Spotlight on Canadian Tire & Artist Vessela Brakalova

Karine St. Pierre (L) of Canadian Tire with Vessela Brakalova at the unveiling of Brakalova's piece at the Canadian Tire store in Grand Falls-Windsor.

When the business and arts communities work together, it’s a win-win all around. That’s what Canadian Tire and visual artist Vessela Brakalova have shown through their recent creative collaboration.

When the owners of the Canadian Tire store in Grand Falls-Windsor wanted to beautify their new space, they knew exactly where to turn - the local arts community. They decided to commission Brakalova (co-founder of the design studio Vis-à-Vis Graphics, with Veselina Tomova) to create a one-of-a-kind piece for their main foyer after seeing her eye-popping work at the new Departures Lounge at St. John’s International Airport.

Featuring salmon leaping from the water, an excited group of adventurers white water rafting along the Exploits River, a majestic moose looking over the landscape and iconic landmarks like the Bishop’s Falls trestle, the piece pays homage to the natural beauty of the area, while giving shoppers a bright and beautiful welcome as they enter the store’s main doors. It also gives visitors to the area a sense of place and a colourful introduction to its history, heritage and culture.

The piece was created in Brakalova’s signature digital mosaic style, with small, colourful dots joining together to create the bigger picture. It pops in hues of blue, green and pink and mirrors the palette that can be seen in the natural environment.

The project is yet another business and arts success story and an example of how both communities can collaborate for mutual benefit. In addition to the Grand Falls-Windsor Canadian Tire and St. John’s International Airport, you can also see Brakalova’s work at Orthodontic Associates on Hebron Way in St. John’s.

Congratulations, Vessela, on another fantastic commission!