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By: Lindsay Morey
Advertisement 1 Share this Story : SPCC's anniversary mural melds history, culture and community SPCC's anniversary mural melds history, culture and community Author of the article: Article content For the first time, all eyes are not going to be focused on what's happening on the ice. Advertisement 2 Article content SPCC's anniversary mural melds history, culture and community Back to video On Sunday, May 5, the Sherwood Park Curling Club (SPCC) unveiled its welcoming and vibrant mural entitled Curling in the Country by Sherwood Park artist Josh Harnack. Article content The overall piece is mean to showcase curling from the 1960s to current day. Spanning the massive back wall of the rink, the image incorporates various curling activities, equipment, teams, abilities and terms. The piece weaves local animals, flora and fauna with the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Highlights include a hog on the hog line, a rink rat, a coyote with a Team Canada jersey, a moose throwing a stone, a beaver hanging out in the house, a Canadian goose squawking from a wheelchair, a rock etched with Indigenous language symbols, and the Northern Lights wrapping around two clashing curling stones. Advertisement 3 Article content Suggested by long-time SPCC members Dianne Loesch-Fika and Donna Dosma, the project was part of a legacy piece to coincide with the club's 20th anniversary as well as 60 years of curling in Strathcona County in 2023. Over the past two years, that idea became a reality with the help and hard work by dedicated SPCC volunteers, the SPCC Executive Committee, the Government of Alberta Arts, Culture, and Status of Women, Strathcona County, a fundraising campaign and many sponsors. “This mural project has a dream of mine for several years. I'm so excited that Josh has brought to life. It's going to be hard to concentrate on curling next season,” said Loesch-Fika, who is a SPCC milestone member, donor and project leader. Advertisement 4 Article content The mural cost just over $38,000, which included $19,000 in grants, $11K from fundraising, and $8K from in-kind donations. Harnack called the mural a full circle moment for him as he grew up in Glen Allan and would drop into the GARC all of the time. The mural itself took 30 days to create and about 30 gallons of paint. Measuring 7.7 metres high and 37.3 metres long, the artist said it's his biggest art piece to date and it was also his most challenging one, due to the raised pillars and pipes along the wall as well as maneuvering a lift around the ceiling lights, and making sure that everything looked good from multiple angles. “In the realm of inclusivity and diversity, if we made them all animals, then everybody can interject their own ‘oh, that's me and oh that's you.' I thought it would be more inclusive for everybody if we can superimpose who we are into the animals,” Harnack said, explaining the anthropomorphism tone of the piece. Advertisement 5 Article content The artist was thankful for the opportunity. He also gave a nod to his dad and uncle, who helped him paint, and meals and support from his girlfriend and club volunteers. “I am immensely blessed to have such an incredible team supporting me, without whom this endeavour wouldn't have been possible,” Harnack said. “My hope is that the people of Strathcona County will cherish and enjoy this mural for decades to come.” For everyone who attended Sunday's VIP celebration, all agreed it was a welcome addition to the club. “It's spectacular. It encapsulates everything that we wanted to have from the community feel to the curling heritage. When I look at it, it moves. I'm thrilled by the buzz here today,” SPCC business manager Heather Nedohin said on Sunday. “Josh has surprised a lot of people by how magnificent it is in size, colour and detail.” Advertisement 6 Article content Nehohin's eyes jumped across the wall as she tried to pick a favourite part. “I love the coyote. She's sassy and her eyes are very piercing. I love the Canadian goose wand how much she's squawking and seeing that ‘Hurry Hard' coming out of her. The detail of the wild rose out of the rock is stunning with the Indigenous symbols. From wall to wall is what I'm most pleased by because initially we were only going to do six panels but quickly realized it wouldn't look complete.” The mural will surely be a centrepiece for any group photos going forward when the club hosts major curling events. 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