This one's my favourite... The iconic STAG, a Swift Current landmark on the side of the oldest active vaudeville theatre in Saskatchewan, active until Covid hit that is. This mural reflects our past and decorates our present with a quality money can't buy.
The colours on the brick wall have softened with the passing of many decades, and the three different images, layered like archeological artifacts are getting harder to see. It's a trick for your eyes to separate the advertisements... first you see the white arched letters that spell STAG, then you can re-focus to see the faded red block letters with black shadows that spell OLD CHUM, another brand of chewing tobacco. A third layer, maybe earlier or maybe later, is the familiar white script of Coca Cola, faintly visible behind the stag's head.
I love the three superimposed ads done in different eras, the old ones coming to the surface and becoming visible. It's a beautiful and complex visual record of the passing of time, getting lighter every year until it will eventually become a faint ghost mural.
Have a look before it's gone the next time you drive up Central Avenue or head west on Chaplin Street.
Since 2008 I've been selling framed artworks of the Lyric Stag as an on-going fundraiser project for our Lyric Theatre. The photo-design was created by my son Luke. The professional matting and framing is done at cost by Ron Phaneuf of Prestige Framing, whose father Vic Phaneuf was projectionist and then manager of the movie theatre for thirty years until it closed in the mid-70's.
We have sold just over 100 framed pictures over the years, with all proceeds supporting community performing arts at the Lyric, to date a donation in the amount of $6,416.
We still have some printed images and Ron is willing to do his impeccable framing magic, so please contact me if you're interested in purchasing a piece of Swift Current history.
Large - 11" x 19" $120 Small - 6" x 10" $60 (sizes include the off-white mat and black frame)
jeancyca@gmail.com
