Mural 10

10M x 8M (30’ X 16’), WATER WHEEL CRESCENT

Company Store

Painted in 1983
by Dan Sawatzky, Chemainus (now residing in Cultus Lake, BC)

The Artist

“There’s no place in the world I’d rather be! I can feel the sparkle in the air just approaching the town. I’ve never been so involved in a community.”

Born in Vancouver and raised in Castlegar, B.C., Dan Sawatzky has experienced much of what British Columbia has to offer. His travels have accorded him a sense of locale which he has translated into art. His main objective is accurately depicting the humble qualities of everyday objects that are so much a part of our heritage.

Largely self taught, Sawatzky’s repertoire includes works in pen and ink and egg tempera. On a larger scale he has painted historical murals all across North America, both in Canada and the U.S.A.

The Art

Using an oval format, this mural shows an interior depiction of the Victoria Lumber & Manufacturing Company Store, circa 1917. The artist recreated the deep perspective of the colourfully-laden shelves from old photographs.

D.A. Gatus was the store manager. He is seen standing in the mid-ground. Miss Ann Porter worked as a clerk, and is pictured on the left behind the counter.

The V.L. & M. Company used one of the first known credit card systems in the store. The purchaser would pay for the goods with coupons. In turn, the store would receive credit for the same from the company, which would deduct the amount from their employee’s pay cheque.

The name “Victoria Lumber & Manufacturing Company”, and its trade mark, the letter “V” in a diamond, became known throughout the world. Next Mural >