Radiant Renewal 

Jasper AB, Canada, 2024

Selected for UpLift! mural festival in Jasper, Alberta as part of their Recovery in Colour program.

Pollinators are an integral part of rebuilding an ecosystem after a wildfire. They help flowers, shrubs, and trees reproduce, while also enticing their predators back into the environment. Regularly when we hear the word pollination, we think of bees, and although they play a key role, I wanted to feature some species as unique as Jasper. While most are nocturnal, the hummingbird clearwing is one of the few moths that pollinate flowers during the day. I’ve also included two butterfly species; mourning cloak and Milbert’s tortoiseshell. 

Fireweed has become a beacon of hope over the past couple of years for the community of Jasper. As the flower populates burn sites after wildfires have scorched the terrain, it symbolizes resilience, renewal, and transformation. Another flower that grows in burn sites and represents the same idea of perseverance is blue flax.

While the 2024 wildfire has devastated Jasper, these plants and pollinators are an indication that the environment is recovering. These species play an important role in regenerating the ecosystem. This mural is a vibrant reminder that even after a traumatic event, we can still heal and grow.