New mural by Métis artist unveiled in downtown Winnipeg

A giant mural has been unveiled on the outside of the RBC Convention Centre.

If you’ve driven through downtown Winnipeg recently, you may have done a double take when passing by the RBC Convention Centre; a new mural has been painted on the outside of the building.

The large-scale piece spans almost an entire block and was created by Métis tattoo artist Justine Proulx. Proulx said she started making murals during the pandemic as a fun project and never stopped.

“I’d probably do one to two murals a month for the last five years,” she said. “But I never dreamed that I’d be doing one this big on such a prominent building.”

The design is centred around the number four, which Proulx said is a sacred number in Indigenous teachings.

“For a very long time, I’ve wanted to create a project that is centred around the number four,” Proulx said. “So when I saw there were four perfect walls, I was like, ‘Yes! This is exactly what I want to do.’”

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ said the mural is the organization’s largest to-date. It’s part of the BIZ’s ongoing public arts initiatives and its commitment to honour and celebrate Indigenous culture.

“Public art like this mural plays an important role in that process,” said the BIZ’s CEO Kate Fenske. “ It sparks meaningful conversations and lessons, while also making our downtown a more vibrant and inclusive and welcoming neighbourhood.”

Visitors can check out the mural along the convention centre’s north wall on St. Mary Avenue.