Grand murals depict early life of community
Moose Jaw is the mural capital of North America, featuring 45 giant outdoor murals. This classic collection is painted on the exterior walls of downtown buildings and depict the challenges and excitement of the city’s early years.
The first of Moose Jaw’s murals was painted in grant scale in 1990. Scenes depicting the community’s early history can be found on the sides and fronts of buildings throughout the downtown core. Painting, glassworks and a bas-relief all provide insight into the development of the community.
Tributes abound to early pioneers, historic occasions and buildings, activities, and achievements. Selfguided 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 concept. The first mural painted here was “Remember Old 80,” which was promptly followed by “Opening Day Parade.” Several local artists have contributed murals over the years, such as Grant McLaughlin, the late Gus Froese, and Dale Cline. Cline was instrumental in establishing murals in Moose Jaw, while he also served as
president of the murals committee. Froese painted several murals, such as “National Lights and 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 Carnival,” 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 deterioration. This list includes two beloved murals “Remember Old 80” (demolished in 2009) and “River Street Red” (destroyed by fire in 2014). Not all is lost, though, as you can find a display honouring the city’s lost murals on the McKarr’s Furniture building at 88 Second Avenue Northwest. Meanwhile, the original version of “Town’s Afire” — initially located where “Fire Watch” is now — was recreated by Gus Froese on the third floor of the Hammond Building in 2015. The newest murals have been painted onto panels so they can be saved if the building is scheduled for demolition. For more information about the murals, contact city hall at 306-694-4426.
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