One Of A Kind Reflections Project Created By Manitou Artists

It's been a long two years for a group of artists at Manitou Beach, but the wait is finally over.

On Friday, June 5 the Manitou Reflections Project was finally installed on the south shore of the lake at Uhmam Family Centennial Park to celebrate the Centennial of Manitou Beach. The project was carried out by Darrel Baschak, Michael Gaudet, and the now late Robert Thibault.

"What a relief to finally get it up. We were supposed to get it up last fall, but the weather turned against us with an early onset of winter," said Micheal Gaudet.

Back in April of 2018, Gaudet's wife saw a bulletin that described a public art installation competition with partial funding from Heritage Canada. When Gaudet's wife found it, she turned it over to the well-established mural painter in western Canada with only two weeks till the deadline.

"Usually, you like to take more time to get in the mindset for a project of that magnitude. However, I thought to myself it was a case of do or die so I called an emergency meeting," said Gaudet.

That's when Gaudet called up Darrel Baschak and Robert Thibault. Baschuk bought a number of skills to the table including landscape designing and was he an artist. Then Robert Thibault was able to help put the project together as a welding manufacturer. Unfortunately, Thibault passed away before the installation due to a battle with cancer.

"The resolution of the plasma cutter was so good we were able to have our three names inscribed on the bottom of the mural, so Robert really left his mark on the world with this project," stated Gaudet.

The project itself is 12 by 16 feet and weighs an astounding 2000 pounds. The concept is to reflect the ambient surroundings of the sky, landscape, and activity on the stainless steel surface while creating a powerful overlay of the iconic north side of the lake.

The observer will note that the “horizon” of the north side of Little Manitou Lake lines up with the image of the installation. So, the installation integrates itself into the actual landscape in a very compelling and aesthetically pleasing manner.

"This is a whole different visual experience because every time you go there, you'll see something different. So it's really kinetic and dynamic. Never seen anything like it, to tell the truth."

At a cost of $50,000, 50 percent of the cost was funded by Heritage Canada. The other 50 percent of the funds were fundraised through the community. Plans for the future include the mural to be used as a backdrop for musical performances and other productions in the Manitou Beach area.

Tourists, residents, and visitors will now have another great view of Manitou Beach's north shore with the creation of this amazing piece of artwork.