Saturday’s Mural Unveiling Festival hosted by the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society attracted a large crowd for a walking tour to witness the official dedication of the latest additions of art to the collection.
Four pieces were dedicated in the Society’s new Community Mural Series as well as two new murals in the original Historical Series, and a ‘welcome back’ salute to the Steam Train on Bridge over Chemainus River mural that was removed following the demolition of the old Visitor’s Centre and Fire Hall.
The celebration started at the Orca mural on the Chemainus Ace Hardware building, moved to the Kew Gardens Flagpole mural on the Back to Britain Pubs building, then to the Steam Locomotive on the Telus building, the Lest We Forget mural on the post office, the Five-Cent Candy Bar War mural at the back of Cowichan Neighbourhood House and the tour ended with the Chemainus Labyrinth at Waterwheel Park being proclaimed part of the Community Series.
Piper Bruce Oliphant directed participants to each mural and town crier Ben Buss added his informative touch at each site, alongside Festival of Murals Society president Tom Andrews.
Among those attending the ceremony was Karl Schutz, the godfather of the mural project that originated in the early 1980s.
“It’s absolutely super,” he said of the celebrations. “I’m so pleased after all these years, they’re still keeping that up.”
Schutz was especially captivated with Buss’ bugle playing and presentation at the Lest We Forget mural.
“That’s a very nice gesture,” Schutz indicated. “I just get tears in my eyes with this one.”
Entertainment was provided by Masimba Marimba from Bopoma Music and Chemainus Rotary Club members cooked up some hot dogs following the ceremony. Folks having passports stamped were eligible for prizes.
