Mural washing goes with the territory in Chemainus as part of spring cleaning.

The job of keeping the community鈥檚 massive outdoor art display free of debris has been in the hands of Wayne Gilmore for more than 20 years. He started this year during the last week of April and has selected less busy times to complete the task over a two-week period.

鈥淭he washing is done early morning and late afternoon because some parking makes access difficult,鈥� Gilmore pointed out.

Going back to 2001, he鈥檚 followed a well-defined routine and gained a familiarity with the project.

鈥淥ver the years I have developed a close relationship with each mural, almost a friendship,鈥� Gilmore confided. 鈥淚 enjoy taking care of them. They have added a few new ones now and then that adds a new dimension.鈥�

The Chemainus Festival of Murals Society was fortunate to find the right man for the job long ago and know they can count on it being done right.

鈥淥ver the years, I鈥檝e had many conversations with people who said how much they appreciate the work the society does to maintain them,鈥� Gilmore indicated. 鈥淓ach mural must be appraised as to the type of brush and soap used. Certain murals have been done with better paint products. Chemainus has much to be proud of.鈥�

The hardest one to clean, he feels, is No. 12, the Native Heritage mural.

READ MORE: