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Link: Mural in progress

Update: This mural Number 41 in the series under contract via The Chemainus Senior Center
is way behind schedule however we are working on making this mural happen during 2012.

NEW HISTORIC MURAL IN CHEMAINUS

A joint venture between the “Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre Society” and “The Chemainus Festival of Murals Society” was announced
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at the Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow Street.

For Immediate Release
19 August 2009

NEW HISTORIC # 41 MURAL TO BE PAINTED IN
FAMED VANCOUVER ISLAND TOWN

Chemainus, B.C. - A joint venture to create a new historic mural was announced Wednesday, August 19, 2009 between the Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre Society and the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society. This newest mural – officially designated Mural #41 – is the newest addition to the over 40 murals, carvings and sculptures distinguishing the picturesque and vibrant town of Chemainus.

Frank Gibbins, President of the Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre Society welcomed a large gathering of public and press people to the announcement of the creation of latest mural in the Heritage Series of murals. The 60’x 18’ mural will be painted on the northern exterior wall of the centre. Lou Roelofsen, president of the Festival of Murals Society said, “We are having a very exciting year. Our new Emily Carr Trompe l’oeil mural on the Chemainus Theatre wall is now paid in full and pieces of the puzzle are in place for the previously announced Emily Carr Embassy building. At a typical board meeting we discuss fundraising projects, mural restoration, graffiti challenges, and the like. This year we received a wonderful surprise when the Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre approached us with a mural idea.”

“It is very exciting to see this new mural project completed this summer and in these difficult economic times,” said Dr Karl Schutz, the originator of the mural project. “It was a joy assisting with this project on behalf of the Festival of Murals and the project sponsor”. Karl mentioned this was only the second mural for which an artist had fully donated the time to paint the mural.

Murray Schafer, Vice President of the seniors centre spoke about the joy of working with the society and how delighted he was with the artist’s choice and her design.

Artist, Lurene Haines, was introduced by Shannon Bellamy, Secretary of the Festival of Murals Society. Lurene spoke about her research and creative design concept - an outdoor gathering with Mount Brenton in the background. It was noted that the mural would include women, men, children and First Nations people in costume appropriate for the late 1800’s.

Everyone involved agreed on the smooth approval process - from request to choice of artist - as well as the final design concept and authorization.
 
Painting of the mural is scheduled to begin at the end of August 2009 and should be completed prior to 2011.

For more information on the Festival of Murals and Mural #41, please contact:
Murray Schafer, Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre Coordinator - 250-246-9968
Lou Roelofsen, President, Chemainus Festival of Murals Society - 250-246-4181
Dr. Karl Schutz, Founder, Chemainus Festival of Murals Society - 250-246-6602
 

Follow the progress on mural 41

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E4-sVJAC90&feature=autoshare_twitter

On twitter: http://twitter.com/mural41

Blog: http://mural41.wordpress.com/
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Latest release
 New Historic Mural Underway in Famed Vancouver Island Town

Painting has begun on a joint venture to create a new historic mural between the Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre Society and the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

Officially designated Mural #41, this newest addition to the over 40 murals, carvings and sculptures distinguishing the picturesque and vibrant town of Chemainus is well underway with the first of 5 segments already started.

The 5-segment mural includes a 60 foot by 18 foot north wall as the main scene - set in the late 1800’s - of an outdoor Chemainus town gathering, with Mount Brenton in the background. The remaining 4 segments will decorate the south wall and three places on the eastern wall of the Seniors Drop-In Centre on Willow Street in Chemainus. Each will feature scenes of townspeople heading toward the event depicted on the northern wall.

“It is very exciting to see this new mural project completed this summer and in these difficult economic times,” said Dr Karl Schutz, the originator of the mural project. “It was a joy assisting with this project on behalf of the Festival of Murals and the project sponsor”. Karl mentioned this was only the second mural for which an artist had fully donated the time to paint the mural.

Artist, Lurene Haines, began work on the southern wall on August 30 and despite rainy weather, the work is moving forward steadily. “I’m committed to evenings, weekends and holidays to accommodate my regular work schedule,” the artist said, “I want to try and get as much work completed before the winter weather hits.”

Haines started with the southern wall which faces the Senior Drop-In Centre’s parking lot and Water Wheel Park. “There is a Tour de Rock Breakfast and reception for the Cops for Cancer bike ride at the end of the month. I’d really like to have as much of this segment done as possible for that event. It would make a great backdrop for such an important event.”

A blog, Flickr photo page and YouTube channel have been created to document the progress of the mural. In addition, the artist is on Twitter doing regular updates on the mural.

For more information on the Festival of Murals and Mural #41, please contact:
Murray Schafer, Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre Coordinator - 250-246-9968
Lou Roelofsen, President, Chemainus Festival of Murals Society - 250-246-4181
Dr. Karl Schutz, Founder, Chemainus Festival of Murals Society - 250-246-6602

To follow the progress of the mural please visit:
http://mural41.wordpress.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mural41/
http://www.youtube.com/chemainusmural41
http://twitter.com/mural41

The Chemainus Festival of Murals Society is a non-profit, volunteer organization formed in 1981 by resident and businessman Karl Schutz, a group of volunteers, and the committed support of then mayor Graham Bruce, and the municipal council, to revitalize the town Chemainus following economic hardship. The vision of a town filled with creative and historical murals led to winning the prestigious New York Downtown Revitalization Award in 1983. Chemainus has since gained world-wide acclaim for the integrity and superb artistry of its huge depictions of the town's history with 41 outdoor murals plus carvings and statues. For more information on the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society visithttp://www.muraltown.com/

The Chemainus Seniors' Drop-In Centre, started in 1980 in a small rented building and today is housed in an 8750 sq ft building owned by the members. The CSDC is a vibrant non-denominational centre with over 500 members, and offers a wide variety of programs, activities and classes as well as special events and community activities. Membership is open to any seniors 55 years+ -- or to associate members with a spouse of 55 years+ -- and costs only $15 a year per person. The Chemainus Seniors' Drop-In Centre is run by the members and encourages active participation. For more information on the Chemainus Seniors' Drop-In Centre visithttp://www.chemainusseniors.ca