Artist: Dwayne Davis, 2013
Funded by: A Downtown Williams Lake BIA Initiative in partnership with Davis Arts. Project made possible with contributions from Williams Lake and District Credit Union, Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, Cariboo Regional District and City of Williams Lake.
About:
In 2013 Williams Lake was coming out of a depression and Dwayne felt inspired to paint the 1920’s era, a time that felt care-free and playful. He chose to paint a speakeasy scene because he noticed there were three windows on the wall, and that made him think of the three entertainment venues in Williams Lake that burned down: The Maple Leaf Hotel (1920-1977) at 1st and Oliver, the Ranch Motel (1919-1921) at Oliver Street and Mackenzie and the Lakeview Hotel (fire 2005) at Oliver and Yorston. The other half of the mural depicts a bakery, which Dwayne chose as a tip-of-the-hat to the building’s current occupant, Taylor Made Cakes. A speakeasy and bakery from the roaring 20’s era. Find Charlie Chaplin enjoying a moment out of the spotlight.
Artistic Notes:
Dwayne’s mural uses a forced perspective to create the illusion that one could walk into the mural. The original plan was for the business there to set up a patio, table and chairs, which would have added depth to the trompe d’oeil effect. Downtown Williams Lake BIA Summer student, Abbigayle Taylor, worked with Dwayne on this mural. Abbigayle is the daughter of the couple that own and run the bakery Taylor Made Cakes, the business directly beside the mural.
