Learning to Share Mural a Dramatic Addition to Vegreville’s Downtown Landscape

Learning to Share Mural a Dramatic Addition to Vegreville’s Downtown Landscape

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

In life there are many firsts, and for Brie Adkins, painting a gigantic mural was one of them.

Adkins, who was selected to paint the mural, spent the better part of a week creating the masterpiece on the concrete canvas which measures 55 feet long and 17 feet wide.

“It’s a great opportunity because I haven’t done a mural and it’s a really nice sentiment behind it.”

Adkins said opportunities for projects like this are few and far between, and she was thrilled when her initial proposal was accepted by the tourism board.

Adkins, who resides and owns her own art gallery in Entwistle, completed the first part of the mural last year and was happy to return to Vegreville.

The mural depicts a young woman receiving a flower from a boy and lovingly remembering the past. “I think it adds a pop of colour and femininity,” stated Adkins. Poppies, daisies and blue flowers were selected to use in the mural, and they stand out from the vibrant green grass. They are set amidst the rural Alberta landscape with fields of grain in the background. The landscape is situated underneath the brilliant blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Adkins also incorporated a bread basket, nook, and a sheaf of wheat into the overall design.

Town officials and Chamber President Jamieson Brown gathered for a photo with mural artist Brie Adkins on June 18. Pictured from left to right are: Vegreville Town Councillor Taneen Rudyk, Councillor Marielle Brodziak, Artist Brie Adkins, Recreation, Culture & Tourism Coordinator Tourism Director Anya Langkow, Vegreville Chamber of Commerce President Jamieson Brown, and Councillor Ann Waters. (Town of Vegreville/Submitted Photo)

“It was my first time laying out a composition,” said Adkins, who melded several images together before drawing and painting the design on paper. All of those elements worked well together and complimented the vibrant contrasting colours, creating a dramatic and dynamic representation of Ukrainian culture.

Phil Rowe, Community Services Director for the Town of Vegreville, stated: “The mural adds a welcome pop of colour to our downtown core. No longer a blank wall, there is a story being told, one that is bright, cheery, and thought-provoking.

I feel that the mural represents an important part of Vegreville’s heritage. In our busy lives, we sometimes take for granted what we have, and perhaps we all need to learn to share a little more.

Most importantly, as depicted in the mural, we all should take some time to stop and smell the roses and enjoy the little things.

Brie was chosen for the project because she completed the Learning to Share Mural through the Town’s Paint the Town Initiative in 2019. Her latest work paints the next chapter in the story she started to tell last summer. Paint the Town had the collective theme of Ukrainian imagery, and sets a cohesive tone, appealing to both residents and visitors. Artists were encouraged to explore Ukrainian history, culture, signature events and agriculture as inspiration for their designs.”

Rowe added, “Public feedback has been very positive. We’ve received quite a bit of comments from residents grateful for the new art addition in our Town. The mural has even caught the attention of past residents who say they’re ecstatic to see the new addition to the Town’s landscape.”

The mural is located at 49 Street and 45 Avenue. Currently, there are nine official murals in the Town of Vegreville.