CBYC Public Art Project: Officially Unveiled

The City of Beaumont is celebrating the completion and official unveiling of the new public art murals at the Chantal Bérubé Community Youth Centre (CBYC), marking the successful conclusion of a community-driven public art project shaped by youth and residents. 

The murals were unveiled during a community celebration attended by the Bérubé family, Mayor Lisa Vanderkwaak, project artist Josh Harnack, members of the Arts Advisory Committee, City staff and youth. The event also included recognition of Beaumont’s Youth of the Month recipients, post-project engagement activities and the premiere of the project video documenting the journey from concept to completion. 

The public art project began following the City’s 2025 call for submissions inviting Alberta-based artists and artist teams to help create permanent public artwork for CBYC. Designed to enhance community spaces, engage youth and celebrate creativity, the initiative set out to create more than public art, it aimed to create something shaped by community and rooted in local identity. 

After reviewing proposals from artists across Alberta, Edmonton-based artist Josh Harnack was selected to lead the project. Josh’s approach centred community participation, with the final artwork directly informed by the voices, stories and experiences of Beaumont residents. 

Over several months, the project moved through multiple phases including community engagement sessions, youth workshops, concept development, design refinement and mural execution. Youth participants contributed ideas, drawings and perspectives that directly shaped the final murals that reflect the spirit of Beaumont. 

What began as conversations, sketches and shared stories evolved into a series of murals that now live permanently at CBYC. 

These murals are more than public art, they reflect Beaumont’s identity. Youth played a central role throughout the project, helping shape artwork that celebrates belonging and self-expression while creating a stronger sense of place for future generations. 

Artist Josh Harnack shared: 

“From the beginning, this project wasn’t just about creating murals, it was about listening. The ideas from youth and residents shaped every layer of the artwork. This project belongs to the community as much as it does to me.” 

Larissa Ulcar, member of Beaumont’s Arts Advisory Committee, spoke to the role of public art in building community: 

“Public art creates moments of connection and belonging. When communities, especially youth, help shape these spaces, the result becomes more than artwork; it becomes part of a community’s identity and shared story. It’s been so rewarding to be a part of the CBYC community mural project. I can’t help but smile whenever I walk or drive by it” 

The completed murals also honour the legacy of Chantal Bérubé and reflect the creativity, imagination and expression that continue to inspire the youth the Centre serves today. 

The City thanks all residents, youth participants, community partners, the Bérubé family and project contributors who helped bring this vision to life. 

Residents are invited to visit the Chantal Bérubé Youth Centre to experience the completed murals and watch the project video to see how the artwork came together.