source: Farm and Food Report
Who would have thought a simple mural could generate this much pride?
Local Economic Development Officer Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel could hardly contain her excitement.
"This mural is truly representative of the community of Mossbank. It will be a great way to welcome visitors home for the Homecoming Celebrations and it will be a lasting reminder for those of us living here: Mossbank is here to stay."
What started out as a Main Street beautification project turned into an exploration of the symbols, sights and experiences Mossbank wishes to convey to outside world about itself.
"The old Empress Hotel on Main Street had been repainted recently, as part of an effort to showcase our local heritage. There are a few embossed tin-covered buildings left in town, including the Ambroz Blacksmith Shop, a Provincial Heritage Property. The Empress Hotel had a south-facing wall that was very visible to folks arriving into town as they drove down Main Street. We figured it would make an ideal location for a mural."
Jolly-Nagel hoped the mural would be a project everyone in town could develop a feeling of ownership about. There was only one way to do that.
"We needed to ask people what they wanted to see in this mural. An announcement went out in our local newsletter, and suggestions started coming in. We applied for funds under the Saskatchewan Centennial Commemorative Program as well as donations from Conexus Credit Union, the Town of Mossbank and the RM of 102. In the meantime, I contacted an artist whose work I had seen and liked in Gull Lake. His name is Joel Legault."
When Joel Legault came to scout the project, the two went around town and the countryside to snap digital photographs of some of the scenes and buildings Mossbank people felt should be highlighted in the mural. Old Wives Lake, local sunsets, farm equipment and the Snowbirds were among the favourites-yes, the best acrobatic flight team in the world.
"Most outsiders don't realize that the Snowbirds train around Mossbank. We get an air show out in our backyard everyday they train. In all honestly, we sometimes feel that they are our Snowbirds. They are just so much part of our lives here."
So much so that Major Stuart McIntosh, Deputy Commanding Officer of the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron and Major Lloyd MacKenzie, 15 Wing Operations Officer from Moose Jaw were enlisted as guests of honour for the mural's unveiling.
Joel Legault got to work on the mural, in consultation with Jolly-Nagel and others in the community who provided guidance on the subject matter. The final product is as close as you will ever get to a truly community-inspired work of love and passion-a wall-size portrait of how Mossbank folks see their journey on the Great Plains, through history, hardships and successes.
Now the town plans to build a visitor center on an empty lot, just across the street from the mural.
Mossbank, it seems, has big dreams for the future, and people to bring them to fruition.
Rural Economic Development Officer
Mossbank
(306) 354-2290
Who would have thought a simple mural could generate this much pride?
Local Economic Development Officer Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel could hardly contain her excitement.
"This mural is truly representative of the community of Mossbank. It will be a great way to welcome visitors home for the Homecoming Celebrations and it will be a lasting reminder for those of us living here: Mossbank is here to stay."
What started out as a Main Street beautification project turned into an exploration of the symbols, sights and experiences Mossbank wishes to convey to outside world about itself.
"The old Empress Hotel on Main Street had been repainted recently, as part of an effort to showcase our local heritage. There are a few embossed tin-covered buildings left in town, including the Ambroz Blacksmith Shop, a Provincial Heritage Property. The Empress Hotel had a south-facing wall that was very visible to folks arriving into town as they drove down Main Street. We figured it would make an ideal location for a mural."
Jolly-Nagel hoped the mural would be a project everyone in town could develop a feeling of ownership about. There was only one way to do that.
"We needed to ask people what they wanted to see in this mural. An announcement went out in our local newsletter, and suggestions started coming in. We applied for funds under the Saskatchewan Centennial Commemorative Program as well as donations from Conexus Credit Union, the Town of Mossbank and the RM of 102. In the meantime, I contacted an artist whose work I had seen and liked in Gull Lake. His name is Joel Legault."
When Joel Legault came to scout the project, the two went around town and the countryside to snap digital photographs of some of the scenes and buildings Mossbank people felt should be highlighted in the mural. Old Wives Lake, local sunsets, farm equipment and the Snowbirds were among the favourites-yes, the best acrobatic flight team in the world.
"Most outsiders don't realize that the Snowbirds train around Mossbank. We get an air show out in our backyard everyday they train. In all honestly, we sometimes feel that they are our Snowbirds. They are just so much part of our lives here."
So much so that Major Stuart McIntosh, Deputy Commanding Officer of the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron and Major Lloyd MacKenzie, 15 Wing Operations Officer from Moose Jaw were enlisted as guests of honour for the mural's unveiling.
Joel Legault got to work on the mural, in consultation with Jolly-Nagel and others in the community who provided guidance on the subject matter. The final product is as close as you will ever get to a truly community-inspired work of love and passion-a wall-size portrait of how Mossbank folks see their journey on the Great Plains, through history, hardships and successes.
Now the town plans to build a visitor center on an empty lot, just across the street from the mural.
Mossbank, it seems, has big dreams for the future, and people to bring them to fruition.
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Cherilyn Jolly-NagelRural Economic Development Officer
Mossbank
(306) 354-2290
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