Wadena Mural Images
Inspired by a dream of local artist Rose Palechka, and brought to reality by the incredible talent of resident artists, the murals in Wadena are a must see! Located throughout the community and concentrated on Main street, the over one dozen murals feature Wadena’s cultural history, recreation activities, farming practices, and area wildlife. A free walking tour brochure features many of their works around the downtown area. Their donation of hundreds of hours of painting has been a wonderful addition to our community!
Mural 1: A Prairie Landscape
These murals feature natural scenes and wildlife common to the Quill Lakes area. They also represent DU’s vision for the prairie landscape, one that includes a healthy environment and a prosperous agricultural community. The pond and waterfall were created by Rose Palechka in memory of her husband.
Sponsor: Ducks Unlimited Canada
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Rose Palechka
Mural 2: The Cattle Drive
The final frame in this mural depicts an actual cattle drive through Wadena in the early 1900′s. The Wadena Creamery appears in the background as the drive proceeds along Wadena Creek and cattle begin to cross the CNR tracks just east o where 4th Street is now located. The riders in this mural could have been the Milligan’s who, like other ranchers, moved their cattle north to summer pastures and brought them back in early fall.
Sponsor: Wadena News
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Betty McPherson, Rose Palechka
Mural 3: The Old General Store
A quiet nook to sit, relax and catch up on the gossip of the day. Why not take a browse through the general store. Remember when fresh milk and dairy products came to our front door?
Sponsor: CIBC, Wadena Credit Union, and Royal Bank
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Betty McPherson, Rose Palechka,
Brenda Holte, Sharon Nedjelski
Mural 4: The Harvest
A beautiful day, harvest is underway and the garden produce is ready to be brought in. but for the young, it’sa great day to enjoy the sun.
Sponsor: Main Street Meats
By: Lenora Hordos, Rose Palechka, Brenda Holte, Tammy Mickle, Sharleen Haarsted
Mural 5: Prairie Wheat
Mornings come early for farmers and the baker who both provide our daiy bread.
Sponsor: Wadena Bakery
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Rose Palechka
Mural 6: The Wetlands
This depiction of our wetlands reflects the diversity of waterfowl in the area. Among the birds portrayed is the rare and endangered Piping plover which nests in the Quill Lakes.
Sponsor: Wadena Drugs and Ducks Unlimited
By: Wendy Gauthier, Betty McPherson
Mural 7: A Prairie Moment
This mural was sponsored by outdoorsmen who requested that the artists portray wildlife scenes. Over 50 species of flora and fauna from the area are included in the 1296 square feet of wall space. The mural depicts a variety of subjects ranging from marshlands to bush areas, birds to bears, and moose to mushrooms. Children enjoy naming the animals and locating those that are particularly hard to find. Can you spot the frog, salamander, woodpecker, squirrel and grosbeaks?
Sponsor: Wadena Building Supplies
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Betty McPherson, Rose Palechka, Brenda Holte
Mural 8: Railway Crew
Early mornings and long days work ahead, these pioneers of the area (Tait, Tolen, Jensen and Gilmour are family names of some of Wadena’s earliest settlers), were responsible for helping build the CN Line here in 2003 and the maintenance afterwards. The railway line provided a vital link to the rest of the community.
Sponsors: Don Tait Accounting & Tait Family
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Rose Palechka
Mural 9: Shorebirds –Festival of the Wetlands
This mural on the south side of the Suds & Sew is the work of Wadena Elementary school students under direction of Artist in Residence Kevin Quinlan.
By: Wadena Elementary School students an Artist-in-Residence Kevin Quinlan
Mural 10: Fashion Parade
Stroll through the seasons with our glamorous ladies in their array of fashions and hairdos from decades past. Pamela Wallin is part owner in this business.
Sponsor: Special Effects Spa, Leone Wallin and Marilyn McGunigal
By: Wendy Gauthier, Betty McPherson, Leone Wallin
Mural 11: Saskatchewan Sunset
Here the artists have depicted a few of the changes our family community has undergone over the last few decades: from elevators to terminals, wheat to canola, and square bales to round ones. Yet in some ways time stands still, as sunsets and birds continue to brightly decorate our skies.
Sponsor: Zawislak Law Office
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Betty McPherson, Rose Palechka
Mural 12: In Remembrance
This collage mural is dedicated to the men and women who have fought to preserve our ways of life, which we are so thankful for today.
Sponsor: Canadian Legion, Wadena Branch #63
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Betty McPherson, Rose Palechka
Mural 13: The Old Farm (inside Waneeda Park Lodge)
Painted for the residence of Waneeda Park Lodge, the artists recreated memories of farmstead past. The quilts hanging out on the clothes line are actual patterns taken from quilts belonging to one of the residents.
Sponsor: Waneeda Park Lodge
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Rose Palechka, Brenda Holte
Mural 14: Inglenook (inside Pleasant View Care home)
To camouflage the fire escape door, artists painted the wall and door featuring a fireplace with books and pictures on shelves. You have to look very closely to actually see the door!
Sponsor: Pleasant View Care Home
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Betty McPherson, Rose Palechka
Mural 15: School Days (inside Pleasant View Care Home)
Most of our pioneers attended one of these single-room country schools. Many stories have been told of mischief on the way home, of long walks or a stubborn pony, of Christmas concerts and tasting fresh Saskatoon berries along the way.
Sponsor: The family of Hillive Fisher in her memory.
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Betty McPherson, Rose Palechka, Ken Kerluke
Mural 16: Great Spirit
Designed and sketches by Floyd Young, these panels depict the spirituality of our native culture.
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos
Mural 17: The Barley Field
A farm family stands in a field of barley checking its progress.
Sponsor: Saskatchewan Liquor Board Wadena
By: Wendy Gauthier, Lenora Hordos, Betty McPherson, Rose Palechka
Mural 18: Victorian garden
This garden welcomes you to the Blue Willow Inn. an arbor frames a view that beckons you into this private green retreat.
Sponsor: Blue Willow Inn
By: Rose Palechka, Betty McPherson
Mural 19: Saskatchewan Prairie
Located at the Wadena Nature Center, this mural is part of the nature center.
Sponsor: Wadena District Museum
By: Rose Palechka, in memory of her parents
Mural 20: Gingerbread House
Located in Rollins Park. Dripping with sweetness and loads of artistic details the Rollins’ Park gingerbread house is certainly worth a second look. Be sure to see if you can tel whether the windows are actually windows or simply the result of talented artists’ brushes.
By: Betty McPherson, Rose Palechka
Mural 21: Gingerbread House
Located next to the Wadena Seniors’ Drop-in Center. One gingerbread house wasn’t enough for wadena so a small storage shed was transformed into another artistic delight that simply blooms with happiness and fairly tale endings.
By: Rose Palechka, Betty McPherson
Mural 22: A Quiet Corner
Located at Pleasant View Care Home gardens. A floral tribute to avid gardeners who strive to beautify their yards and communities. Perhaps it brings a sense of tranquility and a smile to seniors who reside there.