By Sarah Wallace

P.A. creates art to help Canada celebrate its big birthday

Jan 12, 2017 | 11:01 AM

In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, communities across the country are creating beautiful works of art.

The Canada 150 Mosaic Mural project will create eight foot, by eight foot pieces in 150 towns and cities. Judy MacLeod Campbell, Arts and Culture Coordinator with the city of Prince Albert, said P.A. is one of the chosen few.

“[The idea] came to Prince Albert in late spring [2016], the concept was floated around and city council did approve to go ahead with the project,” she said.

MacLeod Campbell said a railroad theme ties all the murals across the country together. But perhaps more poignant, the mural requires collaboration from the whole community.

“There’s a unique iconic image for every community in the center of the mural. The rest of the mural is all of the individual tiles that the public can take part in these workshops and make their own,” MacLeod Campbell continued.

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Between 400 and 450 tiles will need to be painted. The public will be invited to attend one of two workshops. The workshops will be open to everyone and anyone no matter their age or artistic ability.

“We’re not going to turn people away … the public workshops are open to all community members. We’re really trying to get a good representation that’s representative of our demographics,” she said.

MacLeod Campbell said there is a working group who is organizing the painting and gathered input on what the mural should look like when it’s completed. She is keeping the concept under wraps for the time being, and also the location as it needs to be approved by city council.  

“Everyone’s unique tile is to represent Prince Albert in their own way,” she continued

Roughly 100 tiles were ordered ahead of time. Lana Wilson with the Mann Art Gallery will conduct targeted workshops with groups who may not be able to attend the workshops.

Wilson said she’s in the process of setting up a workshop at Caleb Village.

She’s hoping to do workshops with the Indian and Metis Friendship Center, a number of youth groups around the region and seniors homes.

“I’ve [also] been working with some groups that are newcomers to Canada, some of the refugee population, some of the new immigrants that need some extra support. I’ll be arranging a painting activity with those folks and some of their children in the next couple of weeks,” Wilson said.

The tile workshops will be held on Feb. 20 at the Mann Art Gallery and on Feb. 21 at the E.A. Rawlinson Center.

To register visit the city’s website or Canada 150 Mural Mosaic workshops on Facebook. 

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahthesquid