Powell River will be receiving a new mural on its city water reservoir atop Haslam Street.
A letter from Stefan Fogarty, also known as Catnip, was received at the committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, July 16, requesting he be allowed to paint a mural on the structure.
Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman said she’d like to move receipt of the letter but would also like to take the artist up on his offer to do a mural on the Haslam Lake reservoir.
“I’d like to see us make that happen,” she added.
Councillor Cindy Elliott also said she was in favour of the mural project.
“We would want him to discuss his vision with somebody, maybe a staff member,” said Elliott.
Councillor George Doubt said he was also in favour of the project.
“I saw his last proposal and went and looked at it yesterday at the Townsite wastewater treatment plant and it’s holding up quite well,” said Doubt. “It’s been quite a symbolic mural that’s on that piece of concrete down there and it kind of surprised me that it has remained quite clear of graffiti over the time it has been there. It’s holding up well and it’s a good piece of public art.”
Doubt said, however, there were safety considerations at the Haslam Lake reservoir, given its height.
“It seems to me that the height is sufficient enough that WorkSafeBC would be requiring fall restraints,” said Doubt. “When the discussion around the design of the mural is talked about I’d like to see someone from the city talk to the artist about safety procedures, working at a height like that. I think safety requirements would kick in.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said Fogarty’s work can also be seen on his building in Wildwood.
“He went and did a concept that I gave him on the building,” said Formosa, adding that he didn’t mind helping the artist purchase paint.
The committee directed staff to provide a letter to Fogarty approving the proposed mural project at the Haslam Lake water facility, underwriting the cost of the paint required to complete the mural, and to include Fogarty as a city volunteer so he would qualify for insurance. He would also have to go by safety rules.
In his letter to council, Fogarty said akin to a previous mural proposal for the mill pond wastewater treatment facility from last year, he was interested in another blank structure to paint a Powell River scene on.
Since its construction, the water facility at the top of Haslam Street has taken the place of a nice little forest he used to peruse as a teen, and stands there “blank and beautiful,” said Fogarty.
“I'd like to reclaim a bit of nature onto the nice building and adorn it with a water goddess, pouring water down the hill from her hands, and her heart a waterfall... on the side face, closest to the road, all different animals from the local area, flowing like water in a herd,” Fogarty stated in his letter. “At the top of that same side I'd like to do different reference paintings of spots along the backcountry: iconic lake views, forest walks, et cetera.”
Each would be a reference from real spots, so those who know them will recognize them.
Fogarty stated beyond that, there will be much more space for a lot of the local flora and colour elements in order to make the whole building visually appealing.
“Just as the last time I proposed, I would do this project for free, although I am not opposed to having some form of assistance for the paint,” he stated. “In fact I would greatly appreciate it.”
Fogarty stated he is honoured to be considered in his ongoing project to paint Powell River and the qathet region with joyous, inviting images that remind us of the nature we occupy and are a part of.
