Grand Murals Depict Early Life of Community’s History

Moose Jaw is the mural capital of North America, featuring 45 giant outdoor murals. This classic col lection of murals is painted on the exterior walls of downtown buildings and depicts the challenge and excitement of the city’s early years. The first of Moose Jaw’s murals was painted in grand scale in 1990. Scenes depicting the commu nity’s early history can be found on the sides and fronts of building throughout the downtown core. Painting, glass works and a bas-relief all provide insight into the development of Moose Jaw. Tributes abound to early pioneers, historic occasions and buildings, activities and achievements. Self-guided walking tours are suggested. A group of Moose Javians wanted to replicate the murals of Chemainus, B.C., so they asked the creator of the idea there, Karl Schutz, to teach them how to develop a similar idea. The first mural was “Remember Old 80,” which was promptly fol lowed by “Opening Day Parade.” Several Moose Jaw artists have contributed murals, such as Grant McLaughlin, the late Gus Froese and Dale Cline. Cline was instrumental in establishing murals in the city. He also served as the president of the murals committee. Froese painted several murals, including “Opening Day Parade,” “National Light & Power Co.,” “March to the Pipes Forever,” “ Ross Wells Tribute to Baseball,” and others. McLaughlin painted “Cruising Main Street,” “Postcards from Moose Jaw,” “Hopes and Dreams,” “Living With the Land,” “Winter Carni val,” the Centennial Mural on the Crescent Park Amphitheatre, “Tribute to Gary Hyland,” and others. Sadly, Moose Jaw has lost several murals due to fire, demolition, or simply deterioration. This list includes two beloved murals, “Remember Old 80” (demolished in 2009) and “River Street Red” (de

“Opening Day Parade” by Gus Froese, located at 82 Manitoba Street West.

“Air Force Blue” by Dale Cline, located at 112 First Av enue Northeast. stroyed by fire in 2014). Not all is lost, however, as you can find a display honouring the city’s lost murals on the side of McKarr’s Furniture at 88 Second Avenue Northwest. Meanwhile, the original version of “Town’s Afire” — originally located on First Avenue Northwest where the similarly-themed “Fire Watch” is now located— was recreated by Gus Froese on the third floor of the Hammond Building in 2015. The newest murals have been painted onto panels so that they can be saved if a building is scheduled for demolition. Interested in Moose Jaw’s murals? Call Norma Westgard at (306) 693-3062 or contact the city clerk’s office at (306) 694-4426 for more informa tion.

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