A forty foot mural was unveiled Friday morning in Portage la Prairie at the BDO Centre for the Community.
The project was funded by the Canada 150 Grant program, Community Foundation of Portage and District, the government of Canada, and extraordinary leaders across the country. It included design input local students, and painting efforts by three local artists -- Lee Beaton, Suzy Laevens, and Mike Blume.
Recreation Opportunities for Kids Executive Director Lynne Parker organized the project, and also lent a hand in painting.
"This is amazing. I don't think I slept last night. I was so excited to have it unveiled and to see it all up there in one piece," says Parker. "It's amazing. I don't want to pat my own back or the artists' back, but we did a good job."
Artist Lee Beaton says it was a huge team effort comprised of about 500 hours altogether, not counting the granting process by Parker.
Artists Suzy Laevens adds she's proud of the job, and it's her first large-sale project.
None of the artists saw the entire project in one piece until the unveiling.
Mayor Irvine Ferris spoke at the unveiling, and notes it's a beautiful piece of public art, and is in a high profile area. He says you can see more and more of what's in the painting as you stand back further.
Students involved in the planning include Sadie Bates and Shaye Roulette. Bates says she was asked to help and gave some ideas to be incorporated including the hockey player and train. Roulette says her idea included hockey as well, noting it's a big part of the community.
The mural is placed on the north side of the BDO Centre for the Community.
Sun, May 12, 10:00 AM
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