Murals and More

2011-03-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

This stylized mural on the Nelson Credit Union, Nelson, B.C., highlights some of the town's attractions and industries, including the mining, the arts (pottery), mountains, and an all-round great natural setting (note the ducks in the blue ornithologist's specs).

Welcome to Christina Lake

2011-03-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

This mural welcomes visitors to the B.C. town, Christina Lake, in the Kootenay region of the province.

Ancient whales

2011-02-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

I don't know the age of this Victoria, B.C. mural, featuring killer whales -- but it's not new!

Comfort food

2011-02-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Mural on the Burgoo Bistro - Main Street (Vancouver) location

Valentine-like

2011-02-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

From coy to coquette with, along the way, a little desperation, these four murals from Vernon B.C. have that Valentine quality.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

smooth and sweet

2011-02-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Mural on the wall of the Washington Avenue Grill - White Rock B.C.

Street Soccer

2011-01-31T05:00:00.000-08:00

"Street Soccer 2009"

Another Commercial Drive mural, the unnamed artist hangs out at tobinism.com.

Scarecrow on the Drive

2011-01-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here we are, back on Commercial Drive, Vancouver. This delightful scarecrow guarding pumpkin and a squash looks like it has come right out of a kid's storybook.

"Torch" eagle

2011-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

Another eagle from the Eagles in the City project (Vancouver area), "Torch" was painted by Marty Collins.

I photographed it when it was on display at Cascades Casino in Langley, B.C. These eagles have since been auctioned, with the money collected going to Easter Seal Services to children with disabilities.

In progress

2011-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

This Victoria, BC mural was in progress when I photographed it last summer. It's an interesting blend of woodland scene and faux facade.

The Overlanders Sculpture - Kamloops B.C.

2011-01-04T21:10:00.000-08:00

The beautiful bronze sculpture, "The Overlanders of 1862," was created in 2003 by Kamloops artists Garry Davies and Terry Norlander. The story of the piece is on the plaque below. I enjoyed photographing it from various angles.

Harrison scenics

2010-12-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

I captured these three small murals when visiting Harrison Hot Springs this summer. They are all painted by Ken Skoda.

Treasure map?

2010-11-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what this last Granville Bridge mural signifies. All the red x's remind me of a treasure map (perhaps signifying all the favourite eateries in the Vancouver 'burbs'?). I love the pink skyscrapers.

I photographed it in three sections and was able to make a fairly decent stitch.

Light-filled prehistoric

2010-11-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Back to the Granville Bridge collection, here is another mural found on the underside of that bridge in Vancouver. I am struck by the purity of the turquoise and how it lights up the dingy setting. (As always, clicking on the photo will enlarge.)

Meaning-loaded tree

2010-11-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

t's high time for an update here at the mural blog. Though this summer wasn't as rich in mural sightings as some have been, I do have some new murals and other art languishing in my photo collections. So here goes with a new start and (hopefully) a weekly update.

I'm going to begin with a wall hanging, photographed in Cedar Park MB Church in Ladner, B.C. a year ago yesterday (November 7, 2009). We were there to attend a concert and I was struck by the hanging and its interpretation (which is barely legible even when you click on it to enlarge - so I have included it below).

(Click on image to enlarge to biggest size and appreciate the details)

The making and meaning behind the "Tree Visual"

Nurturing a vibrant relationship with Christ
Earth/Roots

"After praying for inspiration and blessing, the first element applied to the blank canvas was the rich soil. Pages of an old King James Bible, glued with dirt, and given a wash of brown and copper acrylic paint, established the foundation; literally rooting the tree in God's word. The vision statement is hand stamped on copper and connected throughout the soil and around the roots with silk ribbon. Marbles and recycled beads are sprinkled like dew drops and pearls of wisdom, nestled amongst the moss and roots.

Nurturing meaningful relationships with others
Tree trunk/Branches

The same material was used for the branches, tree and roots — stripped branches from the church's old willow tree, bound together with cropper wire. The trunk is wrapped in fabric and then copper mesh which is made to protect gardens form slugs in addition to being beautiful, is a metaphor of God's protection and loving arms around us.

Nurturing intentional relationships with our world
Leaves/Fruit:

A mixture of satin, organza and tulle made up the vibrant tree foliage, with pieces of recycled hydrangea and coconut shell leaves added to help represent our relationship with others and the world. The background was created using strips of sky-blue tissue paper and glue. Thin bands of copper were woven amongst the top of the tree, to represent each person's unique story and gifts. Lastly, a sprinkling of autumn berries were added, to be changed with the seasons, reminding us to be relevant and in harmony with the world."

— Created by Sandy Dalgleish & Karen Graham, October, 2009.

Under the bridge

2010-04-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a mural we found under the Granville Street Bridge on a recent visit to Granville Island. Looks like Vancouver in its caveman days to me.

More eagles in the city

2010-03-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

These three beautiful eagle statues are from the Vancouver Island Eagles in the City project.

"The Power of One" by Bernadette McCormack

"West Coast Roots" by Lynn Kingham

"Free Fall" by Wendy "Sage River" Rogers

Orca - "Maximilian"

2010-03-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

"Maximilian" is another of the Orcas in the City from the Victoria project. It's situated on the Lower Causeway on the downtown Victoria waterfront (or at least that's where I photographed it last summer). Artists of what looks like a cut-glass mosaic overlay are Sara Gifford, Jan Van Sickle and Michael Hofmann.

Orcas project

2010-03-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Last summer in our travels around Victoria we sighted several Orcas from the Orcas in the City project. Below is one of these fun, statues. Though they all start out looking the same, each ends up with a unique personality.

"VictoriOrca" by Peter Karas & Corinne Garlick

Ethnic food comes alive

2010-03-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Mural on the wall of Kostas Greek Restaurant - Langley, B.C.

Enjoy your pita, tzatziki, spanokapita, souvlaki and calamari against the backdrop of a Greek villa.

Picturesque bird

2010-03-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Over the last few years the Vancouver area has hosted several 'critters' in the city projects. The first one was Orcas In the City. The next was Spirit Bears in the City. The latest project is Eagles In the City. Here is one of those eagles, currently on display at the Fraser Valley Regional Library Langley city branch, where you will find me often, borrowing or returning books.

"Reflective Flight" was painted by Betty Powell and Marlene Harker

The purpose of these projects is to showcase local artists, encourage tourism, and raise money for the Easter Seal Houses, which provide services to children with disabilities around the province

Small and mysterious

2010-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, though it wouldn't be classified a mural, this painting on the side of a truck I passed one day had me puzzled. Is it a kind of "You can do it!" message to the rig, or a testimonial of what the vehicle it has already been through?

Sneak a peek at paradise

2010-02-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

This long skinny mural transforms the wall beside a doorway into an idyllic vista. (Also in White Rock BC).

Two grand dames

2010-02-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

Seen from the beachfront walk at White Rock Beach, B.C.

Nature's icons

2010-01-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

"Natural BC" by Jennifer Lee.

This stylized landscape is found on one of the washroom / utility buildings along the sea walk in White Rock, BC.

Alice on Crescent Beach

2010-01-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

You'll find this sweet birthday greeting on a wall along the beach walk at Crescent Beach. (Obviously the taggers have found it too *sigh.*) Click to enlarge.

Powder keg

2010-01-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

Not sure who is the victor here - the buck or the powder keg. But the colors are nice in this, another Kamloops BC street capture.

Tool fantasy

2010-01-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Kamloops BC is the home of this bright composition.

Eatery scenery

2009-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Water and sky brighten the walls of this Vancouver eatery.

All that jazz

2009-12-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

This fabulous mural is on the wall of a coffee shop just down the street from me. I just love it!

Beach tapas

2009-12-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

This mural gives even those guests seated by the wall a view on the patio of a little tapas restaurant - in White Rock.

Ethnic ambience

2009-12-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

If you do any amount of eating out, you're sure to find restaurants where murals are part of the decor. This beautiful 3-D mural graced the wall of a Chinese restaurant we visited last December.

Christmas mural extravaganza!

2009-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

(The post below was first published here in December 2006. See the update below the original article for working links to Mr. Hetland's murals.)

You have never seen Christmas murals like those David J. Hetland of Concordia College (Moorhead Minnesota)! Each mural was the backdrop of the annual Christmas concert at the college and reflected that year’s theme. Designed by Mr. Hetland, the murals were painted by volunteers under his supervision and were later recycled.

Some themes and related murals:

"O Come All Ye Faithful"

"Shout Glad Tidings"

"Let Heaven and Nature Sing"

(More here. When you click on the link under the thumbnail of each mural, you get a sense of scale – of how large and grand these paintings are when viewed with the choir and orchestra.)

David J. Hetland was a nationally-recognized designer known for his liturgical works in mosaic and stained glass. He died in April this year (2006).

**************

11-20-09 Update

It seems that the David Hetland website is no longer working, thus the many stale links above. There are other places online that have thumbnails of Mr. Hetland's murals. Here is a short video of him, talking about his role in the mural projects along with a mural slide show.

***************

Bonus:

One of David J. Hetland's last projects was the creation of a set of stained glass windows for St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Crookston, Minnesota. See the stunning images here.

Oldies

2009-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Music on the move

2009-11-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

Awaiting metamorphosis?

2009-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

Illusory houses on the hill

2009-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

The race

2009-11-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Colorful

2009-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

Pizza crown?

2009-11-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Not sure what this means - but it is good looking!

Soccer!

2009-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Soccer is a favored sport amongst the Drive's ethnic shopkeepers and their customers.

Folksy and muted

2009-11-11T20:11:00.000-08:00

I love the folksy theme and muted colors of this mural which, judging by the machine at the site, was still in progress when I took these shots.

Underwater

2009-11-09T19:51:00.000-08:00

Swimmers on the Drive

Demure

2009-10-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

... and very pretty

Welcome to Penelope's

2009-10-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

A surreal welcome to Penelope's - a Commercial Drive store that promises the shopper imported treats like alpaca ponchos and sweaters from Peru, and vivid silk/cotton scarves from India, Thailand, and Laos.

Mystic moonscene

2009-10-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

These two panels make up one moon-struck mural. The front says: "Whose idea was this to have the lover visible and the Beloved invisible?" - Rumi

Commercial Drive's Mardi Gras

2009-09-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

The party is definitely Mardi on the mural that runs the length of this Commercial Drive establishment.

WaaZuBee mountain

2009-09-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Not sure about the significance of this snowy mountaintop mural - another one in the Commercial Drive collection.

Style montage

2009-09-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

This Commercial Drive storefront mural is a mixed bag of styles - from the First Nations poles and longhouse on the upper left, to grade-school figures in the foreground. Could be a joint effort?

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Beach-bound

2009-09-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

This mural above the Pasta Bar & Grill on Commercial Drive is easy to miss. The beach-going bovine quartet look like they're all set for a day at Kits.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

The Drive

2009-09-14T06:00:00.001-07:00

This Commercial Drive mural by Ben T. Senetchko shows people enjoying the variety of activities one observes all the time on this funky street.

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Vivid and mouth-watering

2009-09-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Is this gorgeous or what? Love the colors, love the location. It makes me want to get out there and buy potatoes and green onions, for crying out loud!

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Native style

2009-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

This mural is drawn in the style of Native art. Too bad it's tucked away in a back lane and easy to miss.

Oriental symbols

2009-09-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

This dream-inspired mural (on Commercial Drive in Vancouver) is no doubt loaded with significance given the tiger, panda, lion and the palm trees that look a lot like Chinese characters.

Here it is, first stitched together with close-ups below.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Bold and colorful

2009-08-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've taken a bit of a break from the mural blog, but am ready to dive in again. This summer hasn't been as good for mural sightings as some others. But I have managed to gather a few goodies.

In the days ahead, I'll be posting my latest finds - mural photos collected along Commercial Drive in Vancouver. (Sorry, no street coordinates, but they were all sighted along Commercial Drive between East 1st Avenue and Venables.)

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Take a look at this beauty, painted on the side of a produce market. The rich colors and energetic figures make you want to move those piles of flats and boxes to get a better look!

(If anyone has more information about this or any mural you find posted here, please let me know and I'll gladly update with titles, artist names etc.)

New murals added Mondays and Thursdays.

Playground whimsy

2009-07-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Nothing deep here - just a couple of playground murals. The first sunflowery one is in Douglas Park in Langley. We pass it on our walk almost every day.

The beach scene is found in Riverfront Park in Kamloops. Doesn't it make you want to just grab a bucket and a shovel and start digging?

Forest fire memories

2009-07-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

This mural along Highway 97 between Westbank (now West Kelowna) and Kelowna is a sobering reminder of the devastating Okanagan Mountain Fire of 2003. It shows the burning of the Kettle Valley Railway trestles. Twelve wooden and two steel trestles were destroyed in the fire, but they have since been restored by the Myra Canyon Restoration Society.

Logging memories

2009-07-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

A magical dragon scene used to decorate the side of this building on the White Rock Promenade. But in August 2008 it was replaced with this scene from B.C.s logging history. (Gorgeous painting - it should be in a gallery!)

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Orca on display

2009-07-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

This decorative orca lives at the Victoria ferry terminal (Tsawwassan departure). It's part of the "Orcas In the City" project which raised over $400,000 for charity in 2004. It's beautiful from every angle.

Totem Town

2009-07-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

(Click on photo to enlarge)

This Victoria mural depicts a scene from the past, when aboriginal communities ringed the coast and elaborately carved canoes were the main mode of marine transportation. The settlement in this mural reminds me of what you'd have found in the northern interior of BC, say around Hazelton.

Fish Beware!

2009-07-14T19:12:00.001-07:00

(Click on photo to enlarge)

I love the shocked look in the eyes of these fishies in this stylish back alley mural (Victoria BC). I wonder if it has anything to do with the business next door. Worse yet, maybe they watched the videos!

Critters and Sir Hornswoggle

2009-06-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is some of the company you'll have as you explore the Port Alberni waterfront. (In fact, when I first encountered Sir Hornswoggle on the pier, I was sure he was fellow sighseer.)

Alberni - nautical

2009-06-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

This mural, also in Port Alberni, commemorates a sea disaster. On Monday, January 22, 1906, the coastal passenger liner SS Valencia, en route from San Francisco to Seattle, was wrecked on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island (near Bamfield) and 136 people perished.

Gray's Whales mural

2009-06-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

In Port Alberni we saw a mural with another kind of whale. This mural of Gray's Whales was painted by Jeff King.

Parksville killer whales

2009-06-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

But killer whales aren't popular only on northern Vancouver Island. These are swimming around Parksville

Port Hardy killer whales - 4

2009-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

These beauties were swimming amongst the flower hangers at the front of the grocery store

Port Hardy killer whales - 3

2009-06-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here's another chubby black-and-white cutie. (They do look cute, don't they - water pandas!)

Port Hardy killer whales - 2

2009-06-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love the interesting effect of the killer whale mural painted on the truck trailer displayed against the ocean in the background - somewhat surrealistic.

Port Hardy killer whales - 1

2009-06-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

A favorite north Vancouver Island subject of murals is the killer whale. In Port Hardy, we saw them everywhere.

Here is one painted on the school.

(Notice the muralist Razmpoosh - who also painted these Agassiz murals.)

Ink Island

2009-06-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

What a colorful, surreal place. (Notice the red bird on left side of the building.)

The beavers are coming!

2009-05-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Yikes, these furry creatures look big enough to take on the cars! I think they're beavers. It's a shame so much of the painting is hidden by vehicles.

Faux storefronts

2009-05-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

I think these fake store windows with their old-fashioned merchandise are fun. They're also from Courtenay.

Native roots

2009-05-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

This mural, also from Courtenay, reflects the First Nations part in the history of Vancouver Island.

Harbour scene

2009-05-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Can't you just hear the gulls and smell the sea? This beautiful painting is of the historic Courtenay waterfront.

Hidden in plain sight

2009-05-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

After our time at Powell River last September, we took the ferry to Vancouver Island and Courtenay - Comox.

This landscape featuring flowers decorated the tops of the stores down one of the streets in Courtenay. It's a a beautiful painting and a pity it isn't more in-your-face.

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Deep woods find

2009-05-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to wake up this mural blog for a while now. Though I haven't photographed many new murals lately, it is the season when I'm again in the mood for murals and mural hunting. I'll try to post new murals twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays)

We'll start with a few that have been moldering in my collection, just waiting for their moment in the spotlight.

We came upon this primitively painted storage tank on our vacation last year, as we hiked through the forest from the north to south side of Savary Island (nearest city - Powell River).

As I said, I'll be posting murals twice a week now (Mondays and Thursdays) so come back often to see what's new!

Nooks and crannies of Vernon

2009-02-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more murals we discovered on our trip to Vernon last summer. These aren't on any tour brochures, and I don't know the artists, but they are lovely street surprises nevertheless.

Powell River - photo memorabilia

2009-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here are a few Powell River murals that look like they jumped right out of someone's photo album.

"1910 Unidentified Fisherman"

"Sole Survivor 1911 Herman Roesch"

"William (Billy Goat) Smith CA. 1932"

We thought the sign above the butcher shop was cute.

Powell River - where the logging is legendary

2009-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

I did not know Paul Bunyan and his blue ox were connected to this place...

Who will buy?

2009-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Along the same Kelowna walk you'll find these delightful mosaics - replicas of old-fashioned fruit adverts.

Fruity sculptures

2009-01-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

... and high time to ogle more murals and public art.

If you're like me, you're ready for the end of winter (even though it's barely begun). In defiance of all the snow, I'm putting up some photos from July to help me remember - this too shall pass.

You'll find these fruity sculptures in Kelowna, near the downtown lakefront part of town (sorry - I don't know the street coordinates).

Hetland Christmas murals

2008-12-08T08:14:00.001-08:00

Every Christmas Concordia College in Moorhead Minnesota does a program of choral music. For years, they have performed that program against the backdrop of a 20 x 60-foot painted Christmas mural reflecting that year's theme. For at least 13 of those years David Hetland designed stunning murals for those concerts, then supervised the volunteers who painted them.

"Star of Wonder" - the theme in 2000.

A book - On Our Way Rejoicing - gives us a behind-the-scenes look at these concerts, including the mural-making process. Here is a page from the book.

"The Lord is My Shepherd" is the mural from 2004.

Go here to see more Hetland murals.

He also designed and created stained glass and mosaics.

David Hetland died in 2006. (Maybe we'll see more of his amazing artistry beyond the pearly gates.)

****************

10-01-09 Update:

It seems that the Hetland website is no longer working, thus the many stale links above. There are other places online that have thumbnails of Mr. Hetland's murals. Here is a short video of him, talking about his role in the mural projects along with a mural slide show.

Mysterious monster

2008-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Nha-a-tik - Ogopogo - 2003
2704 Highway 6, west-facing wall

Lake Okanagan's famous and mysterious monster has been around a long time. Sightings go back to the 1860s.

This bold, green mural has to be my favorite of all the Vernon murals. Isn't it imaginative and just plain fun?

With this monster mural we've come to the end of the Vernon mural series. I hope you've enjoyed them. Kudos to Vernon for giving us such wonderful street art!

The latest wheels

2008-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

Indian Motorcycle - 2003
2904 - 30th Ave., west-facing wall

This mural features a Megaw Motor Company ad for Indian Motorcycles. Their all-chain drive was an improvement over the usual belt-driving motorbike of the day.

Rustic street

2008-11-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

Dr. Reinhard's House and Office - 2000
2909 - 30th Ave, west-facing wall

This street scene pictures the home of Vernon's third doctor, Dr. Reinhard. It was both his home and the medical clinic.

(It was tricky to photograph though, because of the narrow space between it and the building beside it. It will always be viewed at an angle because of this, never straight on - unless it can be seen the windows of the neighboring building.)

Love that lake

2008-11-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Okanagan Lake - 2003
3101 - 29th Ave., east-facing wall

Beautiful Okanagan Lake is featured in this mural that looks like a page out of someone's scrapbook. The sailboat pictured is the only one with two masts available in pioneer times. (And wouldn't you just like to take a bite out of one of those juicy looking apples?)

Well-read

2008-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Office of the Daily News - 2000
2807 - 32nd St. west-facing wall

The Vernon News was the Okanagan's first newspaper. As well as local and world news, it had a weekly column of news about community life.

Steamy clean

2008-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Vernon's Steam Laundry - 2000
2807 - 32nd St. south-facing wall.

Opened in 1908 by Mr. Cecil Johnston, Vernon's first commercial laundry promised prompt and satisfactory service.

Rich load

2008-11-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Creamery Truck - 2000
3111 Coldstream Ave. - north-facing wall.

This mural celebrates the era of the Vernon Creamery, opened in 1920 by H. W. Knight. This truck traveled the country roads, picking up cream from local dairies.

City of Vernon

2008-11-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

City of Vernon - 2000
2902 - 32nd Street, south-facing wall

Eldon Seymour and Jim Duddle bought plans from a magazine, then worked 10 months to construct this open cockpit monoplane. The 40 HP engine could reach speeds of 90 MPH.

Bicycle mania

2008-11-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Bicycling - 1999
3300 - 30th Ave., east-facing wall

This mural celebrates bicycling. It was said one had to be possessed of an iron will to resist the cycle temptations on display at the many dealers in town.

Trompe L'oiel Museum

2008-11-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Museum Without Walls - 2000
3301 Coldstream Ave., west-facing wall

This Trompe L'oiel mural shows a little boy looking through a broken wall into a museum. The "museum" mural shows women working in an orchard during W.W.II. The painting is so realistic, there are even parking stops painted into it.

Family Life

2008-10-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Fisher Family - 2000
3300 Coldstream Avenue

In this dual mural the Fisher children are fishing the Shuswap River on the left,

while Wally Fisher and son Herb have just done some logging on the right.

A tribute to pioneer women

2008-10-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

This mural is a tribute to pioneer women. Catherine Schubert, the mural's subject, was the first white woman to travel overland from eastern Canada to B.C. Her trip is especially remarkable because she was five months pregnant when she started out with her husband and three youngsters.

Catherine Schubert (2002)
Located at 3505 - 30th Avenue

Steam Boat of the Okanagan

2008-10-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Captain Shorts, High Admiral of the Okanagan Ocean, began a rowboat service with a boat named after his mother, Ruth Short.

Captain Shorts and the Crew of the S. S. Penticton - 1999

Captain Shorts eventually developed a steam-powered vessel.

The crew of Captain Shorts' steam boat - the S. S. Penticton.

Life on the Ranch

2008-10-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Located at 3213 30th Avenue, this mural celebrates the young men that came to the valley in the 1860s to 1890s to live the cowboy way of life on the cattle ranches. The best riders and ropers were the Okanagan First Nation Cowboys.

Cowboys - 2002

Celebrating Aboriginal Peoples

2008-10-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

This mural, "Okanagan Indian Band" is at 3219 31st Avenue - west-facing wall

It depicts the culture of the Okanagan First Nation's people. Notice the eagle and the wolf which are very much a part of lake legends. Some of the people in the mural are chief Pierre Louis and his wife Catherine, as well as Tommy Gregoire, an accomplished rodeo rider.

Okanagan Indian Band - 2001

Kalamalka Lake

2008-10-03T19:58:00.001-07:00

I've been holidaying, thus the almost month-long absence. And I have been collecting more murals!

But before we get to those, let's finish Vernon. Today, the mural at 3300 34th Avenue North. This mural celebrates Vernon's beautiful Kalmalka Lake. It was based on a hand-tinted photograph by George Meers and captures the lake's greenish-blue hue. Included are a detail of the brush work and the head artist's signature.

Kalamalka Lake (2002)

Remember war - part 2

2008-09-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

The south-facing wall at 3203 - 32nd Street is a continuation of the grand 300-foot mural that shows Vernon's participation in both WWI and WWII.

World Wars - South Wall (2001)

by Michelle Loughery & the company of artists

Remembering war - part 1

2008-09-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

The west and south-facing walls at 3203 - 32nd Street display a truly spectacular 300-foot mural. The images show Vernon's participation in both WWI and WWII and depict the various armed forces. This is the west-facing wall

World Wars - West Wall (2001)

by Michelle Loughery & the company of artists