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New mural has a name: In Tune With Nature

Contest submission by Riot Brewing’s Tomlin selected to grace unique piece
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Unique mural opened up. (Photo submitted)

And the winner is …. Aly Tomlin.

Yes, Tomlin of Riot Brewing Co. fame had her submission picked by the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society in the ‘Name The Mural Contest’.

The competition promoted on social media and in the Chemainus Valley Courier drew 71 responses with 149 name suggestions, according to Society member Peter Collum.

“The society’s executive committee narrowed the field down to 10 names and the full board chose what they thought best represented the new mural,” he added.

Tomlin’s submission In Tune With Nature was selected to grace the newest piece of the Society’s outdoor art collection. Having never won anything before, Tomlin said she was delighted and somewhat surprised when told her entry had won by Society President Tom Andrews.

Tomlin receives a $100 gift certificate from 49th Parallel Grocery and a mural book.

Number 6 in the Community Series, In Tune With Nature, is a departure from what people usually think of as a mural, which is art painted directly on a wall or surface. It is located at 979o Willow St. in front of the Chemainus Public Market.

“The mural society’s board thought Aly’s entry best encapsulated the mural’s concept created by artist Kris Friessen,” Collum indicated. “The themes, painted on the inner and outer surfaces of a purpose-built enclosure built by Dean Irwin, are nature and music. The exterior features a lush forest scene with some interested forest denizens keeping watch, with the music of the forest wending its way through the surroundings.

“The musical score is from What a Wonderful World popularized by Louis Armstrong. When the box is opened and the sides are outspread, viewers will see an upright grand piano, painted and blended into an underwater ocean scene. Earth’s oceans also contain their own music which is shown moving through the water. The water’s musical score mimics that of a whale’s call. When the mural is officially open, Chemainiacs and visitors will be welcome to play their favourite tunes.”

There won’t be any singing for the time being, however, due to COVID-19 safety measures.

No date has been set for the official opening of In Tune With Nature due to the continuing issues of the current pandemic. However, the board is hoping for late June or early July.

The piano was donated by Peggy Grigor of Pottery by Peggy and Brad Grigor of Turning Point Arts. The concept was Peggy Grigor’s idea.

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The mural in its closed-up form. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Aly Tomlin of Riot Brewing Co. (Photo submitted)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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