2-phase art installation coming to Central Cariboo Arts Centre in Williams Lake

Project anticipated to be fully complete by next summer

2-phase art installation coming to Central Cariboo Arts Centre in Williams Lake Published 4:25 pm Friday, July 17, 2026 An abstract mountain landscape mural evoking the Cariboo sky at dawn and dusk will be painted onto the exterior facade of the Central Cariboo Arts Centre in Williams Lake. It’s part of a two-phase public art project, “Cariboo Confluence: A Celebration of Place,” at the city-owned facility managed by the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society (CCACS).

On Tuesday, July 14, the installation was unanimously endorsed by council. “I’m really looking forward to it,” Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said, thanking the CCACS and executive director Melissa Normandin for their work. “It’s going to look beautiful and I’m all for it.”

Phase 1, “The Sky That Dreams With Us,” which is hoped to be completed in September, will include a large exterior mural depicting an abstract painted mountain landscape. Additionally there will be acrylic or metal signage identifying the Central Cariboo Arts Centre on the Borland Street side of the building, where no current signage is displayed. Phase 2, “The Land That Holds Us All,” will include a backlit metal topographic panel installation placed onto the mural featuring intricate laser-cut topographic line patterns derived from an aerial perspective of the central Cariboo.

”I think it looks gorgeous,” Coun. Joan Flaspohler said. “It looks really, really beautiful and all the literature behind it – what a great idea

and I think it’s going to look so good on that building.” Phase 2 is anticipated to be installed next summer followed with a community celebration. Normandin said they had been working for a number of years trying to find a design or concept that would complement the blank exterior facade space that had resulted following the removal of a garden and vines, after which safety improvements including additional lighting and a repoured sidewalk were made.

“The CCACS board and staff are excited to move forward on this project and we’re so grateful for the support of the City of Williams Lake being this is their facility and building, and how encouraging they’ve been and how supportive they are of arts and culture in the community,” Normandin added.