YORKTON - The familiar mural which has provided a backdrop to the stage in City Centre Park for years disappeared under a coat of black paint last week.
Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley told Yorkton This Week the situation initially was a surprise as it was believed that maintaining the mural by Moose Jaw artist Grant McLaughlin, would be part of the sale of the building.
“We did believe that would naturally accompany the sale of that building regardless of who the new owner would be,” he said. “However, it was not included in the end.”
McLaughlin told YTW that generally an agreement is in place when a mural is created – for example 10 years – to ensure the piece remains in place for a time, but such agreements do not automatically transfer when a building is sold. He said over the years he knows of a few murals which were lost or changed after a property sale.
The situation is one where some murals are not created on panels which can be moved in the case of a property sale, said McLaughlin, adding that possibility was discussed when the Yorkton piece was being planned – but primarily because he as the artist had concerns with the stucco-wall not being the best for a mural.
That said, the artist noted “they do have a lifespan no matter how well you look after them.”
Hippsley did say Council was aware the paintover was coming.
“There is a saying; the only thing constant is change itself,” he said, detailing that “on Monday, May 27, 2024 City Council met with the new owners and had been made aware that they have new and exciting upgrades planned for the art/mural on the west wall of the building.
“The meeting was a good opportunity to exchange information, such as history of the mural, and the new owner’s vision and plans for its future.
“We were appreciative of their communication and willingness to share this information in advance of making changes.”
The mural had had a rather long history in the city.
McLaughlin said there was a significant process in terms of the mural working with what was then Renaissance Yorkton to create something that covered the history of the city and its people. He said attention was paid to make sure women and youth were included, and different ethnic groups such as First Nations – the casino staff person and the farmer in the mural.
Information provided by the city details more of the creation of the now lost mural.
It was in May of 2008, the City approved the model (maquette) of the mural which was set to be painted/installed on the west side of the building owned at that time by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming.
The project was presented to Council by the Renaissance Committee of the day, and Council supported the Committee to proceed with the project.
Members of that Committee which presented to Council included Merle Sherwin, Sandra MacColl, and Randy Holfeld.
In that presentation, Council was advised that the artist McLaughlin would take two weeks to paint the mural, weather permitting, and that the Committee would also need approval from the owner of the building, being the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Commission.
Records of the city show that Yorkton Business Improvement District (YBID) issued the artist a $10,000 cheque for the work in 2008.
SLGA and the city agreed to split the cost for the preparation of the wall for the mural in 2008.
Again, City records show $16,283.40 was paid to Logan Stevens as the City’s portion for the work.
Some restoration/touch-up work supported by the YBID, was done in 2021 by the original artist.
