Late into 2023 I heard of a grant from SANG, the Community Enhancement Competition, open to regular people and NFP to apply to. I remember thinking what an actual boon it is to have a grant open to individuals who seek to make their community better. As an artist in a rural community there are few grants and opportunities like this to apply to and I knew that I had to try.

I approached our community hall with a grand vision, to paint the walls with flora and fauna, to create opportunities for young people to engage with art and muralism, to beautify our community and make it a more vibrant space to live in.

The stipulation for the grant was it goes to public vote to gauge how the community feels about the projects proposed. I knew my community, like it has many times before, would show up for me on this. They did, in a sweeping vote that couldn’t go unnoticed. I don’t know why. I don’t know if it is because of the murals I put around town already, if it’s my passion that they support, if it’s wanting more color on grey walls, opportunity for young people to create or if it is because people like seeing someone make a positive change. I don’t know the reason, but I am always grateful my community shows up for me in this way.

We won the grant and the plan started to unfold. Young artists applied to be mentored and paint a mural. I spent 4 weekends with the 4 girls selected. We went over designing, safety, spray paints and applications. I built the design to frame their work, giving them freedom to create what they wanted with community in mind.

Then I approached the mural with a new lens. To fit my work inside of theirs, but to tell a bigger story of this town. I thought of all the animals I see as I walk through my town. This Spring I felt a pang of sadness as dozens of trees had been chopped down, knowing I would almost always see blue jays in those trees. I pulled my ideas from them; the blue jays, sparrows, rabbits, deer and even cranes flying over head; the animals,  our quiet community members that make this place incredibly special.

We worked together through rain, wind and heat to bring this to life. The girls showed determination and creativity that most people wish for, and I hope they feel proud. Our community was abuzz. The folks at the hall arranged a ceremony on Canada Day, our final unveiling of the mural and we were met with a beautiful crowd of people to celebrate this endeavour. 

I hope our community enjoys this mural for many years to come and that the mentees keep creating throughout their lives. Also, that we all aim to find ways to build the strength of our communities and leave them better than we found them doing what we can at our own capacities.