Kelowna business turns crash damage into colourful community artwork

What began as a vehicle crash on June 13th has blossomed into a colorful community project in Kelowna. Sweet Repeats Consignment Co. owner Deb Liebholtz found her storefront boarded up after a car collided with it, leaving a visible eyesore. Instead of dwelling on the damage, Liebholtz saw an opportunity to create something positive.

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As I sat in my car watching the crews put up the plywood walls, I thought to myself, ‘How do I make this into a positive community story?'

She enlisted local artist Melissa Dinwoodie, asking her to transform the plywood covering into something joyful. Dinwoodie responded with a vibrant floral mural, completing the project in an impressive seven hours. The artwork now brightens the street, drawing positive attention from passersby.

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She just said, OK, yeah, I trust you, I want it to be joyful and happy.

"As I sat in my car watching the crews put up the plywood walls, I thought to myself, ‘How do I make this into a positive community story?'" Liebholtz said. Dinwoodie added, "She just said, OK, yeah, I trust you, I want it to be joyful and happy."

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We are getting a lot of people coming by, commenting on the brightness.

The mural has quickly become a local talking point, with many commenting on its brightness. Liebholtz expressed her delight, stating, "It’s a way to go for making lemonade out of lemons." She also confirmed that the artwork will remain a permanent fixture, even after the storefront is repaired.

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It’s a way to go for making lemonade out of lemons.