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Celebrating Westlock’s arts scene

Edmonton-based graffiti artist Jordan Ernst painted the new mural at the skate park which was finished Sept. 28. Pictured, Ernst spray paints the town tag while kids did their own graffiti that day.
culture days
Edmonton-based graffiti artist Jordan Ernst painted the new mural at the skate park which was finished Sept. 28. Pictured, Ernst spray paints the town tag while kids did their own graffiti that day.

 Edmonton-based graffiti artist Jordan Ernst painted the new mural at the skate park which was finished Sept. 28. Pictured, Ernst spray paints the town tag while kids did their own graffiti that day.Edmonton-based graffiti artist Jordan Ernst painted the new mural at the skate park which was finished Sept. 28. Pictured, Ernst spray paints the town tag while kids did their own graffiti that day.

A new mural at the Action Sports Park, graffiti techniques for the young, a quilt exhibition, a few concerts, arts and crafts and a panel featuring local authors were all highlights of Alberta Culture Days last weekend in Westlock.

To start the Sept. 28 event, Edmonton graffiti artist Jordan Ernst of Graffiti Salad finished his skate park mural, commissioned by the Westlock Community Enhancement Society. Although the plan was to paint the entire work of art that day, but the weather forecasts for the weekend drove Ernst to Westlock last Wednesday to begin the project.

His signature in graffiti lettering is placed on a red and blue background, with train tracks running through, and a depiction of the grain terminal’s shadow on the corner.

Ernst was drawn to the project because he got his start in graffiti through the skate parks in Saskatoon. Himself a skater, this was an opportunity to design something memorable for the younger generations in Westlock.

 Ernst spent much of the week working on the mural, which was officially unveiled Sept. 28 during Alberta Culture Days in Westlock.Ernst spent much of the week working on the mural, which was officially unveiled Sept. 28 during Alberta Culture Days in Westlock.

While Ernst was working on his mural, the Westlock Library was hosting its own events. Libraries manager Lisa Old said that the focus this year was on the arts. Starting at 12:30 p.m., local guitarists Declan and Ethan Hartman and Tevin Hagstrom offered their renditions of Nirvana and Led Zeppelin songs.

Adjacent to the show was the Quilters Club, who brought numerous handmade items to display. This was their second year in attendance, and a short introduction was enough for Janice Ganczar to begin a most entertaining discussion about stitching patterns with the help of Fran Nadella.

They had brought quilts of all sizes and colours, bags, table runners all in several styles from the more basic block quilting to paper piecing. The club is quite numerous, with 40 members total. They were happy to be invited back, but advised that they will also hold a quilters show April 25 at the Westlock and District Community Hall.

There was some improv at the library too, some arts and crafts for kids to offset the dreary day and first sight of snow for the season, although it was a little quieter this year than the last, said Old.

For the authors’ panel, the library invited Rose Olson (The Adventures of Sassy the Red Hat Mascot), Lori Lumley (One Day at a Time) and Wanda Bakker (Born on a Boat: Mom’s Story) for a discussion on self-publication, the writing process and subject matter.

Back at the skate park about 40 kids gathered by 3 p.m. to learn graffiti techniques from Ernst, who graciously provided his own paint.

“It’s nice for the kids to put their mark on a place that they use,” said organizer Abby Keyes.

Some had stencils, others were free-handing their own messages to go along the already-existing tags which were already quite positive in message — keep going, you’re doing great and nice job.

Enrst finished the day with a last tag on the skate park, spray painting ‘Westlock’ on the raised concrete side visible from Highway 44.

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