A new artistic flair will be cementing its place this summer as jersey barriers or cement barriers will be getting an artwork makeover at Lloyd Mural Fest. Local artists will collaborate to beautify the heavy concrete surfaces during the Lloyd Ex Fair, July 9-12.
Artist Brandi Hofer explains that Mural Fest will turn drab cement barriers into art that celebrates the culture, history, and pride of Lloydminster.
“Those concrete parking barriers – we are bringing them on site during the fair. We will be painting them. You can actually see an example on 49 Street at the public gardens where we started with three. It already looks gorgeous in that area juts from those three jersey barriers.”
“Within the first five years of their festival, they increased foot traffic by 30 per cent – and local business.”
The project is canvassing support for volunteers, sponsors and artists. Already community support is stepping up.
“They can go to lloydmuralfest.ca. It has sponsors, volunteers, and artists right there and you can apply.”
Hofer who heads up the LPSD Art Academy says another aim is to involve youth.
“Working with the Youth Centre, the schools. Getting the tiny, little artists to come paint.”
Red Bicycle Communications is onboard with website design and support. Also the Lloyd Ex for supporting the initiative with the art space at the summer fair.
“I think its so important that they said, ‘Yes'”, says Hofer.
Also doing heavy lifting on the sponsors list TBar1 Transport, Bry-Tan Trucking, Windsor Plywood, Lloydminster Toyota, and Sherwin Williams who will be supplying materials.
The Lloyd Ex Fair gets over 25,000 guests each year which is a solid platform for the artists to showcase their skills.
“We really want to transform the Lloyd Ex Fair into the community fair. This is about celebrating Lloydminster,” says Jackie Tomayer, GM of Lloyd Ex, adding they will be providing some of the infrastructure and logistics needed for the outdoor art studio.
Logistics are already being discussed for 2026, and 2027 for more jersey barrier and mural painting, says Hofer.
“It’s going to grow,” says the creative with an eye for future expression.
