White Rock is a beach town, at least that’s what most people think when they think of White Rock. But did you know that White Rock is also home to a thriving arts & culture scene? Musicians, painters, potters and photographers all call White Rock home. You can find artwork, waiting to be discovered, around almost every corner, whether it’s sculptures, hydro boxes, lamp standards or hidden (and temporary) “rainy day only” artworks. One of our favourite forms of public art is the colourful murals that adorn the sides of many buildings throughout the city. We’ve even created a map with most of the murals so you can plot your journey.
Here’s our guide to White Rock’s murals:
Coastal Landscape
Location: Uli’s Restaurant, 15023 Marine Drive
This coastal landscape mural by Vancouver based graffiti-artist ‘Craver’ adorns the side of Ulis Restaurant and depicts rugged old-growth trees and as an ode to the West Coast forests of British Columbia.
Blue Frog
Location: Blue Frog Studios, 1328 Johnston Road
This whimsical guitar-playing blue frog is an ode to White Rock’s premier live recording studio Blue Frog Studios.
The Gray Whale Family
Location: 15248 Russell Avenue
This mural of a gray whale family accompanied by Pacific bottlenose dolphins is possibly White Rock’s most recognizable mural. It was created by artist Robert Wyland in 1984 as part of the Wyland Walls campaign to increase appreciation for aquatic habitats.
Artist-Inspired (4Cats Mural)
Location: 14700 Marine Drive (next door)
This small utility building along West Beach sports murals on each of it’s 4 walls. The walls were painted in 2012 by artists from 4 Cats Art Studios in White Rock and South Surrey and each wall was inspired by the works of Monet, Van Gogh and Norval Morrisseau.
The Wonderful Year We Fell in Love
Location: Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Road
The Wonderful Year We Fell in Love, was painted by artist Elizabeth Hollick in 2014 on the outside wall of the Coast Capital Playhouse. It pays homage to, and depicts, the unforgettable characters from the annual pantomime of the White Rock Players’ Club.
Olympic Flame Mural
Location: Corner of Marine Drive & High Street
Another wonderful piece of work by artist Elizabeth Hollick, this colourful mural is located across the façade of a retaining wall on West Beach and was designed to welcome the Olympic flame to White Rock in 2010 during the Olympic Torch relay. The famous White Rock and other signature White Rock icons are pictured.
Semiahmoo Arts Mural
Location: Semiahmoo Arts Building (14601 20 Ave, Surrey)
Created in 2014, Richard Tetrault’s mural portrays a variety of culturally based images to showcase the diversity of arts in White Rock. This collaborative mural involved local artists, Mallory Donen, Adam Lipschultz, Jeff Wilson and Jolayne Devent, who designed and drew the images on the south-facing wall.
White Rock Travel Mural
Location: 1472 Johnston Road (alley)
This mural by artist, Elizabeth Hollick, is a whimsical look at different cultures and wonderful places to travel, adorns the side alley of White Rock Travel.
Lifting Hands
Location: Across from Peace Arch Hospital emergency entrance
‘Lifting Hands’ celebrates our community frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Handprints from frontline health care workers, police officers and firefighters border the colourful design. It was created by Say Thanks Surrey, a student-led campaign launched to raise funds for front-line workers.
Heroes
Location: West Beach Parkade (Victoria & Vidal)
This mural was painted by artist Jim Davidson, during the summer of 2020, the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and depicts reflects White Rock residents appreciation of the work of frontline “heroes”, including British Columbia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Bonnie Henry.
Selfie Stop at the Beach
This selfie stop is a bright pop of colour along Marine Drive nestled between restaurants and ice cream shops. Created by local artists, Melanie Watts, and Brandy McLean, in partnership with the White Rock Business Improvement Area, the mural is a perfect spot to stop and put yourself in the picture!
Spirit Bears
The Spirit Bears, although technically not murals, stand at 7 feet tall and are true works of art. There are 3 Spirit Bears around the community, each painted in very different motifs! The Spirit Bears were a public art project by the BC Lions Easter Seal Operation and Canucks for Kids Fund in support of children’s health and wellness.
14600 North Bluff Road – Elizabeth Hollick
15342 Buena Vista Avenue – Deborah Putman
White Rock Elks Mural
Location: 1469 George Street
This huge mural of an elk painted in 2002 by artist Greg Evans-Davies adorns the North wall of White Rock’s Elks Lodge.
Covered Bench Murals
There are three charming covered benches in White Rock each brightly painted in whimsical designs. Originally installed as bus shelters, the covered benches remain as public art pieces.
1. Purple cat bench mural – Columbia Street and between Finlay Street and Maple Street.
2. Butterfly Bench – Donated by the White Rock Elks, this vibrant mural is hidden undercover in Five Corners.
3. Floral Bench – Oxford Street and between Russell Avenue and Vine Avenue.
Good afternoon a I was told yiu made taking submissions for murals. How do I sign up?
We would recommend contacting the City of White Rock’s Recreation & Culture department – recreation@whiterockcity.ca | 604-541-2199