How do inspired ideas become reality?
Cochrane Mural 'Trust'
Several years ago, an email was winging its way around the world. It was a picture of a mural, but not just any mural. While most murals are done by one artist, this one was a collaboration of many artists in the design of a large mural. As soon as people saw it, they could not help but be taken with the image (it was so touching) and the concept (how fantastic) … it was a mural in Cochrane, Alberta, about a young girl and her horse, created by Mural Mosaic, a committed group of artists working to create collaborative works of art around the world.
Two people on Galiano Island saw the email, saw the mural created by Mural Mosaic .... and knew with absolute conviction that Galiano Island would have this experience. Conny Nordin, owner of the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa, and Kenna Fair, an artist, met at the Blackberry Tea where Conny said that she had an idea that was just too marvelous and wanted her advice. She looked at Conny and said, “Does it have anything to do with a mural?” They both knew right then, with such serendipity, it was definitely going to happen.
But how to get the artists involved? How to get the community involved? How to convince the art designers who create the murals? Where to put the mural (not a minor detail for a mural likely over 20 feet long) on Galiano? For the next few months, it meant convincing a lot of people. How to do that on a small island, in a small community? Put together a small group to make it happen. The only criteria: people had to have enthusiasm for the arts and you had to be a fun person, someone who was positive and made things happen. Kenna and Conny were joined by Sydney Massie, Carol Guin, and Diane Cragg.
Two people on Galiano Island saw the email, saw the mural created by Mural Mosaic .... and knew with absolute conviction that Galiano Island would have this experience. Conny Nordin, owner of the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa, and Kenna Fair, an artist, met at the Blackberry Tea where Conny said that she had an idea that was just too marvelous and wanted her advice. She looked at Conny and said, “Does it have anything to do with a mural?” They both knew right then, with such serendipity, it was definitely going to happen.
But how to get the artists involved? How to get the community involved? How to convince the art designers who create the murals? Where to put the mural (not a minor detail for a mural likely over 20 feet long) on Galiano? For the next few months, it meant convincing a lot of people. How to do that on a small island, in a small community? Put together a small group to make it happen. The only criteria: people had to have enthusiasm for the arts and you had to be a fun person, someone who was positive and made things happen. Kenna and Conny were joined by Sydney Massie, Carol Guin, and Diane Cragg.
The Finished Mural 'Kunamokst' (Chinook Jargon for 'Together') click to go to an active grid of the mural
Galiano Artists Hear the Call
Launch in the Gardens
The famous Mural Mosaic artists, Phil Alain and Lewis Lavoie, came out to Galiano Island, met us, saw Galiano and fell in love with the concept…they agreed to make it happen…But while we wanted to have just Galiano artists, or just Gulf Island artists, their vision took us much bigger. They wanted to include artists from all up and down the West Coast … and we were swept along into this wonderful project that would soon include many, many more artists than we had dreamed would ever be involved.
Of course our vision remained to include as many Galiano artists as wanted to participate. The call went out via our local newspaper, the Active Page, through the Trincomali Arts Council, and via the ever reliable grapevine … it took some convincing (“You are doing WHAT?”), but eventually every single artist on Galiano was invited and almost every single one joined the project, coming to a beautiful opening ‘launch’ in the gardens of the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa in the summer, with the Lieutenant Governor General . We succeeded beyond our expectations.
Of course our vision remained to include as many Galiano artists as wanted to participate. The call went out via our local newspaper, the Active Page, through the Trincomali Arts Council, and via the ever reliable grapevine … it took some convincing (“You are doing WHAT?”), but eventually every single artist on Galiano was invited and almost every single one joined the project, coming to a beautiful opening ‘launch’ in the gardens of the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa in the summer, with the Lieutenant Governor General . We succeeded beyond our expectations.
The Magic and the Mystery
Coming together painting by painting
The Mystery and the Magic of the Mural come from the unknown larger plan created by the Mural Mosaic artist, Lewis Lavoie. His design captures the heart of the theme and, unknown to any of the individual artists, the overall vision. The Mystery? .... no one knew "the Big PIcture". Each artist was given a panel, and asked to follow its colours and general outline, but they could create any piece of work that they wished, as long as it was built on the theme of the wild West Coast.
For months, suspense built, as individual panels were gradually revealed.
For months, suspense built, as individual panels were gradually revealed.
A Mystery Unveiled at the Olympics
Unveiling at the Olyimpics
This fabulous 231 painting mural, "KUNAMOKST - Coastal Inspirations" that Mural Mosaic. created with almost 200 west coast artists, was finally unveiled at the 2010 Winter Olympics. From there, it went "on tour" to be seen by art lovers from West Vancouver to Coquitlam until it "took flight" to Victoria, landing at the Victoria International Airport. It then moved to its Galiano home, currently at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa, where it has showcased the work of the Kunamokst artists for several years, bringing visitors from all over to see this magnificent work of art.
For more information about Mural Mosaic visit www.muralmosaic.com, or contact Phil Alain of Mural Mosaic at (780) 718-7635. Or contact the mural organizers at galianomural@yahoo.com.
For more information about Mural Mosaic visit www.muralmosaic.com, or contact Phil Alain of Mural Mosaic at (780) 718-7635. Or contact the mural organizers at galianomural@yahoo.com.
An Island Home
Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa
Everyone is asking about its permanent home…it will be here on Galiano Island.
The Kunamokst Mural was unveiled on Galiano Island at a special celebration on July 20, 2010 at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa, with live music, the Lieutenant Governor General of British Columbia, the Honourable Steven L. Point, and of course, lots of artists!
Part of the project is a “legacy project”, the Galiano Mural Project Society will be donating part of the net proceeds of sales of limited edition prints of the mural to support the arts. They will be available for sale through this website and at the Galiano Inn.
It is a mural about UNITY through DIVERSITY … a perfect theme for Galiano Island! Even the name “Kunamokst”, from the Chinook jargon, means “Together”. And “Together” the artists of Galiano Island and beyond have created an unbelievably wonderful work of art!
The Kunamokst Mural was unveiled on Galiano Island at a special celebration on July 20, 2010 at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa, with live music, the Lieutenant Governor General of British Columbia, the Honourable Steven L. Point, and of course, lots of artists!
Part of the project is a “legacy project”, the Galiano Mural Project Society will be donating part of the net proceeds of sales of limited edition prints of the mural to support the arts. They will be available for sale through this website and at the Galiano Inn.
It is a mural about UNITY through DIVERSITY … a perfect theme for Galiano Island! Even the name “Kunamokst”, from the Chinook jargon, means “Together”. And “Together” the artists of Galiano Island and beyond have created an unbelievably wonderful work of art!
