The town of Squamish, B.C., will soon come to life with colourful, symbolic representations of familiar fauna, depicted in new street banners from local artist Ciarra Saylor. Photo courtesy District of Squamish
The town of Squamish, B.C., will soon come to life with colourful, symbolic representations of familiar fauna, depicted in new street banners from local artist Ciarra Saylor.
The banners were selected as part of the Street Banner Project, spearheaded by Squamish Arts and the district of Squamish. With the goal of spotlighting the work of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and Squamish-based artists, the initiative is designed to capture the uniqueness of the town and its surrounding community and provide and develop a visually rich environment which promotes livability and artistic vitality.
“I have a great love for nature, animals, and the spirit realm, and a great respect for nature and community,” says Saylor. “My style is steeped in realism and led by my intuition. Each animal and colourway pairing was chosen specifically to represent an aspect of the beautiful town of Squamish.”
The otter and the dog
“The otter represents joyful, playfulness, and sharing,” says Saylor. “With our bustling waterways, the otter is a fabulous animal to enjoy the oceans and rivers in Squamish. The otter is paired with the blues of the sky and the reflection on the ocean.”
“The otter is paired with the dog, who represents faithfulness and protection. Our town is full of wonderful pets who enjoy our beautiful trails. The brownish colourway was chosen as an ode to the grounded connection dogs have as their four paws touch the earth, and how they ground the people around them.”
The eagle and the momma bear
“The eagle brings illumination of spirit, healing, and creation to the community,” she adds. “These majestic birds soar over our heads, inviting us to pause and enjoy their magical energy. Yellow brings connection to the sun and the eagle’s strengths.”
“The eagle is paired with the momma bear, who embodies the power of awakening the unconscious. She and her cub have been laid upon a salmon colour to connect them to the fish upon which they thrive in Squamish.”
The banners are slated for installation in the spring. They will hang on light poles in commercial areas in downtown Squamish, as well as Garibaldi Estates, and at Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
