'Step in a good direction': Northern Albertan artists combatting vandalism one mural at a time

Just underneath the North Parson’s Gateway overpass in Parson’s Creek is a pedestrian pathway that overlooks stormwater ponds and natural greenery.

Walking through that tunnel today, you will find a lengthy mural nestled along the scenic route.

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The Parson’s gateway underpass, however, was not always the attraction it is now.

The pathway first came under construction more than a decade ago, but operations were halted during the economic plunge. As a result, fewer residents and workers frequented the area.

What was intended to be an inviting space was left vulnerable to mischief and vandalism.

The area has since seen a number of incidents involving vandalism and damage to property other than graffiti, but Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) Mayor Sandy Bowman said that no case is too small.

“Any time vandalism impacts the people that live here, we take it seriously. One incident is one too many, and while overall crime rates have gone down in recent years, we are always mindful of what we can do to reduce vandalism while making the region a safer place,” said Bowman.

This is where local artist Sara Lichti comes in. The creative told Postmedia the run-down state of the tunnel became a “really big problem” for Fort McMurray because of the distasteful graffiti being plastered on the walls of the walkway.

Back in 2025, RMWB commissioned another artist, Maria Szychowska, to revitalize the entire pedestrian portion with a new mural. But that painting was vandalized soon after its completion.

Now, the municipality has invited Lichti to redo the project, with a brand-new scope in mind.

Lichti is a multimedia artist who built her foundation in the Fine Arts program at Brock University in Ontario.

Lichti’s intention is to create a space that celebrates the cultural diversities that Fort McMurray has to offer.

Titled Foods of the World, her design features a carefully curated combination of traditional food dishes, people preparing and sharing food, native greenery and wildlife unique to the region.

As food is a common denominator in various cultural practices, Lichti said the mural creates “one continuous artwork that reflects the diversity of (the RMWB) region.”

“The painting is meant to turn the space into a more thoughtful and respected space. We want to showcase our unity in diversity and the way that I translated that was with food,” Lichti explained.

Spanning approximately eight feet high by 160 feet long, the large-scale public art piece is painted across 27 concrete panels, each approximately five feet, six inches wide, with each ach geographic region spanning three to four panels roughly 22 feet in length.

The mural will flow across the entire tunnel, from one painting to the next, as one connected piece — much like what Lichti describes as a “tattoo sleeve.”

The mother of four said between juggling childcare and her family’s construction business, she has spent more than 150 hours in her busy schedule to complete the painting.

The Parsons tunnel mural is just one of the many beautification projects the RWMB is employing local artists to complete.

The initiative, which started as a graffiti abatement program in 2024, now serves as a public art mentorship opportunity for youth in the region.

Theresa Buller, recreation and culture co-ordinator at the RMWB, said almost all projects have been done in collaboration with schools in Fort McMurray.

“Almost all of the [paintings] have been youth-focused; (the children) helped the lead artist come up with design concept and then actually assisted with the actual painting,” Buller said, noting how the program is engaging youth more meaningfully in the community.

In June 2026, award-winning Cree Métis artist Jesse Gouchey of the Miska Creative Society completed two community mural projects in the hamlets of Janvier and Conklin. At Father R. Perin School in Janvier, Gouchey worked with students to create a mural at the entrance to the school gymnasium.

From June 8 to 12, Gouchey completed a second mural project at Conklin Community School. The artwork was painted on high-quality plywood panels and is scheduled for installation during the 2027 school year.

In addition, a separate public art initiative is currently underway at the Thickwood Transit Station retaining walls below Centrefire Arena. Led by artists Blake Loder, Logan Lauger, Maia Wendel, and Sofiya Novikova, the mural project will enhance a prominent public space near the intersection of Thickwood Boulevard and Eymundson Road and remains in progress.

Buller said the municipality is investing $120,000 in artist, mentee, and design fees, for the several projects.

Mayor Bowman said the initiative has already seen great results.

“We have tremendous artists in the region, and we also have several existing murals that have been created by local artists. It’s clear the impact these projects have already made, so this is a natural extension of what already works in the community. We are very hopeful that this will be a step in a good direction,” said Bowman.

IUmanah@postmedia.com

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