Michelle Loughery is a world renowned muralist who among other distinctions, has been commissioned by the city of New York to paint a commemorative mural for 9/11 which is now part of a collection in the prestigious Smithsonian Museum, has been commissioned to paint many paintings for private collections and has been successfully completing youth collaborated mural projects for over 20 years in cities throughout North America.

In the autumn of 2004 master muralist Michelle Loughery, the Merritt Walk of Stars Society and the City of Merritt established a partnership with the mandate to create up to 60 larger than life murals of the Country Music legends that have performed on the stage of the annual Merritt Mountain Music Festival. Michelle’s awe-inspiring talent and her genuine passion for making a difference in the lives of youth at risk complimented the Walk of Stars vision of the community working together to create a stunning blend of music history and celebrity recognition in the Country Music Capital of Canada!

On February 1, 2005 the Government of Canada officially sanctioned the Merritt Walk of Stars Youth Mural Project with a federal grant that would help to facilitate the hiring of 8 Youth at Risk, a Project Coordinator, a Site Manager, and Michelle to complete 6 Country Artist Murals. The community of Merritt, including the City of Merritt, various local businesses and citizens have committed to raising the additional funding required to complete the project. Luc Jansses, a talented film maker from Vernon, BC was also involved, in the project from 2005 – 2007 filming a documentary entitled, ‘Shadows on the Wall’; a film about the project, which is used to share our story with other youth and their communities.

Since 2004 Michelle has successfully worked with over 60 youth at risk in the community of Merritt; the majority of whom are First Nations. All of the youth who participate in the project, range in age between 15 and 29. Participants not only paint with Michelle , but also complete a wide array of job and life skills training. The Government of Canada continues  to support this project with funding from Service Canada and National Crime Prevention. Michelle is continually amazed at how incredibly fortunate she is to work with these youth, many of whom have overcome innumerable obstacles to reach their dreams and goals.