Moose mural looms large in Williams Lake

A new mural aimed at promoting protection of cow moose and calves in B.C. has a large presence in Williams Lake’s downtown.

The wish of Dan and Vivian Simmons, creators of the Cow Moose Sign Project, the mural was completed in less than six weeks and funded almost entirely by donations.

Measuring 22 by 55 feet, the mural was created by Dwayne Davis and Steven Davis-Gosling of Davis Arts, and completely covers the east wall of the former Ridley building building.

Williams Lake Sportsmen’s Association president Kane Fraser came up with the idea for the mural and also donated money towards the project. He and his brother own Specter Automotive which rents five bays in the building.

“It popped into my mind that the wall would be a great spot for a cow moose mural because it’s newly freshly painted and it’s huge,” Fraser said.

Praising the artists for their work, Dan thanked them for creating “such a majestic mural” and showcasing the legacy of the cow and calf moose and how important they are to a healthy future moose population.

Fundraising for the $18,500 mural was a community effort. “We have $1,600 to go,” Dan said as he accepted cheques from the West Fraser Truckers Association, Williams Lake and District Credit Union and the City of Williams Lake, which donated $5,000 toward the project from the City’s mural fund.

Other donations came from Sprucelee Construction Ltd., Hoezler Construction, Scott Nelson and his son Lucas Nelson, plus people who dropped off donations when the Simmons held a protest against the LEH cow and calf moose hunt. A GoFundMe for the mural raised another $300.

View the mural in Williams Lake at Oliver Street and Seventh Avenue South.

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