2 minute read
Welcome Arch
BY MARINA SACHT
There’s a new way to welcome people to Chemainus. You may have already noticed that this summer, the new mural was designed around the existing “Welcome to Chemainus” sign. Artist Trish Oldfield revamped the “Welcome” sign into a stunning mural, seeing an opportunity to beautify the space. Oldfield is Chemainus's mural restoration artist.
And now, the Chemainus Coast Salish Welcome Arch is soon to be unveiled this winter.
Funds for the Arch project came from various donors, including Island Coastal Economic Trust, said Shannon Bellamy, vice president of the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society. This new installation will bring the count of murals and sculptures to 62 art installations in the town.
Artist Maynard Johnny Jr. said the Coast Salish Welcome Arch will be mounted at Waterwheel Park, the original site of Penelakut.
Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw artist Maynard was born in Campbell River in 1973. He is an accomplished artist inspired by Northwest Coast artistic traditions. Maynard said the stories from his Elders played a key role in inspiring the design of the Welcome Arch.
On one side, a heron pays tribute to the numerous herons that the area attracts. On the other side, two salmon heads, one male and one female, signify balance. Between them is an egg — its sex is undetermined. On the top of the arch are a pair of eagles.
Balance is a critical element of this piece. “We’ve lost the balance of society in modern culture,” he said, pointing to failures in the government and healthcare systems, as well as the disproportionate number of Indigenous People who are incarcerated, in foster care, or have succumbed to suicide.
“Our central system was balanced once; now it’s not... We didn’t kill 20,000 deer, only what we needed.”
Maynard, who produces art and inspires thoughtful conversations, believes that two different cultures can work together.
A message of balance is welcome indeed.
