Friendship Park Mural

Sunday Afternoon on Sechelt's Grand Shore

Commissioned to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of both the District of Sechelt and self-government for the shishalh Nation, Sunday Afternoon on Sechelt’s Grand Shore was a months-long project for local artist Dean Schutz. Schutz’s proposal was to create an homage to the French Post-Impressionist painting A Sunday on la Grande Jatte, 1884-86 by Georges Seurat. In place of Seurat’s 19^th century Parisians relaxing on the bank on the river Seine, Schutz has populated his mural with numerous iconic people and places from Sechelt.

It was Schutz’s hope that this new mural could represent the past, present and future of Sechelt. “The location of the mural is unique because it’s where the District’s boundary meets that of their neighbours, the shíshálh Nation, and where the land meets the sea. I wanted to create a vibrant and inclusive design that would honour and reflect the diverse elements of Sechelt Village, the shíshálh Nation, industrial activity at the port, children in the playground, and people enjoying nature along the waterfront. I think the mural brings that all together and celebrates this wonderful diversity at Friendship Park,” said Schutz.

About the Artist

Dean Schutz, mojoworks.ca

• BFA, Emily Carr University of Art + Design (1993)
• Sechelt-based artist Dean Schutz is well known in the local arts community. Since completing his diploma in Painting and Film at the Emily Carr University of Art & Design in 1993, he has created more than a dozen murals from Gibsons to Ruby Lake.