If you’ve spent time wandering downtown Moose Jaw, you’ve likely seen the city’s murals — each one capturing a moment in time, our community, and our history. We’ve seen the art, but Grant McLaughlin is the man who helped bring those scenes to life.
A lifelong artist and mural contributor, McLaughlin has been a mainstay in Moose Jaw’s mural scene since the very beginning.
“Well, I was doing murals with students before we got an official mural program,” recalled McLaughlin.
“We did a number at the school with backgrounds for plays and community groups (including the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council) that wanted a backdrop for their summer festival down in Happy Valley.”
Those early projects became the framework for what would become a formal mural initiative. McLaughlin was a member of that original committee, alongside several fellow artists.
“They wanted artists that knew a fair amount about painting, and they asked people like Gus Froese, myself, and Dale Klein to be part of it,” he explained.
It may not have been McLaughlin who painted the very first mural, but he was closely involved with the city’s initial efforts. The Royal Hotel was the first to be graced with a mural, painted by artist Dan Sawatzky known for his murals in Chemainus, BC.
“It was a big deal,” McLaughlin said.
“We were one of the first ones in the province to sort of look at murals as not just a tourist attraction, but something to add to the city.”
McLaughlin would begin contributing his own pieces shortly after leaving the mural committee, however his first installation was a sculptural piece titled Hopes and Dreams, located behind City Hall.
“I said, well, look, I’ll donate my time, and I’ll do a sculptural one if you want something besides just painted ones,” he recalled.
McLaughlin has completed numerous murals and restoration projects over the years, and while he said it is difficult to pick favourites, several do stand out.
“I think at the time when you do them you hope the next one you do, or the one you're working on is your favorite or your best... maybe you like the subject or you like the size or in my case — because I'm a sculptor as well as a painter — the ones where I could combine some sculpture with painting,” he explained.
“But I think the tribute to the fire department is one I like the most, because of the subject and the colours.”
He added that two other pieces, one detailing the history of the exhibition association as well as another titled Riding for the Brand come to mind.
“They’re all a little bit bigger, and they’re ones that I like — not that I like any others less — but those are the ones I like to go back and look at,” said McLaughlin.
Outside of painting, McLaughlin is also a sculptor. He is known for numerous large-scale pieces across Saskatchewan — including many years of work maintaining Moose Jaw’s own Mac the Moose.
However, after decades of involvement in the mural program, McLaughlin made the decision to step back.
“I thought, well, it's time to get some other people working in there doing it,” he said.
“Because I do big sculptures... your body starts getting a little bit worn down. It’s a little harder.”
Local artists like Carly J have already started to take up the mantle, and McLaughlin is pleased that new talent is continuing the work and freeing him up to work on personal projects.
“It's not that I can't do it, but it's harder to do it... just your wrists and your hands and your knees,” he said.
“There’s other things I’d kind of like to work on too.”
That means feeding his passion for sculptures, including finishing up an ongoing collaboration with the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery and the Northwest Community Association.
“I did the turtle sculpture down Wakamow, and I've done some big fiberglass sculptures in other places and a few smaller ones in concrete,” he said.
“I like to diversify a little bit more. I don't want to focus too much attention just on restoration. I'd rather work on some of my own stuff, whether it's in conjunction with other groups or it's things that I want to do on my own.”
While he may not be painting as many murals these days, McLaughlin still keeps an eye on the program and supports its future.
“They do have a lifespan, and they can’t be left without some type of work being done,” he said.
“I follow a lot of places to see what others do... and help direct the people that in charge of what they’re doing with the murals.”
As Moose Jaw’s mural landscape evolves, McLaughlin’s legacy will be felt for years to come. With new projects on the horizon and decades of experience behind him, his work will continue to shape the city’s identity, one brushstroke — or sculpture — at a time.