Surrey Council Approves Artist for 100 Public Art Banners

Surrey City Council has officially approved a contract for the creation of public art banners to be displayed on approximately 100 street poles throughout the city. The council selected artist Julia Vasileva to design these banners, which will be part of the city’s effort to enhance its public spaces ahead of the 2026 rollout.

According to Laurie Cavan, Surrey’s General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Culture, the introduction of public art street banners allows local artists to showcase their creativity while also enriching the urban landscape. “Public art street banners provide an opportunity for artists to share their creativity with the community, while also enhancing the City’s public realm,” Cavan stated in a report presented to the council.

The intent behind these banners is to improve the experience of the streetscape for various commuters, including drivers, cyclists, transit users, and pedestrians. Fabrication and installation of the banners will be coordinated through the City’s Town Centre Street Banner Program, with new designs installed each spring.

A review panel evaluated a total of 76 design proposals before selecting Vasileva for this project. Based in Vancouver, Vasileva is known for her work in children’s literature, as well as for creating greeting cards, posters, and other graphic design projects. Cavan noted that Vasileva employs both digital and traditional media, integrating hand-cut stencils and paper-cut techniques to create textured illustrations.

Vasileva’s design, titled Flora in Motion, features dual panels resembling butterfly wings. The wing pattern incorporates native British Columbia plants such as the Pacific Bleeding Heart and Nootka Rose, linking the artwork to the local ecology. The design’s bright colors and clear shapes are intended to be easily visible from a distance, introducing warmth and vibrancy to the streetscape.

The financial backing for this initiative comes from the Civic Street Banner Program, which is part of the city’s Community Enhancement Budget. The program has an annual budget of $125,000 allocated for materials and labor, facilitating the placement of banners at 1,015 locations city-wide. Of these, approximately 100 will feature Vasileva’s public art design. The artist will receive a fee of $3,000 for her work on this project.

This public art initiative not only aims to beautify Surrey’s streets but also to foster a sense of community connection through artistic expression. As the city prepares for the installation of these banners, residents and visitors alike can look forward to a more vibrant urban environment.