Peace Arch News, Wed. July 18

Beach washrooms say goodbye to white walls
By Laura Baziuk Black Press

Those visiting the public washrooms at White Rock beach this summer will see a work of art in progress.
During the Spirit of the Sea festival, two teams of local artists will cast seaside paintings on the exteriors of the White Rock East and West Beach public washrooms.
Visitors on West Beach can watch the mural in action by painter Elizabeth Hollick and her team, while artist Joanna C. Bevis and her team depict a scene of mermaids at play on the East Beach washrooms.
“It creates a celebration of creativity and colour and culture in our beautiful seaside world,” said Bevis, who goes by the artist name OJO and is no stranger to murals.
In addition to Bevis, a number of local artists – Nicci Battilana, Sarahmosa, and Alicia M. Balogh Ballard – make up her East Beach team.
“It’s fun for the city seeing great art in the community,” she said, adding she would love to see mural painting turn into a regular festival event and become interactive for the public so passersby can grab a brush and paint in their own expressions.
East Beach and West Beach washrooms get their mural makeover through Saturday and Sunday during the Spirit of the Sea festival, which takes place Aug. 3, 4 and 5.