A massive mural will be making an appearance on the Main Street side of the Dauphin Public Library this summer.
Local Artist Patrick Paul presented his work for this project earlier this week, and the final result is both massive and magnificent.
The design, done in the Woodland art style will span a total of five aluminum canvases, each measuring four-by-eight feet. Paul says it will feature a combination of rich Indigenous culture and a diverse representation of local fish, fowl, and more.
"There's local species, the turtle, and even the fur-trading animals. It's a very big part of Dauphin's history. It took 285 years for Ojibwe art to thrive in this town. I've been working at it for 2 years, and I can proudly say that Ojibwe art is thriving in Dauphin now."
Paul's journey into the arts is a relatively new one, but he says it was a crucial step in finding his spirituality and a healthier path in life.
"When I first started, I didn't know why I picked up the pencil, crayon, and some paper. but two years into doing my art, I've finally realized that I needed deep spiritual healing. It seems to be for a great reason because time after time it's proving to me that I'm making a change with my art, with my own life, and for my community most importantly."
The final prints are tentatively scheduled to arrive in June, but depending on the print shop's schedule, could be later in the summer.
The library also announced its next step, which is to raise funds for a lighting system, so this local artist's work can shine brightly any time of day, at any time of the year.
