Sidewalk mosaic art unveiled in Sapperton

New Westminster, BC – Four sidewalk mosaic art tiles were unveiled in Sapperton today as part of the recent East Columbia street improvement and beautification project. Development of the mosaic tiles involved a steering committee consisting of local business owners, residents, artists and developers working with city staff. The tiles are located at the crosswalks on the east and west side of East Columbia Street, between Sherbrooke and Braid.

“The mosaic tiles are beautiful and really add something extra special to this part of the city,” said Acting Mayor Lorrie Williams. “The tiles help tell Sapperton’s unique story and the whole project is a wonderful example of community engagement – of bringing community members together to take pride in the neighbourhood and beautify an urban landscape.”

Following a province-wide “call for artists”, Vancouver-based mosaic tile artist Bruce Walther was selected to create the public art. An open house in June 2010 brought together several dozen community members from the Sapperton neighbourhood to brainstorm ideas that eventually became the themes for the four mosaic tiles. Long-time New Westminster resident Curt Higham worked with his employer Ames Tile & Stone who generously agreed to donate the tiles for the project. The richly-coloured tiles are imported from Portugal.

“This, like the mosaic tile project on 12^th Street, really underscores the City of New Westminster’s commitment to the arts,” said Williams. “It also demonstrates how local government, corporate sponsors and citizens can work together to benefit the whole community, promoting civic pride, creating cultural tourism and boosting economic development at the same time.”

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Contact:               Greg Magirescu, Arts & Cultural Development Manager

                                604-527-4530 or