Thessalon mural tells the history of the community

Mural offers a visual history of Thessalon A visual history of the Town of Thessalon has taken shape at the municipal office in the form of a mural created by a Sudbury artist.

A visual history of the Town of Thessalon is taking shape, thanks to a mural being painted on the municipal officer created by a Sudbury artist Monique Legault.

Legault is creating a mural on what some would call a former eyesore of a brick wall.

"The more she does, the more it comes to life, and makes it beautiful," said John Jackson, a Thessalon resident for 83 years.

Features of the mural include the town's iconic Red Bridge, built in 1888, popular watersports and a nod to the industry that brought people to Thessalon.

"The archival photo they found for me was from 1941 so you'll notice that it's not men doing the logging, it's women because the men were gone to war," said Legault, who has painted more than 100 murals in northern Ontario.

"It kind of brings in a time and place, I guess. It's not just the history of Thessalon -- it's world history, if that makes sense."

"We have the fishermen here now, and the kayakers, and that's becoming a bigger part of the town these days … We're trying to invite tourists in to do the kayaking on the river or the big lake," said Mayor Bill Rosenberg.

As for "the fishing aspects, the town had a lot of commercial fishermen at one time."

The town has spent $13,000 to create the mural, and two others, each in areas frequented by locals and tourists alike.

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"I think it shows a commitment to community improvement," said Lindsay Macfarlane of the Town of Thessalon.

"And just to show that we're constantly wanting to evolve and attract people -- and encourage our residents to love it here."

Legault said a handful of residents have stopped by and helped her paint the mural, with even more pulling over to chat or watch her work.

Town officials hope that the new works of art will inspire others to pick up a brush, or just embrace their artistic side.