The results of the community vote for the Moricetown Band’s Mural Competition was a while coming as there was a four-way tie for first place!
The artists made if very tough to choose as there were 18 amazing entries. The winner, and award for $2,500 prize for first place and the honour of having their artwork displayed on the side of the Esso building, is James Madam for his design entitled Making the Run inspired by the ancient Wet’suwet’en story of The Boy and the Salmon.
The mural contains mountain vistas with a winding river and the powerful salmon catapulting out of the water underneath the eyes of a watchful eagle.
James Madam is a well known local Wet’suwet’en artist from the Wolf/Bear Clan who teaches as well as paints and wood carves items such as totem poles and masks. You can view some of his artwork at the weekly farmers’ market in Smithers.
Honourable mentions go to Warren Euverman for Our River, Our People, Natasha Bucholtz for Many Suns, Many Moons, and Michelle Bucholtz for Our Culture, Our Land and Our People.
Many thanks to the many artists who shared their time and talents through their artwork with our community. Special thanks to our funder Victoria Foundation Canada 150 for making this project possible. Please visit Moricetown this summer to see the mural mounted on the side of the cornerstone Esso Convenience Store.
Submitted by Moricetown Band Economic Development.