TEAM
Opal is composed of leaders in visual arts programming on the West Coast. Together, we have collectively acted in critical roles in the execution of hundreds of public and private art projects and installations locally and internationally.
When you work with Opal, you aren’t just engaging an art production house. You are providing your project and installation with a premium service, delivered by a team of experts.
DREW YOUNG,
Creative Director
Drew Young is an internationally exhibited painter and muralist. Based in Vancouver, BC, he has influenced the city’s local art scene and mural culture. Young’s works, both curatorial and physical, have become ubiquitous in Vancouver’s creative identity.
Young’s success as a mural painter has led to him producing works for prestigious events such as POW!WOW! HI, Art Basel FL, and Murale/LNDMRK MTL. His mural client roster includes Grosvenor Americas, Wesgroup, Westbank, Bosa, Holland Partner Group, ABG Projects, and Burrard Group.
Young’s painting accolades have brought him many curatorial and creative director opportunities. He acted as the Visual Arts curator for TedX Vancouver 2014/2015, Squamish Valley Music Festival, and Skookum 2018. Notably, Young is Co-founder and acts as Lead Curator for the Vancouver Mural Festival and is the Founder of Snag — a weekly live-painting exhibition focused on illuminating Vancouver’s alternative arts culture.
Young’s consultation and curation efforts have led to thousands of artworks finding their way to collectors’ walls and hundreds of public art projects coming to fruition across the Lower Mainland.
JAMES KNIGHT,
Technical Director
Working in a variety of capacities within the visual arts, James Knight has shown a high spatial aptitude from an early age. Self-taught, he has transferred a fluency with spraypaint acquired from painting graffiti, into a fine art practice. The transition has lead to unprecedented visual renderings, acquiring private collectors internationally as well as across Canada.
James also lends his sensibilities to installing large scale, public murals. Having lead production on a number throughout Vancouver, including The Berkeley Tower and Patricia Hotel. His technical understanding of painting mediums, ability to problem solve and wide ranging skill sets provide confidence for a fluid adaptability to any demand a project might entail.
JOHN PARK,
Technical Director
John Park aka Brother Jopa is a renowned lettering artist, muralist, and designer. Jopa’s focus on community-building has led to greater visibility for local artists and a saturated artistic culture within Vancouver. As a production artist, he’s had a hand in producing some of the most prominent and acclaimed murals across Canada and internationally.
Brother Jopa has executed an array of projects across Vancouver. Notably, he has worked with Douglas Coupland on the Berkeley Tower and KC Hall on the Bay Tower in English Bay. He has hand-painted multiple large-scale signage projects and his client roster includes Lululemon, Adidas, False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf, and the Vancouver Mural Festival.