Bringing new life to aging, historical buildings can often be done with a few simple coats of paint. So when staff at the Henday Association for Lifelong Learning in Innisfail, Alta., saw an opportunity to do so with their beloved local theatre, they went one step further.

Built in 1928, the Century Theatre’s exterior wall was really starting to show its age. Thanks to some hard work from local residents, the wall now adorns a beautiful mural of a bald eagle along with other symbols of Indigenous culture. The project came together in partnership with the Henday Association, Innisfail Co-op’s Communities in Full Colour program and the local artist who brought the mural to life, Ryan Willert.

According to Donna Arnold with the Henday Association, the artwork serves a myriad of benefits to the community.

“The mural is a powerful educational tool, raising awareness about Indigenous history, issues and contributions,” Arnold explains. “It sparks conversations about Indigenous rights, environmental stewardship and other topics, helping to educate the community members and promote understanding and empathy.”

Arnold adds, “Murals beautify public spaces, as this one does, transforming the drab theatre wall into a work of art. It instills a sense of pride and ownership among Innisfail residents, being a beloved landmark drawing visitors and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the area.”

For the theatre’s mural to be realized, paint would of course be required. Having close ties to Innisfail Co-op, the Henday Association reached out to get support from the Communities in Full Colour program. In turn, Innisfail Co-op donated 42 gallons of paint towards the project.

Nick Heaton, Home Centre manager for Central Alberta Co-op, says the theatre’s restoration project fit perfectly with Co-op’s value pillars.

“Our brand values are ‘Integrity, Responsibility and Community,’” he explains. “We are very proud of the commitment we have to our members and communities. The mural came about from a local idea, organized by a local community group and was painted by a local artist. As with all Co-ops, our roots are embedded in the communities we serve and being local is significant to us.”

The Henday Association’s mission is to address education, training and learning gaps in the communities and area within Red Deer County, as well as provide opportunities and support to individuals needing assistance with these challenges. In the near future, Henday Association staff intend to have the other side of the theatre revitalized with a buffalo mural.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Co-op for generously providing the paint needed to bring this mural to life. Their contribution proves once again their invaluable role within our community,” Arnold says.

If you know of a local project in your community that could benefit from the Communities in Full Colour program, please apply now.