In honour of their 75th anniversary, Hope’s Royal Canadian Legion (Legion Hall) has commissioned a stunning new mural for their building — one which both celebrates and honours the contributions of those who serve in uniform.
“It was an honour to be able to commemorate the people who served and are serving in the military. And who were sacrificing their lives for the betterment of future generations, ” said Dominic Laporte, who designed the mural and is one of the co-founders of DRIFT Mural Co.
“It’s been really an honor just to meet members of the Legion, and get those words of encouragement, and hearing people talking about their parents and grandparents who served, and how honored they are to have a (mural) like this.”
Overlooking Fort Street, the impressive work of art showcases various themes and concepts associated with men and women who serve — such as poppies, doves, the Canadian Flag, Flanders Field, cenotaphs, and the unknown soldier. For this piece, Laporte said he wanted the mural to be less mournful in nature, instead being a reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations.
The mural was commissioned in honour of the Legion’s 75th anniversary, which took place in June (though an official anniversary event hasn’t taken place yet). Founded in 1948, the Legion has been a staple of Hope in both providing a place for veterans and contributing to the community. This includes contributing to and providing fundraising opportunities, being part of community events and festivities, and even offering scholarships to Hope’s youth.
According to Laporte, the opportunity to create the mural earlier in the year after the Legion was provided with three artists to choose from. After careful consideration, the Legion chose Laporte to give life to the voice, and respect, that they carry for the sacrifices done by previous generations and by those who still continue to serve.
Amber Price, who is one of the co-founders of the Chilliwack Mural Festival, helped to facilitate the mural through providing the three artists, for the Legion to choose, and coordinating with Laporte after he was chosen.
Currently based in Ottawa, Drift was founded by Laporte and his partner Anaϊs Labrèque in 2014. Laporte is a muralist and illustrator, while Labreque handles the financial aspects of the business (and also provides input on designs, as well as helping with painting when needed). Together, the duo have created more than 80 murals both within and outside Canada. This includes the murals they’ve painted in Romania, USA, and Mexico.
Laporte’s work combines traditional painting and mixed-media techniques. Over the past decade, he’s developed a distinct style for his murals that, according to the DRIFT website, has “become a familiar feature of Ottawa’s urban environment.” His inspirations have always come from his direct surroundings which provides a relatability and familiarity that his audiences can easily connect with. As such, he’s been commissioned for large-scale murals by Canada’s Museum of Science & Technology, Live Nation Canada, Street Art Toronto, The Toronto Raptors, Bank of Montreal, Adidas, The Canadian Medical Association, the City of Ottawa Light Rail Transit, and the Nelson International Mural Festival (to name a few).
In addition to being a mural artist, Laporte is also a traditionally trained illustrator with a degree from Sheridan College.
His partner, Labrèque, has been consulting and collaborating on mural projects behind the scenes over the past decade. Her history of battling cancer in her twenties eventually led her to the art world, in order to connect with people and focus on the beauty of life. Her background is quite diverse, with a range of talents (such as studying photography, working in a travel agency, and being a sommelier) that has allowed her to bring new and innovative perspective to DRIFT and the murals.
The Legion mural is the last of the duo’s current mural/commission “tour,” with plans to head back to Ottawa for rest before heading to Bracebridge, Ontario for their next project.
To commemorate the Legion’s 75th anniversary and the arrival of the mural, the Hope Legion is also inviting the community to their open house on Sept. 17 at the Legion Hall.
READ MORE: Large Remembrance Day turnout a welcome sight for Hope Legion
@KemoneMoodley
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