Spotlight on the Hew & Draw Hotel's Artist-In-Residence Program & Artist Susy Randell

If you've visited Corner Brook this summer, you might've spotted a vibrant splash of colour at the Hew & Draw Hotel's seacan bar at 55 West Street.

Located in the Boomstick Beer Garden, the business decided to go the fun, creative route when transforming the shipping container into a colourful outdoor bar for the season. In early May, they released a call seeking an artist-in-residence to create a mural for the bar, exploring the rich landscape and cultural history of Western Newfoundland (offering an artist fee, in addition to materials, supplies and accommodations at the Hew & Draw).

They received around 100 applications from artists all over the country, ultimately choosing local visual artist Susy Randell to bring their vision to life.

"When we had the idea to repurpose the seacan for our outdoor beer garden, our team saw a blank canvas and an awesome opportunity for unique artwork," says Autumn Gale, Director of Operations at Hew & Draw Hotel.

"We were looking for an artist that uses bright and bold colours and leans towards nature in their work. Susy's portfolio is just that. She is exceptional at creative, colourful landscapes."

Randell, who's from Corner Brook, spent about a week in June painting the mural. Featuring the sun, suspended in a sky filled with hues of pink, orange and purple, setting over a landscape of lush forests and majestic mountains, it celebrates the region's rugged beauty while paying tribute to its rich Indigenous history and heritage (including nods to the Bay of Islands' fishing and forest industries).

Since it was unveiled, Gale says, the mural has been getting rave reviews and adds immensely to the space (visitors can check it out up until the beer garden closes for the season on September 30).

"The mural completely changes the energy of the beer garden. It's fun, summery and has tons of little Easter eggs from the Bay of Islands area that you'll recognize the longer you look," she says.

"The feedback has been nothing but positive. We feel it's a beautiful and welcoming addition to Corner Brook's outdoor spaces."

Her goal with the piece, Randell says, was "to create a stunning visual representation of Corner Brook's history, culture and natural beauty that resonates with the community and inspires a sense of pride and connection." She also had the opportunity to connect with members of the community while she worked, through casual discussions which the Hew & Draw promoted on social media.

"I had the pleasure of meeting people of all ages, who shared their warmth, positivity and encouragement. I had meaningful conversations and appreciated the support and kindness they showed me through my artistic process. Having spent most of my life in Corner Brook before moving to British Columbia in 2019, it was wonderful to reunite with friends and also form new connections," Randell says.

"Working in the heart of downtown, I felt fully immersed in the community's vibrant energy and appreciated the sense of belonging. The team at Hew & Draw were incredibly supportive and friendly."

While she had to work against time and weather constraints, Randell says it was rewarding seeing the hotel's innovative concept for the seacan bar turn into reality, as well as hearing other people's interpretations of the artwork - as varied as the landscape itself.

"This is what I adore about abstract art - its ability to evoke diverse interpretations, much like the ever-changing shapes of cumulus clouds drifting across the sky. The beauty of abstraction lies in its subjectivity, inviting viewers to project their own meanings and connections, making each perspective uniquely personal and valid. Someone mentioned the trees looked like people sitting along a hillside. Someone else said they saw a pizza! Personally, I thought the log rolls, representing the paper mill and logging industry, looked like funny cinnamon buns but someone said they were their favourite part," she says.

"The most gratifying aspect was creating a public artwork that can inspire and spark imagination knowing a big grey metal box always has the opportunity to be so much more!"

The Hew & Draw started their artist-in-residence program two years ago (hosting everyone from painters, weavers and even pasta makers, Gale says) to support local arts, and aim to host one to three artists/creators a year. And they don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Supporting the arts in this way, she says, is a win for the business and the community as a whole.

“We will continue to seek out opportunities in all disciplines that we feel will be engaging for the community and beneficial for our business," Gale says.

“Corner Brook is an arts community, bursting with creative talent. We can create a functional space but the artists and creators make it beautiful and interesting. The art spurs conversations and feeling. The business is the vessel and can only benefit from supporting local artists."

Visit Susy Randell on Instagram @susyrandell and @adoregraphics.