INNISFAIL – The great Welcome Mural in downtown Innisfail is almost complete.
The project on the south wall of The Coffee Cottage at 5112 - 49 Ave. has been spearheaded by Calgary artist and Innisfail native Karen Scarlett.
As of last weekend the work so far, which has relied heavily on volunteerism, has already garnered rave reviews on social media.
“A really great piece that has evolved from this project is the connections people have with the community and stories that have been shared,” said Scarlett. “It has been wonderful to visit and connect with so many people who have a very special link to the town and community at large.
“To see so many people excited about a project like this that connects all the various cultures and histories and stories about the community has been very special for me.”
The project, an initiative by the Innisfail Welcoming & Inclusive Community Committee, was designed and created to welcome all citizens of different cultures and languages.
As well, the project’s secondary goal is to honour the rich heritage of the building; the site of the original creamery that was built in the late 1920s.
Work on the project began in mid-July. Scarlett said the project has been supported by about 60 volunteers.
She said her volunteer team gathered more than 60 handwriting samples in various languages. Each of the handwriting samples were photographed, and blown up into large stencils that volunteers prepared into them to use for painting.
“There are so many people who have shown up to participate in many ways and have heard through a stream of friends to add their piece to the project,” said Scarlett. “I feel that through six degrees of separation that we have likely involved hundreds of people.”
Scarlett said it’s hoped the Welcome Mural will be completed this week.
