MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw’s public art committee has relied on Grant McLaughlin to maintain the community’s murals for 35 years, but it has begun searching for a successor to the veteran artist.
McLaughlin has more than 30 years of experience as a professional artist and has painted more than 11 murals during the last three decades, such as A Tribute to Gary Hyland, the Centennial Mural, Winter Carnival, Living with the Land, and First Watch.
He has also been associated with the committee — originally called the murals advisory committee — and its activities since it started in 1990.
The public art committee (PAC) agreed in November 2024 that a succession plan for mural maintenance was required, which meant finding a local artist who could take over once McLaughlin retired.
The committee discussed a few potential artists during its January meeting, with member Janice Bowley agreeing to contact someone to determine that person’s interest.
Bowley reported back during the March meeting and said the man she talked to had moved to British Columbia, while she knew of no one else to contact.
In response, member Jennifer McRorie said she knew of someone who possessed “a really strong skill set” who “works realistically” and can paint in any style. She offered to approach him, and she agreed that the committee could also advertise for someone.
McRorie added that she knew another male artist from the art guild who was “really skilled” and was familiar with a well-known female artist and offered to approach both.
The committee secretary suggested that asking people could be a starting point, while city administration said the committee would have to receive council’s approval if it wanted to issue an expression of interest through “the regular channels.”
Yvette Moore, the committee chairwoman and a well-known artist, said not every artist is capable or able to paint on huge areas or outside walls, which is where these murals are.
“It’s a certain skill set on its own. And I think Grant in the last little while was doing them on panels and them putting them up,” she continued. “But maintenance is right out there. So those are the challenges that would be faced to maintain them.”
McRorie replied that the one male artist she knows has worked with large-scale pieces, which are mainly sculptures. However, he paints as well and has created some larger pieces.
“I don’t know if he’s ever done murals, but he’s very skilled,” she added. “But I think because he has that construction background, he would maybe be able to deal with someone that is larger scale.”
The committee then decided to contact a few community artists to gauge their interest in becoming the new mural maintenance technician, but if that fails, they will ask council to issue an expression of interest.
Other art projects
Committee members discussed other art projects that have been on their radar, such as:
- The Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery (MJMJAG) is looking for a First Nations artist-in-residence, who could hopefully oversee a mural project
- The Chinese mural issue has been tabled until a suitable location can be found
- The Old Union Hospital mural (The Tradition Continues) has been accessioned into the MJMAG’s collection and rolled up until a large space can be found for it
- The MJMAG could showcase several sculptures in its collection by installing them in garden beds in Crescent Park and creating a “sculpture park” for tourists
The next public art committee meeting is Wednesday, April 9.
