painting together inspires inclusion

The Rosthern “Paints Together: the Circle Project” exemplifies how creative initiatives can unite people, enhance local pride, and breathe new life into communities. When a community paints together, it grows together.

The “Circle Project” brought together locals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, creating a series of murals that celebrate inclusion, creativity, and community spirit. This unique initiative also brought together a community partnership that included the Station Arts Centre, Affinity Credit Union, Valley Action Abilities and the Town of Rosthern.

It was one of the events held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Valley Action Abilities — a local nonprofit supporting adults with intellectual disabilities through various community programs. “This wasn’t just about celebrating our 50th anniversary. It was about creating meaningful connections,” says Cameron Nicolle, executive director, Valley Action Abilities. “We wanted to do something that would bring people together.”

On May 31, the Town of Rosthern was filled with smiles and laughter, as its town centre transformed into a colourful and vibrant art hub. Over 300 people, including schoolchildren, adults with disabilities, and members of the broader community, gathered to participate in circle painting— culminating in the creation of 12 large wood-panel murals.

During the brainstorming stages, Nicolle had reached out to Nicole Thiessen for help. Thiessen, director of programming, Station Arts Centre, suggested the Circle Project — an idea inspired by various circle painting and collaborative art projects happening around the world. “The beautiful thing about circle painting is that it’s something everyone can do,” she says. “It’s about inclusion, it’s an opportunity for different generations and abilities to connect and create something beautiful together.”

Local businesses, proud of their town’s artistic flair, have embraced the murals, displaying them on their buildings and committing to keeping local artwork alive. Each mural features a QR code that links to more information about its creation, inviting residents and visitors alike to engage with the stories behind the art. The murals, now displayed around town, will remain for the next two years, serving as a lasting reminder of the collective effort.

According to Nicolle, “The permanency of this project is particularly meaningful. Every day, our community members can see the work they contributed to, which sparks conversations and allows them to relive the experience.”

For Thiessen, the most rewarding aspect of the project was witnessing the connections formed between participants. “It’s those moments that build community in a very real way,” she says.

The Town of Rosthern and the Station Arts Centre received support from SaskCulture’s Community Cultural Engagement and Planning (CCEP) Grant funded by Sask Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation.