St. Andrews Artist Geoff Slater Unveils Stunning New Mural for Cruisin' with the Whales in St. Andrews, NB

Local artist Geoff Slater has once again brought his exceptional talent to the forefront, this time with a breathtaking mural for the façade of the Cruisin' with the Whales building in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. This whale-watching tour company, known for its deep connection to the Bay of Fundy, commissioned Slater to create a mural that celebrates the local wildlife and captures the spirit of their tours. The mural has transformed the building into a vibrant testament to the natural beauty of the region.

The project came about when the Wilcox family, owners of Cruisin' with the Whales, approached Slater just after Christmas. "I was approached by the Wilcox family to do a facelift on this building. So it was a mural and a sign. We threw around some ideas, and I came up with a design that was modular so I could paint it in my studio," Slater explained. This approach allowed him to work through the challenging winter months, ensuring each section of the mural was perfect before installation.

Slater's strategy was meticulous and innovative, considering the complexities of the project. "Some challenge in working like this is you really need a good plan that breaks up nicely. And the way I got around that was to keep my horizon line low. I kept sky where the seams would be. So when I joined it up, I had to add a little bit of cloud over the seams just to join that up," he noted. This clever technique ensured a seamless and cohesive final product, adding depth and continuity to the mural.

Installation of the mural took place as soon as the weather permitted. "I broke it up into four sections and installed it on the building when it was warm enough. So the last week or so I've been doing the installation and getting this mural up," Slater shared. The mural also includes a sign, designed to complement the artwork perfectly. "The sign's done separately and installed over top of the mural, and I guess doing all the lettering on the sign for me, I found challenging, but it worked really nicely to make it cohesive," Slater added.

Known as Charlotte County's muralist, Slater's work is a familiar sight in the area. From the colourful scenes in Chocolate Park, St. Stephen, to the King Street murals in St. Andrews, to one of his most recent massive undertakings on the ECW building in Blacks Harbour, his murals have become landmarks. The St. Andrews water tower mural, depicting the St. Andrews town wharf and Kingsbrae Garden, is one of the largest in Canada and a true community project. Slater has maintained and refreshed it over the years, ensuring it remains a vibrant part of the town's identity.

Reflecting on the Cruisin' with the Whales project, Slater expressed gratitude and satisfaction. "I just like to thank the Wilcox family for commissioning me to do this. It's been a lot of fun. They're fun to work with, and I think anyone would really enjoy going out with them. They're very knowledgeable people," he said.

Geoff Slater's new mural stands as a stunning tribute to the Bay of Fundy and the wildlife that thrives there, inviting locals and visitors alike to appreciate the natural wonders that Cruisin' with the Whales explores daily.