An enthusiastic group of artists walk toward their colossal canvas located on the north side of the Saskatchewan Health Authority building. A mural done by local artist Brandi Hofer has been turning heads in the downtown core after Hofer and her team recently finished the 3,082-sq.-ft. work of art. Photo courtesy of Kristin Hickman/Red Banjo Studios
A giant mural has been turning quite a few heads in downtown Lloydminster.
The 3,082-sq.-ft. work of art, located on the north side of the Saskatchewan Health Authority building, has a profound meaning behind it.
“This mural is really so much more than each and every one of us. It’s more of us together as a collective than any one organization, and it will stand as a legacy for generations to come—of our community’s commitment to truth and reconciliation,” said Lloydminster Region Health Foundation (LRHF) CEO Stephanie Munro.
“For some, it will be a symbol of hope for the future, for others, it represents beautification and revitalization of our downtown. For community members and employees, it provides a welcoming and vibrant workplace. This mural is a starting point for some difficult conversations, but also conversations that will bring individuals together to learn, grow and heal together.”
Munro says the project couldn’t have been possible without support from the donors, sponsors, volunteers, and the LRHF board of directors.
“Through a very supportive board of directors, the Choose Love: Join Hands in Truth and Reconciliation mural project came to fruition,” said Munro.
“We’re obviously honoured to have played a vital role in the initiation and collaboration of this project. It’s been about two years of discussions, fundraising, learning, clarification—really to ensure all aspects were inclusive of the messaging that needed to be represented in the mural project.”
Although the massive artwork took years of planning, it only took two weeks for artist Brandi Hofer and her group of volunteers to complete.
“It was a long process … I had reached out to Randi Noble, founder of Yellow Finch Images, who helped install the mural. The photography in the mural is hers, from Lloydminster’s first powwow,” said Hofer.
Noble suggested to Hofer that she accompany her to a Heart of Treaty 6 meeting, and Hofer said the project really took shape after that.
“It’s about building bridges … this is such delicate subject matter and I feel it’s so important to communicate it in the proper way, with proper protocol and the right people involved,” Hofer explained.
“So we worked on that for a long, long time. And the photography definitely spoke to the project– as soon as I saw it, I was like ‘this is it.’”
When the project was approved by the Heart of Treaty 6 group, Hofer said it was life-changing.
“When the project was blessed by the Heart of Treaty 6, and we had lots of story-sharing in the circle meeting– that’s when I knew my creativity had the power to make change. How can I help our community? How can I help the world? And that’s through my creative gift,” said Hofer.
“Honestly, it’s been the honour of my life. It was bigger and better than any one of us envisioned even. It’s not just paint on a wall. It’s so much more than that.”
Some of the volunteers who worked on the mural were part of a youth mentorship program.
“We have an indigenous mentorship program with the project, so we had two artists– they were from Onion Lake and Lloyd, and they’re 15 and 16,” said Hofer. “I mentored them through what it was to make a mural, the idea is it empowers them enough to go and use their creativity. It was so empowering and cool to see them grow.”
Hofer said one of the things she misses the most about working on the mural is the people who would stop by to say hi and ask about the project. One person stood out to her in particular.
“Someone was coming down the street– the fair and the chuckwagons were on … and he was like banging things and yelling ..they’re inebriated,” she recalled.
“But he stopped dead in his tracks when he sees us working on the mural, he’s like ‘WOW, this is amazing! Great job!’ And then quietly continues on his way. It was just the perfect example of how artwork is transformative.”
