New mural at the SCRL branch in Altona inspires wonder and gratitude
The Altona Library has a vibrant new centerpiece that’s catching the eye of every visitor.
A stunning 30-by-10-foot mural now graces the library’s study area, created by Rachel Lancaster, a self-taught mural artist from Winnipeg.
Known for her bold and imaginative work, Lancaster has spent over a decade painting murals, custom art pieces, and even furniture, leaving her colourful mark on homes and businesses across Manitoba.
The mural, commissioned by the South Central Regional Library (SCRL), was designed to enhance the new library’s donor wall, celebrating the community’s generosity in supporting the library’s relocation and fundraising efforts.
Branch administrator Rachel Friesen said part of the fundraising for moving into the new library included a mural.
“The donor tree was also something we always planned on doing. Ron Friesen of Ron’s Custom Engraving made and donated all the leaves with the donors’ names on them. He did a great job. We really wanted our donors to know how much we appreciated their support through this whole process. It was important to all of us.”
They decided to showcase the donor tree with a mural, with the central theme being a tree adorned with the donor leaves.
“We found Rachel online and realized how exceptionally good she is. We just gave her some details of what we were looking for, and she just ran with it.”
Lancaster explained her approach to this project:
“They gave me a list of things to spark my imagination. I started with the tree and built around it, incorporating elements that represent the library and the community.”
The tree features an open book at its base, from which vibrant imagery emerges: a dragon, sunflowers representing Altona’s status as the “Sunflower Capital,” wheat symbolizing agriculture, and feathers honouring the Indigenous members of the community. A bubble within the mural showcases the town of Altona, with its iconic windmills and heritage buildings.
True to Lancaster’s signature style, a teddy bear also makes an appearance—a recurring element in many of her larger pieces.
“I want people to stand and contemplate, to find something new every time they look at it,” she shared.
An artist’s journey
Lancaster’s path to becoming a mural artist is as inspiring as her work. Originally an event coordinator, she turned a hobby into a thriving career, painting over 2,000 murals across Manitoba, from baby nurseries to fences. Today, she’s a busy mom of two girls and runs a successful art business with her husband.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else. A desk job is definitely not for me,” she said. “I’m grateful for the way communities in this province support artists and allow me to do what I love.”
Social media has played a significant role in Lancaster’s success, with over half a million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. One of her videos has garnered more than 100 million views.
Her fans are captivated by her spontaneous process and vibrant style, which ranges from realistic scenic depictions to pop art-inspired designs.
“People love it. The feedback has been fantastic,” she said. “The best part is that I’m still employed, and this is still my livelihood. I’m loving every minute of it.”
Lancaster loved to paint as a little girl. Without formal training, she began painting again at age 22 and hasn’t stopped since.
“I’ve painted something every single day, from four to six hours, for the last 15 years,” she shared. “It’s not like I started any better than anyone else. If you have the drive to do something, you can just do it.”
The Altona mural, she added, is a celebration of creativity and community.
“I wanted it to be big and colourful, packed with all kinds of images to captivate the imagination.”
Friesen said the library couldn’t be more thrilled with the result, noting that visitors just stand and marvel at the details and vibrant colors.
“We’re just blown away by how well it represents our community and our library. We’re very grateful that she was willing to come and work with us. It’s just fantastic.”
