MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw’s ghost murals are a reminder of historic businesses that once existed in the community, so a heritage group wants city hall to consider preserving some of those artworks.
Stella Richards, a member of the city’s heritage advisory committee, spoke to the public art committee (PAC) recently about how many ghost murals are in jeopardy of becoming completely unreadable or simply need “some tender loving care.”
Although some murals are not on heritage buildings, the committee thought the artworks were worthy of upkeep or restoration since they were “a meaningful part of the history of our downtown,” she continued. Moreover, rejuvenating and enhancing these murals would boost tourism and give visitors the chance to see additional community history.
Richards presented the PAC with some archival pictures she had photographed at the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery featuring businesses’ murals during their heyday, such as the Army & Navy Department Store, Metropolitan Stores and Robinson-MacBean Ltd. department store.
“Some are still visible, but some are already gone,” she said.
Richards also presented photos of current ghost murals, such as the Metropolitan Stores, the Evening Times, Bellamy Furniture, Morrison-Blackwood Hardware Building and Souvenirs and Post Cards.
She noted that some murals are barely visible — the Morrison-Blackwood Hardware Building sign is “not in good shape” — while others like “Souvenirs” have been slightly updated.
Richards noted that the heritage advisory committee is adding QR codes to certain heritage building plaques to enhance history and tourism and thought PAC could use similar technology to educate residents and visitors about ghost murals.
“I hope this is something you can take on … ,” she said, adding that she understood that PAC — similar to the heritage committee — faced financial pressures because of a small budget.
Coun. Heather Eby, council’s rep on PAC, said the “Souvenirs” mural on The Hive building was a project the murals committee completed more than a decade ago and, it turned out, was the only one it had commissioned.
Furthermore, the committee looked at enhancing a mural on the 100 block of Main Street North but determined it would be too dangerous to address because the building’s wall was falling in, she continued. The Bellamy Furniture and Evening Times murals would be “great” to redo, while the structural integrity of the former Morrison-Blackwood building allegedly prevents enhancing that mural.
Richards replied saying the committee could ask the building owners if they would support the cost of updating the murals. Moreover, some murals are close to the ground and wouldn’t pose a safety issue for the artist, although higher ones might.
The Coke-a-cola ghost mural on the McKarr’s Building would “be an amazing one” to restore, so maybe the beverage company could support the cost, said Eby. Also, the committee could ask Walchuk Masonry to support the Codville mural at 337 River Street West since it renovated that historic building.
“I love the ghost murals … ,” she added.
Yvette Moore, a PAC member, said she spoke to a tourist recently about ghost murals, with the man indicating that he liked how the artworks looked now. She later conducted research and found many communities across the United States revived their ghost murals, which boosted tourism.
“I think the direction (the heritage advisory committee) is going is warranted for bringing up part of our history … ,” she added.
Other PAC members supported adding the rejuvenation of ghost murals to their work plan but wanted a catalogue of all the artwork so they could determine a potential cost. They then tabled the topic until their next meeting so they could acquire more information.
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