Residents will notice a bit more color in the alleys of downtown Prince Albert.
The Mann Art Gallery spearheaded the Back Door Art Gallery with pieces from 10 different artists in cooperation with the city’s Public Art Stimulus Program and the PA Downtown Business Improvement District.
Laird Goulet was one of the artists who contributed a piece to the project. His piece is titled ‘Rhythm and Pulse’ and is on display at 10 River Street, part of the Prince Albert Historical Museum.
In an interview with the Daily Herald, Goulet says he wanted his pieces to show that people don’t have to go through issues all alone.
“The idea that came to me was health and well-being and that we don’t experience things alone. We all face challenges in life, whether it’s physical, emotional, spiritual. I wanted to create a piece that reminds people that we’re connected.” Goulet explained. “I just want to give people a moment to reflect and hope in my pieces. That no one walks alone. We’re all like the geese where we always travel together, and we need to support each other. I think that’s an important message for many communities and people that work together in this.”
The initiative for the Back Door Art Gallery will bring a lot more color to the downtown core of Prince Albert. When the chance to participate was brought up to him, Goulet says he was more than willing to hop on board.
“I found it interesting because it has to do with businesses in Prince Albert and I wanted to contribute. I noticed that there wasn’t that much art in Prince Albert to begin with either. It kind of was like the right time. I was looking to do it and I wanted to bring some little bit of a color to Prince Albert (and) bring a little bit of something that’s eye-catching and uplifting.”
Goulet’s inspiration for a lot of his work comes from his childhood growing up off the land. He split his childhood between Cumberland House and The Pas, Manitoba. He learned the ins and outs of the trapline, spotting animals from afa and preparing pelts.
“Anytime I feel down or I need to think about something, that’s where I go right away, and go to the land. That just gives me an open space, an open place to think about things and figure things out. Maybe think about my next painting too. Sometimes I get inspiration out there in nature. Maybe I’ll see some animals, like a moose or something like that, or a coyote. Even flowers are an inspiration. I just go out there and walk. Being in nature basically refreshes my mind.”
The other artists who contributed were Ace Denzel, Solene Callioux, Lex Chicoine, Thuan Vuong, JingLu, Quinn Smith-Windsor, Ms. Paiement, Kaley Svendsen, and Jennifer Brown.
