Kids turn storefront glass into art

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Western Financial Group may have to insure its storefront windows next to Sobeys.

They are now a highly-prized piece of public art by admirers thanks to the work of some creative kids from the Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) art academy.

They transformed the windows into a happy, on-brand scene for the business in a matter of minutes last week under the direction of local artist Brandi Hofer.

“Western Financial wanted something happy, spring-like, something that brought people joy when they walk into their establishment,” said Hofer, who has painted a number of downtown murals for businesses.

The mural captures that with colourful flowers and a truck, in keeping with Western Financial’s profile as an insurance broker.

It fits what branch manager, Tasha Crickard, originally had in mind to paint something that could last for the spring and summer.

“So, flowers, and it would entail stuff that we sell here, so truck and trailer insurance and kind of go with a theme like that,” she explained.

The link to the art academy was provided by customer service rep, Gail Kappel, whose son Derek teaches the academy at College Park School with Hofer, the artist in residence.

Her grandson Jake is also learning about public art at the academy.

“Western Financial has been trying to get out in the community and do stuff with young people,” explained Kappel as students painted.

“We just thought it would be great to have them be able to display their artwork. Then their parents, grandparents and friends could come and see it.

“Of course, everyone knows Brandi and she does amazing work, so we just thought this would be an awesome opportunity.”

Hofer says it’s a part of the art academy initiative to work in the community to show the students what public art is, what it means, and how it makes a difference.

“When we think about public art, it can really turn any space into a public destination. For example, the mural we did downtown in 2018 gets 20,000 visitors a year.

“It transforms any space into a happy space that people want to be a part of.”

Hofer says the cool part of the window mural is knowing students helped to design it digitally and are learning all the steps how they can take on these public things themselves and do them in the future.

“They can help make our community a better place through what they are learning at the academy,” she said.

Freya, a 13-yearold, Grade 8 student at E.S. Laird, was painting flowers at Western Financial and took a moment to rave about the academy.