“I am an artist and I belong here” — How one employee at DIVERSEcity found her artistic voice again through community
Art has always been part of her life. Growing up in India, DIVERSEcity administrative assistant Kuntal Patel was first introduced to art by her father — an artist himself. “At two years old, he gave me my first crayons and brushes,” she shares. “Art has always been important to. Growing up I would take part in drawing competitions and even won state-level awards.”
But like many children of artists, she felt pressure to pursue a more secure career. “For about 11 years I stepped away from art,” she says. “My family wanted me to build financial stability and the art world didn’t feel accessible or sustainable for me at that time.”
It wasn’t until years later — after immigrating to Canada and navigating major life transitions — that she reconnected with art during the pandemic. “What began as a quiet return became a rediscovery,” she reflects. “Now, art isn’t just my personal expression — it’s my purpose.”
From personal practice to public space
That rediscovery came full circle with her first public art project: a mural in Newton led by celebrated artist Jag Nagra. “[Jag] had a vision to reflect the vibrancy of the South Asian community,” she explains. “The colours — marigold orange, bright pink and deep green — reflect the spirit of our celebrations and the beauty of the Newton neighbourhood.”
The mural also includes elements like soccer balls and bikes, tying together the sports park and mural with community pride. “While I wasn’t the lead designer, assisting Jag brought me so much joy,” Kuntal says. “The mural mirrors the communities many of us come from and show how public art can create belonging.”
The project was a milestone, both personally and professionally. “I learned hands-on skills and had the chance to collaborate with incredible artists like Mayuresh Ambekar,” she says. “But more than that, as an immigrant woman of colour, being part of this gave me the confidence to say: ‘I am an artist, and I belong here, too.’”
Art and community, intertwined
Her creative and community-focused paths also converge at DIVERSEcity. “I created eight original pieces for one of our prayer rooms. It opened a door I thought had closed,” says Kuntal, who will soon be starting a custom mural featuring mandala art for the prayer room at DIVERSEcity Surrey Community Campus, with the encouragement of DIVERSEcity’s Facilities and Office Services Senior Manager Anna Aveido.
For an anti-racism textile project she titled Unseen, Unbroken, many of her colleagues added their handprints to a fabric mandala representing unity and inclusion — making it a shared piece of art and advocacy. She won first prize with this piece at the PICS Anti-Racism Art Exhibition earlier this year.
“For me, art and community work go hand-in-hand. Both are about holding space for stories and making people feel seen.”
Advice for newcomer artists
When asked what advice she’d share with new artists and women of colour, she says: “Start where you are. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. I volunteered my art. I told people I wanted to learn. I connected with the community.”
That openness led to a meaningful early breakthrough. “One of my first pieces, a Buddha painting, sold with the support of Alex Sangha, founder of Sher Vancouver. He believed in me when I wasn’t sure I could call myself an artist,” she says.
“To other newcomers: your story matters. Your art matters. Keep creating. Keep learning. Your voice can create change.”
You can see the finished mural at Newton Athletic Park — a vibrant reminder of how art, community and courage can come together to create belonging. Kuntal’s artistic journey is still unfolding, but the colours are already speaking for themselves.
