Many people see the perfect Instagram wall, hand their phone off to their friend and they take 173 photos. All are almost the same but the pose and angles just change gradually. What most people don’t know the reason why they are there or even the artists behind them.

Alley Oop

(@beyunique / Instagram)

Alley Oop, also known as “Pink Alley”, used to be a Vancouver alley way that most did not even pay attention to but in September of 2017 there was a bit of a face lift. The bright alley way is now the perfect spot for a photo shoot, there are basketball courts and sometimes even food venders. Student go between classes, night club goers hang out in the laneway and photographers snap photos. This has been a great spot for people to gather and now has triple the amount of visitors and more have been female, which tends to mean this is a safer space. “Alley Oop” is located between Hastings and Pender at Granville and Seymour.

FunAlley

(@fun_alley / Instagram)

FunAlley is located near the Lonsdale Quay and it is the brightest ally North Vancouver has to offer. This alley was nothing special but with a few splashes of paint, it has completely transformed. Lukas Kasper, a travelling artists from Australia, is behind the wall though the program “Studio In The City” by The City of North Vancouver which gives youth opportunities to show their art on various canvas and landscapes throughout the city. “To bring people together thought a display of vibrant colours,” Kasper told Lower Lonsdale about his inspiration for the wall. He went on to say, “Countless people have been brought together in FunAlley and I’m just appreciative that I had the opportunity to work on the project, it’s a great feeling when I pass by and see all those light up faces.”

#kitswings

(@pellvetica / Instagram)

Murals in Vancouver have become quite popular and this is one that has brought a lot of attention. #kitswings unveiled in 2017 and is a 40-foot by 25-foot wall located ay Burrard Street amp West 4th Avenue. The wings were inspired by bald eagles that live near kits, according to the artists, Sandy and Steve Pell, who told the Georgia Straight. The Wings have almost a shell shape to represent the oceans in Vancouver along with being a way to celebrate the sunsets and sunrises. It took about 200 hours for the couple to complete the project and they did a fantastic job. #kitswings has been all over Instagram as it has the perfect dimensions to fit within a camera frame.