participating artists will bring a high level of technical skill and professional experience, allowing for hands on learning for the emerging artists. Their presence also serves as inspiration and leadership within the broader Art Jam, creating a natural bridge between emerging and established practices. The combination of spectacle, collaboration, and community engagement will position the project as a landmark activation within the city.

At its core, this project is about mentorship, opportunity, and building pathways for LGBTQ2+ creatives to grow into future leaders within the public art community while creating a cultural landmark in Old Stathcona, furthering the public show of support for the LGBTQ2+ community.

The result will be :

• A fully wrapped public art structure

• A live community painting activation

• A destination-worthy cultural attraction on Whyte Avenue

• A celebration of Alberta’s mural talent