September 3, 2020
Last November, the community of Norman Wells came together with NWT artist, James Wedzin, to collectively create a new mural to adorn the Mackenzie Mountain School. As students and staff arrive for their first day of school Monday, September 14th, they will be welcomed by their final product.
ITI News Blog: Norman Wells Welcomes Two New Murals with Special Significance,
The eye-catching mural depicts a momma bear and her cub walking on the NWT tundra with a colourful background of fall foliage. As the home to the Mackenzie Mountain Grizzlies sports team, it is an appropriate addition to the front entrance of the Mackenzie Mountain School.
The amazing feature about this mural is it was collectively created by students and community members. During the day sessions, school children were invited to help paint the bears under the artful eye of James Wedzin. Community members were also invited to contribute to the mural during evening paint sessions.
The bear mural is one of two murals created during last year’s NWT Arts Week and is a welcome addition to a planned community Art Walk. The second art piece collectively created by the community was a painting of the Mackenzie Mountains, Aurora, and the Mackenzie River. It has been installed on the exterior of the community’s curling rink.
There are plans to create and install more murals in Norman Wells and to create an Art Walk with a map for visitors and northern art lovers.
These two newest installments in the community’s collective Art Walk are the result of collaboration between ITI’s Regional Arts Funding and various community organizations including the town’s Economic Development Officer, the Community Justice Committee, the Town of Norman Wells, Rampart Rentals, The Cat Train Café, Sahtu Dene Inn, the Northern Store and the Mackenzie Mountain School.
To learn more about NWT Arts Funding, click here