Back in 2017, I started photographing the murals in Winnipeg, Canada.  Three years later, the pandemic stopped me in my tracks. I got really busy with other projects, and do not think I will find the time to complete that project.  With that said, I managed to photograph more than 200 out of the 600+ murals that dot the walls of my city. So, all in all, I think I can rest easy. 🙂 In this post, I would like to show you a few of my favorites. NB: Some of the murals have been erased or replaced since I took the photos.  “Glima” by Ben Clarkson (2008) The mural celebrates the Icelandic community’s contribution to Canada. The Winnipeg Falcons, most members of which were of Icelandic descent,  represented Canada at the 1920 Winter Olympics and ended up giving the country its first-ever Olympic gold medal in ice hockey. In the photo, you will also see two men practicing Icelandic folk wrestling (aka glima), as well as a bomber plane pilot during WWI. (Names from left to right: Konnie Johannesson, Frank Fredrickson and Slim Halderson) Ben Clarkson’s website: https://thebenclarkson.com “Windows into Portugal” by Allison Penner (2009) This mural depicts traditional Portuguese scenes. The azulejos are hand-painted tiles. Brown terracotta tiles are used for roofs. Windows 1 and 2 feature a farmer and a woman carrying a bucket of sardines; both are dressed in traditional clothes. In window 3, there are a soccer player and the Belém Tower. This monument was part of a defence system at the mouth of the Tagus river as well as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. The smaller windows feature the Monument of Discovery, an outline of mainland Portugal, an anchor, and the Rooster of Barcelos, one of the most famous emblems of Portugal. The soccer scene above them also has people picking up grapes that are used to make port wine. The players’ jerseys bear the names of some of the kids who worked on the wall. “Glass Garden Mosaics” by Ursula Neufeld (2012) Ursula Neufeld’s website: http://ursulaneufeldmosaics.strikingly.com “Prairie Spirits” by Brian Gasenzer aka Cash Akoza (2015) This mural pays homage to our connection with animals and animal spirits. It was made with spray paint. Cash Akoza’s website: https://www.cashakoza.com “Nation of Ethiopia” by Jennifer Johnson & Carolyn Burnet (2006) Anyone familiar with track and field knows the kind of athletes Ethiopians are. They have ruled the long-distance races for years. Abebe Bikila (left) is probably the most iconic. During the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, he ran the marathon barefoot. Not only did he win the gold medal, but he also set a world record! Bikila successfully defended his title four years later and won 10 other races in his career. Three other runners are featured in the mural — Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele and Meseret Dafar (bottom right). The latter dominated the 3000-metre and 500-metre races (indoor events) for years. She holds several Olympic and World Championship gold medals and is the first woman to have run two miles under nine minutes. The falls in the mural are the Blue Nile Falls, also known as “Tis Abay” in Amharic (“great smoke”). The Blue Nile is one of the tributaries of the Nile River and originates at the south end of Lake Tana in northwestern Ethiopia. Finally, the pink flower is an Ethiopian rose. It is also the most popular flower in Ethiopia. “Adam Beach on Location” by Charlie Johnston (2003) It is not everywhere that you see a mural that celebrates a Hollywood actor who is still alive. Winnipeggers love Adam Beach, especially in the West End. A lot of it has to do with the fact that he is a Manitoban. This member of the Saulteaux First Nations has appeared in over 60 films and television programs, including Flags of Our Fathers, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Suicide Squad, and Windtalkers. The artist chose the spot on purpose: Beach was raised by his aunt and uncle (after his parents died) two blocks away from there. At the bottom right of photo 1, a young Beach wears the Orioles uniform, a baseball team for which he played. Then, in the middle, he is standing with his left arm around a bear, a reference to his Aboriginal name — Leading Bear Man. The role that brought him fame (Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale) is also featured prominently to the top left, while the remaining part is about Windtalkers. In the movie, Beach represents the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. Adam Beach is very involved in his community. For example, his Adam Beach Film Institute seeks to give more visibility to Aboriginal youth in the media arts and film industry. Charlie Johnston’s website: https://charliejohnston.ca “School Patrols: Carrying the Vision” by Brianna Mulhall (Brianče) (2011) A celebration of the 75th anniversary of the national School Safety Patrol programme that originated in the area. In the mid-1930s, teacher Louise Staples was tasked by the Greenway School to find a way to protect children from growing vehicular traffic. She organized a group of older boys to patrol the intersections at lunchtime and before / after school. Each member wore a white Sam Browne belt, which made them instantly recognizable to children and drivers alike. Other schools in the city followed suit shortly after. The Winnipeg Police Department then standardized the techniques used by the patrols and provided road safety training. At the end of the decade, the programme had spread throughout the province. Today, 100,000 Canadian kids take part in those patrols every year.   The words on the right side of the mural are the Patrol Pledge. “Photo Finish” by Charlie Johnston & Tom Andrich (2002) The mural depicts horse racing at the three race tracks that have existed in Winnipeg. The one at Whittier Park closed its doors in 1924, while Polo Park’s was replaced by a shopping centre 32 years later. Assiniboina Downs opened in 1958 and remains the only place for horse racing in the city. I have been there a couple of times. Tom Andrich’s website: http://www.themuralsofwinnipeg.com/Mpages/ArtistProfile.php?ID=177 Charlie Johnston’s website: https://charliejohnston.ca Untitled by Dorothy Streilein (1998) This is exactly of I imagine life in Canada in the 18th century. If you visit the old part of Québec City, you will see similar buildings. “A Look at The Nook” by Sarah Collard (2011) The Nook is a famous Greek-inspired diner. The mural was painted to curb graffiti. Bill and Athina Paradisis, who can be seen standing arm in arm, own The Nook and The Nook and Cranny on Portage Avenue. They took over the business after their parents retired. The latter and their uncle are shown playing cards inside in the middle of the mural. The background features the original Misericordia Hospital and the Single Mother’s Birthing Hospital, which used to be located beside the restaurant. The Alba Brothers, who were the original owners, are standing in front of the red car. Sarah Collard’s website: http://www.sarahcollard.ca “Gaia” by Nereo Eugenio a.k.a. Nereo II (2016) Gaia is the mother goddess who presided over the Earth in Greek mythology. “Walk Through the Seasons” by Sarah Collard (2012) The mural takes a look at life-changing experiences like loss of a loved one or divorce. It also celebrates the things that make this area of the city so appealing throughout the year. The family on the right are the artist’s cousins and their two children. Sarah Collard’s website: http://www.sarahcollard.ca “St. Regis Hotel est. 1911” by Charlie Johnston (2003) The mural shows the front of the Regis Hotel at the turn of the 20th century. The other structure to the left is the Birks building, which is still standing after more than a hundred years. Several frequent guests of the hotel are featured, including a tribal band counsellor and a lawyer. This mural looks like a real-life scene. It has a virtually perfect perspective. The real windows seamlessly blend in, which will confuse you even more. The first time I saw it, I actually thought there was a streetcar in the parking lot! Even more mind-blowing is the fact that the piece covers a surface of 520 square metres! Charlie Johnston’s website: https://charliejohnston.ca “Untitled” by Mandy van Leeuwen (2000) History of North American Lumber, a prominent company founded in Rivers, Manitoba, Canada in 1906, that sells lumber, hardware and building materials across several provinces. It also acknowledges the current businesses in the building: Kellett Copy Centre and Morrell’s. Mandy van Leeuwen’s website: https://www.mandyvanleeuwen.com “Untitled” by Mandy van Leeuwen and Michel St. Hilaire The murals are located at the entrance of Shaw Park, where the Winnipeg Goldeyes play their home games. Mandy van Leeuwen’s website: https://www.mandyvanleeuwen.com Michel St. Hilaire’s website: https://www.michelsainthilaire.com “England and France Meet Winnipeg” by Michel Saint Hilaire (2003) The juxtaposition of famous English and French views like Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and l’Arc de Triomphe is a great concept. And so is the café that incorporates the real window. The bridge to the right is the Norwood Bridge, which opened here almost 20 years ago. Michel St. Hilaire’s website: https://www.michelsainthilaire.com “Back Alley Arctic Series” by Kal Barteski (2017) Located in the alley between Canora and Ethelbert Streets, this series seeks to raise awareness of climate change and Arctic animals. Most of the paintings embellish garage doors. I think Kal has painted more animals since my visit in 2017… Kal Barteski’s website: https://www.kalbarteski.com “Untitled” by Mike Valcourt and Michel Saint Hilaire (2012) A typical Middle Eastern market scene. Michel St. Hilaire’s website: https://www.michelsainthilaire.com Mike Valcourt’s website: http://staticdesigns.weebly.com/index.html “Untitled” (2007) This ceramic tile mural was installed in 2007 to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, an event taking place every June 21. “Memengwa” is a girl’s name meaning “butterfly”. “Untitled” by Annie Bergen (2004) You can see some Greek influence with the caryatids on the left. The Golden Boy (Winnipeg’s famous statue perched on the dome of the Manitoba Legislative Building) is depicted on the red building. And there are murals in the piece as well! The man and woman riding scooters are a reference to the business in the building. Annie Bergen’s website: http://artbyannie.ca “Untitled” by Chris R. Easton (1999) Different eras meet. The 1950s and 60s at the front, then the early 20th century to the side. Charlie Chaplin welcomes you at the door, while Steve McQueen invites you to watch one of his most famous movies. Look carefully at the back to see the Zeppelin, the famous rigid airship named after the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin who pioneered rigid airship development at the beginning of the 20th century. “Untitled” by Michel Saint Hilaire & Mandy van Leeuwen This mural, which is almost 10 metres tall at its highest point, celebrates the Olympic gold medal won by Team Canada (women) in curling in 2014. Two members are part of the St. Vital Curling Club — Kaitlyn Lawes and Jennifer Jones. From left to right: Kristen Wall (alternate), Dawn McEwen (lead), Jill Officer (second), Kaitlyn Lawes (third), Jennifer Jones (skip) Mandy van Leeuwen’s website: https://www.mandyvanleeuwen.com Michel St. Hilaire’s website: https://www.michelsainthilaire.com “Gold Medal” by Michel Saint Hilaire (2018) This mural celebrates the Olympic gold medal won by a long-time member of the St. Vital Curling Club — Kaitlyn Lawes (2018). Michel St. Hilaire’s website: https://www.michelsainthilaire.com “Untitled” by Tom Andrich (1999) “Untitled” by Sarah Collard (2007) The mural pays homage to the area with the transit bus, the bridal dress shop and other local stores in the background. Sarah Collard’s website: http://www.sarahcollard.ca “Chairman of the Bored” by Susan Mitchell (1987) This is one of the three “Ol Lonely” pieces featuring the lonely Maytag repairman, Jesse White. White portrayed the character in TV commercials from from 1967 to 1988. He passed away in 1997 at the age of 80. The mural was restored by Bill Chilton in 2010. “Charlie the Bike” by René Bourgouin & Steve Harnish (2014) “Future” by Charlie Johnston (2016) Charlie Johnston’s website: https://charliejohnston.ca “European Market Square” by Sarah Collard (2009) This piece is on the wall of Miller’s Super Valu, a meat market established in 1971. The red store is surrounded with people, a square, French bakery, café, store, and fruit and vegetable stands. We are...