Janessa Wilson and Jeremiah Vergara are expanding their artistic abilities while painting a forested expanse for Rise Up Indigenous Wellness.

The two Grade 11 students are among a group of Indigenous youth participating in a mural painting project organized by Rise Up91裸聊视频檚 Launa Payne and Sherrelle Anderson. Payne said the mural, being painted on a wall inside the non-profit organization91裸聊视频檚 Salmon Arm office at 875 Lakeshore Dr. W, is being done in partnership with the Salmon Arm Art Gallery and the Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Society.

91裸聊视频淭his mural will be completed by local artist Sarah Wiens and a rotating group of Indigenous youth,91裸聊视频� said Payne. 91裸聊视频淭he youth will learn important art skills at the guidance of a professional artist.

91裸聊视频淭he space is used for youth groups and programs, so the intention is that the visual of an old growth forest will be calming and therapeutic. At Rise Up, we believe that land is medicine and all of our programs reflect this belief.91裸聊视频�

Though Janessa and Jeremiah are already talented artists, neither have embarked on a project of such scale.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e never done a painting this big,91裸聊视频� said Jeremiah, who was painting with Janessa and Wiens on Friday, Nov. 3. 91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 really do too much artwork with nature 91裸聊视频� normally do other kind of scenery. It will be nice doing something new.91裸聊视频�

Wiens said when she saw Jeremiah91裸聊视频檚 sketchbooks, she knew he91裸聊视频檇 be right for the job.

91裸聊视频淚 didn91裸聊视频檛 know what these guys would bring, I just knew whoever comes, I91裸聊视频檒l figure out how to show them stuff and have them be a part of it,91裸聊视频� said Wiens. 91裸聊视频淲hen I saw Jeremiah91裸聊视频檚 sketchbook two weeks ago I was like, OK, I have good people. These guys are going to be great.91裸聊视频�

Jeremiah noted he91裸聊视频檚 picked up some of his skill with a paintbrush from his mother.

91裸聊视频淢y mom has always loved painting 91裸聊视频� I91裸聊视频檝e always liked watching her paint,91裸聊视频� said Jeremiah. 91裸聊视频淪he does a lot of scenery. She sells quite a bit of her artwork as well. She showed me quite a few things with painting.91裸聊视频�

Janessa also shares a love for art and does a lot already with Payne and Rise Up.

91裸聊视频淢y mom works with her and even before that I did a lot of stuff with her,91裸聊视频� said Janessa, noting the mural is something different.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a lot bigger 91裸聊视频� usually it91裸聊视频檚 just a page, but this is a whole wall,91裸聊视频� said Janessa.

Another of Janessa91裸聊视频檚 artistic creations is expected to be revealed to Salmon Arm early next year: a new Salmon Arm Silverbacks logo.

Wiens expects the project will take about six days to complete.

Rise Up is an Indigenous run and directed organization created to address gaps in services for Indigenous children, youth and families. It provides holistic programs designed to empower Indigenous people on their path to wellness. For more information, visit riseupindigenouswellness.ca.