Cloverdale, that oasis of small town urbanity in Surrey’s farming community middle, is full of murals.

The Book Barn technically has paintings on glass, not murals; still they are a hoot in the canon of outsider art. Yet the artists who created them, in this case, a group of high school students, aspire to join the ranks of the mainstream art world.

Just like the poor Spirit Bears, wherein some real artists get mixed, these students too really tried hard.

But, unlike the Spirit Bears, their efforts are more meaningful. Without official recognition, their efforts are drawing attention to this small secondhand bookstore tucked in the alley behind the more photogenic of Cloverdale’s businesses.

A one-businesswoman-show, this bookstore has treasures for the discerning book collector with enough patience to rummage through all the Goosebumps books.

Still, the delightful kitsch on the windows makes this one of the top artistic sites in Cloverdale. Unpretentious and suitable to its environs, with a certain third world panache, this is art for the people.

Only the Romance window faded:

The best way to find the Book Barn is to drive to Cloverdale, park your car and wander around. This is what the building looks like: