We Have a Winner!
The Chemainus Festival of Murals Society is proud to announce the winner of the “Name the Mural” contest is Aly Tomlin of Riot Brewing. Aly’s winning entry is:
In Tune With Nature
The newest addition to the Chemainus Festival Of Murals Society’s outdoor art gallery is a departure from what is commonly called a mural, i.e. art painted directly on a wall or surface. However, In Tune With Nature is painted on a box that contains a piano. See images and full description below.
About the Mural
The themes of In Tune With Nature, painted on the inner and outer surfaces of a purpose-built enclosure, are nature and music. The exterior features a lush forest scene with some of its interested denizens keeping watch, with the music of the forest wending its way through the surroundings. The musical score is from What a Wonderful World popularized by Louis Armstrong.
When the box is opened and the sides are outspread, the interior of the enclosure is revealed. Viewers see a piano, painted and blended into an underwater ocean scene. Earth’s oceans have their own creatures and their own music, which is shown moving through the water. The water’s musical score mimics that of a whale’s call.
In Tune With Nature was designed and painted by Kris Friesen of Duncan and the enclosure was constructed by Dean Irwin of Chemainus.
More Than a Mural
The original concept of a “mural on a piano in a box” was conceived by Peggy Grigor of Pottery by Peggy, and the 1905 Bell upright grand piano was donated by both Peggy, and Brad Grigor of Turning Point Arts.
Peggy wanted this to be a departure from traditional murals in several respects. First, it is not on a wall. Second, it is 3D and provides two murals in one. Finally, it is visual, audible and interactive since it is also a public street piano and everyone is invited to sit down and make music.
Where to Find It
In Tune With Nature is located at the Chemainus Public Market on Willow Street. The unveiling will take place when social distancing measures are no longer in effect.
