Calgary Muralist Rachel Lyon to Paint 20-Foot Charity Mural at Home and Garden Show
Forget about expensive wallpaper and consider a stunning custom mural instead. Well-known Calgary muralist Rachel Lyon is bringing her artistic talents back to the Calgary Home and Garden Show for the second consecutive year with her innovative program called Paint with a Purpose. This year, Lyon and her team will be live painting an impressive 20-foot mural that will be donated to a local charity after the event concludes.
Charitable Focus: Supporting Mental Health Services
The mural will be donated to Kindred, a non-profit organization that has been serving the community for more than 65 years. Kindred works diligently to ensure that everyone has access to high-quality coordinated mental health services and meaningful human connections, regardless of their income level.
"I've met the team at Kindred at many events and knew they would be a great charity to eventually do a mural for," Lyon explains. "They're warm and welcoming. The team is exactly who you'd picture working at a non-profit for accessible mental health — it's a really nice relationship."
Attendees at the show will have the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from Kindred to learn more about their important work in the community. This charitable component remains a consistent element of Lyon's Paint with a Purpose program, alongside the live painting activation that draws crowds each year.
Mentorship Program for Aspiring Artists
With over 100 murals completed across Canada, Lyon has established herself as a prominent figure in the mural art scene. Drawing from this extensive experience, she prioritizes mentoring new creatives who are looking to enter the field of mural painting.
"During the show, I'm running a free mentorship program for four artists who are looking to get into muralling," Lyon says. "They learn how to do their first mural at this scale while we're painting it."
The five-day program allows participants to ask questions and receive valuable resources to help them get started in mural art. Lyon encourages her mentees to maintain contact even after the program ends, creating lasting professional relationships.
"Once we go through the program, we're stuck together," she says with a laugh. "Not completely, but I always tell them to reach out if they need anything and to not be a stranger."
Watching her mentees gain confidence and take on larger-scale projects independently has been particularly rewarding for Lyon. "They just keep growing, and it's really cool to watch," she adds.
Live Painting Experience and Custom Commissions
Most people only see murals after they're completed, making the live painting experience at the Home and Garden Show particularly special for attendees. Lyon notes that visitors often sit and watch the creative process unfold, asking questions about the techniques and inspiration behind the artwork.
"We typically have seating in the booth, so many people will sit and watch," Lyon says. "People are genuinely curious about the process and ask a lot of questions, which is great."
For those inspired by what they see, Lyon also accepts commissions for custom murals in residential spaces. She has created artwork for various home environments including studios, garages, children's playrooms, and powder rooms.
"I've done murals in home studios, garages, kids' playrooms and powder rooms," she shares. "There are lots of spaces that look great with a feature wall."
For parents considering murals for children's rooms, Lyon offers practical advice: "You want something that will grow with them for a few years at least." This thoughtful approach ensures that the artwork remains relevant and appealing as children mature.
Event Details and Ticket Information
Don't miss the opportunity to witness Rachel Lyon and her team in action at the Calgary Home and Garden Show. The event runs from February 26 to March 1 at the BMO Centre in Stampede Park. Show hours are Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets for the Calgary Home and Garden Show are available online at the official event website. This unique combination of artistic demonstration, charitable giving, and educational opportunity makes Lyon's participation a highlight of this year's home and garden exhibition.
