In 2014 I had the good fortune to spend a day in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, before heading off to the smaller northern Arctic community of Cape Dorset. In my walk around Iqaluit's city centre, art was everywhere. The mural at Qikiqtani General Hospital is a joyous, colourful celebration of the north created under the theme of "Come Together". Created by Iqaluit artist Jonathan Cruz, his NuSchool Design Agency team, guest artists and community members.
Mural at Qikiqtani General Hospital. Iqaluit. Photo: ©Christine Montague
Detail. Mural. Qikiqtani General Hospital. Iqaluit. Photo: ©Christine Montague
Artist Jonathan Cruz created the beautiful tribute to mothers and children above, inspired by Sula Enuaraq and her two young daughters. Jonathan, has Greater Toronto Area roots including studies at Sheridan College. Learn more about this artist designer , illustrator, youth mentor and entrepreneur here.
Whale Detail. Mural Qikiqtani General Hospital. Photo: Christine Montague
Jonathan Cruz, Alexa Hatanaka, and Patrick Thompsoncollaborated to create the Bowhead whale mural above.
For Smiling Faces (above), Gene Pendon of Montreal was the guest artist. The community laid down the layers of base colours. Artist, designer and NuSchool employee, Patrick Beland, coordinated the youth who worked on the mural, and taught them safety guidelines for spray paint.
To read more about the Smiling Faces phase of the mural please read here
Kamatik (sled). Mural. Qikiqtani General Hospital. Photo: ©Christine Montague
Polar Bear. Mural. Qikiqtani general Hospital. Photo: ©Christine Montague