Samples of the creations  of Greg Gislason, artist chosen to create a special mural at YXS –images submitted

Prince George, B.C. – When people arrive at the Prince George Airport for the Canada winter Games,  they  will be greeted by a special mural.  The artist who will create that mural has been chosen.

He is Gregory Michael Gislason.  He is a graduate of BCIT’s Advanced Airbrushing  course and he has  created numerous pieces in the Vancouver area, including the floor of the Vancouver Aquarium, and the IntraWest Hotel in Whistler.

He has lived in Prince George for the past two years, and his entry for the Spirit of the Games mural project  features well known landmarks and icons of Prince George.  The entry isn’t  available for public  viewing  yet, as  the final product won’t  be shown until it has been completed on the  exterior of the arrivals  wall of the Prince George airport.

“The Canada Games is as much about arts and culture as sport. This project is one of the many opportunities available to northern BC artists as a result of the 2015 Canada Winter Games. It will welcome the thousands of visitors to our region for the 2015 Games, remaining as a legacy in the community for the millions of visitors who visit after the 2015 Games,” says Stuart Ballantyne, 2015 Canada Winter Games CEO.

Gislason’s creation is the result of hours of research with the Lheidli T’enneh and local historians.

"Greg's piece tells the northern story” says Prince George Airport CEO John Gibson “It encompasses who we are, past, present and future. We look forward to sharing it with the world when they land at YXS."

Gislason’s proposal was one of several  submitted to a selection committee made up of representatives from the 2015 Games, Prince George & District Community Arts Council and Prince George Airport Authority. The mural will be unveiled in September.