An artist's message of hope in trying times — and a strong supporting cast — have resulted in the installation of a colourful 64-foot wide mural in downtown North Bay.
Covering the remnants of the serious December 2019 fire involving buildings between the 100 blocks of Main Street East and Oak Street East, the Downtown North Bay project showcases the vision of local artist Sky Marit and was a collaboration involving several moving parts to complete. Aptly, the mural proclaims: "We will get through this. We are in this together."
North Bay's Skyra Laframboise, the talent behind Sky Marit and Anxious Sap Design, has since relocated to British Columbia. She spoke glowingly of the mural experience on her artist's Instagram page and thanked Creative Industries, Downtown North Bay, and See More Graphics for making it possible for her artwork to be displayed. Downtown North Bay received funding for the mural through a public art grant via the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
"Look at this incredible mural I had the honour of designing for my hometown of North Bay. I’m honoured my design was chosen and used to brighten up the streets of my hometown. I am overjoyed! I’m overwhelmed! I’m grateful!" she posted.
The artist shares how creating the artwork kept her going through some tough times during the pandemic.
"This by far the best thing that’s come out of the last year for me," says Lafambroise about the mural. After her move west she had not met many people due to the pandemic and "felt quite alone so my artwork kept me sane. This mural sparked hope in me again to continue doing my artwork."
Jaymie Lathem of Creative Industries, who served as a liaison for the group effort, tells BayToday that property owner Jimmy Kolios approved the project and also paid for and had installed all the wood used for the base of the mural. Lathem adds See More Graphics printed the artwork on a sturdy aluminum composite panel, suitable for our northern climate. It offered to move the art installation if it needed to be moved so the site could be redeveloped.
In correspondence with BayToday, Laframboise explains she is a tarot card reader and this heavily influenced the look and meaning of the artwork.
"I really wanted to design something bright during these darker times. The eyes I painted are actually my mother's. She committed suicide a few years back and she was an incredible artist who I definitely still gain inspiration from," she shares.
Laframboise adds the symbolism that we are being looked after by our loved ones during these trying times, is something "nice to think about when we are feeling low. Having her eyes in the mural symbolizes the spirit watching over us."
The artist agrees she has been deeply inspired by her mother's own art and this has given her an appreciation for all things with a retro aesthetic. Much of the mural has personal meaning to Laframboise but deals with concepts such as loss, fear, and hope that are universal and relatable to a wide audience.
"I am also a twin which is why there are two women represented in the art who are holding the rainbows that read, 'We will get through this, we are in this together.' The twins represent a reflection of ourselves in everybody we meet and what we are collectively going through. The sun is also a tarot reference representing brighter days ahead and the mountains are where I am now. And, each doorway is my reminder I always have a home in North Bay."
