MELFORT —The City of Melfort is in discussions to move the location of the mural that was going to be installed at the Historic Post Office.
“We’re looking at displaying it at in a more prominent position where it would be seen by more people and appreciated by more people,” said Rick Lang, Melfort’s mayor.
Lang said this is due to the Preservation and Rehabilitation Committee’s examination of the mural.
“They thought it was probably a great addition to the city, but not well suited to the old post office because they felt it wouldn’t get the proper viewing in there.”
The mural is designed to fit the theme of “community” and features multiple artist works. Earlier this year, community members of all ages were invited to paint a tile with the theme to be added to the finished mural.
One tile was painted to look like the Melfort water tower, and another had a bee painted onto it.
The mural was originally made to serve as a public recognition donor wall for people and businesses who donated to the Historic Post Office. The original design had the donor names engraved onto mailboxes that fit into the art piece.
“They felt that the size of the art piece might take away from that, first of all, from the actual recognition factor from the mailboxes that would be left with the engraving on them. They thought it might actually overwhelm the donor factor, so not the best use,” Lang said.
One of the new potential locations that have been discussed is the south end of Main Street, with the city’s staff developing alternatives for donor recognition.
Lang said the future location will be more suitable for the artwork and will highlight the donors.
“[It will] make that more apparent and make the idea that they donated to the old post office something that is more appealing and an important feeling for them, because we want to recognize the donors in a suitable way and not overshadow it.”
The decision of the location will be delayed until the 2020 budget is discussed, which is expected to take place between mid-December and early January.
If an outdoor location is decided, the piece will need to be weather coated and won’t be installed until late spring.
