This community art project was completed in La Ronge on Sunday. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

creativity

Public art projects boosting community pride in La Ronge

Sep 28, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Organizers hope two new public art projects in La Ronge will contribute to a sense of community pride.

On Sunday, more than 70 residents came together to paint dozens of beaded flowers on a retaining wall across from Conexus Credit Union. It was made possible through a grant by the Town of La Ronge and volunteers with the La Ronge Arts Council.

“The idea was to kind of make it look like beadwork with the small dots and the flower pattern,” arts council member Alexis Reichert said. “Andrea Cowan and myself traced out the pattern in chalk and we painted the background black, then we invited people to come and create all the colourful dots within the pattern that we drew.”

Reichert noted she was impressed with the turnout, adding they had to paint more flowers because the project was completed faster than they thought. She said the idea was to get as many people involved as possible, so local residents would have a sense of ownership over the work.

Another public art project is currently underway at Robertson Trading along La Ronge Ave. The painting being completed there is also through the arts council, who hired Sammi Kopeck to lead the work. It’s more of a solo project, but Reichert mentioned community input was taken into account at a Sept. 3 engagement meeting.

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“I think it looks beautiful. We are really happy with the work that she is doing,” Reichert said. “She’s been super awesome to work with and I think it’s going to look gorgeous. I love that it takes up the whole space the way that is flows across the wall. She just started adding the colour and, I think when the colour goes in, it’s really going to pop with the black outlines inspired by the Woodlands Cree style.”

This art project began in La Ronge about two weeks ago. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

The project is also being completed through a Town of La Ronge grant and Reichert said the painting should be done before it gets too cold. She noted Robertson Trading was also supportive of the project and owners gave approval fairly easy.

“We thought it was a nice spot because it’s where you turn to get downtown and it will be one of the first things when you turn on to main street,” Reichert said. “It’s also nice and high up and really visible.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno