SHAUNAVON — The South West Mural Fest is getting set to hit the streets (or rather buildings) of Shaunavon, for the second year in a row. Held in conjunction with Shaunavon’s annual summer celebration, Boomtown Days, the mural fest returns from July 16 to 20 and will feature seven mural artists from across North America including Toronto, Ont., Saskatoon, Medicine Hat, Alta., Billings, Mont., Los Angeles, Calif. and Houston, Texas.
Andrew Robertson is a local visual artist who initiated this event in 2024. Robertson is becoming a well-known visual artist in various media. His first taste of a mural festival was in Medicine Hat, where he painted his first mural. His collection has grown quickly with additional murals in Shaunavon, Eastend, Regina and Swift Current, along with privately commissioned murals and a recent installation at the long-term care facility in Shaunavon.
Six murals will be created during the mural fest.
“In this second year, we opened up an application process and received more than 80 applications from artists from all over the world including Italy, Germany, Australia and the United States, to name a few,” Robertson says.
“We chose five artists from that process and two of the artists who participated last year will be returning.”
Artists are provided with a fee, food, accommodation and supplies. The walls are prepped and primed by the committee in advance. The mural locations are curated by Robertson with the co-operation of local business and building owners.
Businesses and organizations have also stepped up to support the festival as sponsors.
“L10 Electric has donated a thousand bottles of water that will be distributed for free to attendees,” Robertson provides as an example of the support.
Organizers are still accepting sponsorships and donations for the event and donations of $20 or more can receive a charitable receipt through the Town of Shaunavon.
A walking tour including last year’s murals and this year’s works-in-progress will be available and outlined on a map. There will also be a drop-in graffiti experience, free for all ages. A professional graffiti writer who has 25 years of experience will teach basic spray can techniques that participants can try for themselves.
Robertson says this is the only mural festival in Saskatchewan.
“I participated in the Medicine Hat Mural Fest and had mentoring and advice from the organizer there, Jeff Goring. Jeff was also one of our featured artists last year, painting the mural on the south side of Hairanoia Cuts & Crystals on Centre Street. I thought a mural fest would be a great thing for Shaunavon.”
Robertson knows what each participating mural artist will be painting and says the subjects will be relatable to the area. A documentary maker, vlogger (video-logger) and videographer/photographer will also be capturing the event. Organizers hope the South West Mural Fest continues to grow.
“It really complements all of the other activities happening during Boomtown Days weekend,” Robertson adds,
South West Mural Fest runs from July 16 to 20 and more information and updates on artists and activities can be found on their social media or website at swmuralfest.com and anyone interested in more information or who wants to become a sponsor or donor can e-mail [email protected].
