New Murals in Port Coquitlam: Downtown Art and Remembrance
Two new murals in Port Coquitlam bring community stories into the heart of downtown. On Elgin Avenue, a colourful welcome celebrates familiar places, wildlife and activities. Along the McAllister Avenue pathway beside Veterans Park, a sidewalk mural honours Canada’s veterans with a message of remembrance.
These artworks offer different reasons to pause during a downtown walk. One invites visitors to discover the illustrations inside the letters of PORT COQUITLAM. The other brings reflection into a public space people pass through every day.
Poco Living followed the Elgin Avenue mural as it took shape and spoke with artist Carly Bouwman about its design. Now complete, it joins the “Lest We Forget” sidewalk mural as another reason to explore downtown on foot and look more closely at its public art.
A Colourful Welcome to Downtown Port Coquitlam
At 2320 Elgin Avenue, at Shaughnessy Street, the completed “Welcome to Downtown Port Coquitlam” mural brings a bright new presence to the streetscape.
Created by Carly Bouwman and commissioned by the City of Port Coquitlam, the postcard-style mural combines oversized lettering with illustrations inspired by the community. Its two sections sit on either side of a business entrance, encouraging visitors to follow the artwork along the building.
The deep blue background sets off the pinks, oranges, yellows, and lighter blues within the design. From across the street, the city’s name makes an immediate impression. From the sidewalk, the smaller scenes inside each letter begin to reveal themselves.
It is a welcome sign with plenty to explore beyond the words.
Local Stories Inside Every Letter
In her interview with Poco Living, Carly explained that the images inside the letters represent different elements of Port Coquitlam.
Cyclists ride along pathways, runners follow the river, and familiar gathering places appear alongside wildlife and sports scenes. The Port Coquitlam Community Centre, Terry Fox, and the Terry Fox Hometown Run are among the references included in the artwork.
Bears, beavers and other wildlife reflect the city’s connection to nature, while recreational scenes capture the activities that bring people together. Rather than concentrating on a single landmark, the mural draws from several aspects of everyday life.
That variety gives visitors different ways to connect with the piece. Someone might recognize a favourite walking route, notice a sport they play or spot an animal they have encountered nearby. Families can follow the lettering together and see which details each person finds first.
Poco Living’s close-up video explores the artwork one letter at a time, revealing how much is contained within the finished design. In person, the mural rewards the same unhurried attention.
Meet the People Behind the Mural
Carly was supported during the painting process by her husband, Todd Kohler, and Tamana S.H. Djuya, a local artist who volunteered her time to help.
During her conversation with Poco Living, Carly spoke appreciatively about their contributions. Seeing the work develop offered a glimpse of the effort behind the finished mural: building up areas of colour, filling the illustrations and returning to the smaller details that complete each scene.
The finished artwork is also a reminder of the people behind public art. What becomes part of a familiar street begins with planning, painting and many individual decisions made along the way.
To explore more of Carly’s work, visit Carly Bouwman’s website.
A New Chapter for an Established Mural Location
The wall on Elgin Avenue already held a place in Port Coquitlam’s public art history.
The new artwork replaces Span of Time, completed in 1998 by artist Brandie Rawluck, with assisting painters Carol Ham and Adrian Hrytzak. That earlier mural explored the city’s history and development.
In its notice about the Elgin Avenue mural changes, the City acknowledged the contributions of the artists, volunteers and community members connected to the earlier works.
Carly’s mural continues the location’s role as a place for visual storytelling, introducing a new design centred on local landscapes, landmarks, wildlife and community life.
Where to Find the Elgin Avenue Mural
Address: 2320 Elgin Avenue, at Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam.
Take time to view both sections and move closer to explore the illustrations within the lettering. When stopping for photographs, keep the business entrance and sidewalk clear for others.
“Lest We Forget”: A Sidewalk Tribute Beside Veterans Park
Along the McAllister Avenue Multi-Use Pathway beside Veterans Park, the “Lest We Forget” sidewalk mural honours the service and sacrifice of Canada’s veterans.
Large white words stand out against a dark background, leading toward a soldier silhouette and maple leaf on a red field. Its bold design gives the message a clear presence within the pathway.
The setting makes this artwork different from a traditional wall mural. People encounter it as they move through the area, with the words and imagery unfolding along their route. It brings a moment of remembrance into an ordinary walk, cycle or trip downtown.
A Community Idea Brought to Life
The idea for the mural was originally brought forward to Council by Joseph Domingo, a local cadet.
The design was developed by the City of Port Coquitlam and produced in partnership with installation team Drip & Roll, as part of the City’s public art program.
The City announced a public unveiling for September 8, 2026, involving Mayor and Council and the Royal Canadian Legion, Port Coquitlam Branch 133. Its announcement also recognized Domingo’s role in helping bring the project forward.
The story behind the artwork adds another layer to its meaning. A suggestion from a community member became a visible tribute within a shared public space.
More information about the project is available on the City’s “Lest We Forget” mural page.
Remembrance Throughout the Year
The location beside Veterans Park is significant. The park hosts Port Coquitlam’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony, connecting the mural with a place where the community already gathers to honour those who served.
The sidewalk artwork extends that message beyond November 11. It remains part of the surroundings throughout the year, offering an opportunity to reflect during everyday journeys.
Its simple wording leaves space for personal responses. For some visitors, it may bring to mind a family member or a particular history. For others, it may prompt a conversation about service, sacrifice, and the importance of remembering.
Where to Find the Sidewalk Mural
Location: McAllister Avenue Multi-Use Pathway, beside Veterans Park, downtown Port Coquitlam.
Use Veterans Park as your map destination, then look for the mural on the adjacent McAllister Avenue pathway.
Exploring the New Murals in Port Coquitlam
Both murals can be part of a downtown outing, with each offering a different experience.
Start on Elgin Avenue and take in the full welcome before looking through the individual letters. Then visit the McAllister Avenue pathway to see the remembrance artwork in its setting beside Veterans Park.
A few simple ways to enjoy the visit:
Look from different distances. The overall designs and smaller details offer different perspectives.
Give yourself time. The illustrations within the Elgin Avenue lettering are easy to miss during a quick glance.
Consider the light for photographs. Tree shadows can fall across the sidewalk mural, while softer daylight may make details easier to capture.
Visitors looking to extend their outing can explore Poco Living’s guide to the Coquitlam River in Port Coquitlam. The City’s public art directory also introduces other installations around the community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Port Coquitlam’s New Murals
Where is the “Welcome to Downtown Port Coquitlam” mural?
The mural is at 2320 Elgin Avenue, at Shaughnessy Street. It spans two sections of a building’s exterior, with a business entrance between them.
Who painted the Elgin Avenue mural?
Carly Bouwman created the mural, with painting help from her husband, Todd Kohler, and local volunteer artist Tamana S.H. Djuya.
Is the Elgin Avenue mural finished?
Yes, the mural is complete. Poco Living’s earlier coverage shows the painting process, while visitors can now see the finished artwork downtown.
What is shown inside the mural’s letters?
The illustrations include local landmarks, wildlife, cycling, running, and sports. References to Terry Fox, the Terry Fox Hometown Run, and the Port Coquitlam Community Centre are among the details to discover.
Where is the “Lest We Forget” sidewalk mural?
It is on the McAllister Avenue Multi-Use Pathway beside Veterans Park, in downtown Port Coquitlam.
Who created the “Lest We Forget” mural?
The City of Port Coquitlam developed the design and worked with Drip & Roll on the installation. Joseph Domingo, a local cadet, originally brought the idea forward to Council.
Is there a charge to see the murals?
No ticket or admission fee is needed to view these outdoor artworks from the public sidewalk and pathway.
Can both murals be visited during the same outing?
Yes. Both are downtown and can be included in the same visit. Use the linked maps to plan your route between Elgin Avenue and Veterans Park.
Can visitors take photos?
The murals can be photographed from the public viewing areas. Keep storefront entrances and pathways clear, and give other visitors space to enjoy the artwork.
Whether you stop to recognize a familiar scene or pause beside a message of remembrance, these murals offer a closer connection to the stories shared in downtown Port Coquitlam.
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