Case Study
All Together Now
Mural, Mary Brown’s Centre, St. John’s
All Together Now
by Sarah O’Rourke-Whelan
Sarah O’Rourke-Whelan’s artwork stretches across 1000+ sq ft of the Mary Brown’s Centre in St. John’s, and imbues the space with vibrant colour, energy, and imagery that adds to the excitement of participating in an event.
Our Role
Photos: Capelin Creations
Business & Arts NL worked with the team at St. John’s Sports and Recreation by:
Crafting a Call for Submissions and circulating it throughout the arts community in NL
Providing support to applicants, ensuring accessibility and clarity throughout the submission process
Collecting and presenting submissions to the client
Facilitating an artist selection process that aligns creative vision with brand objectives
Managing contract development and artist agreements
Acting as a liaison between the artist and client, ensuring a smooth process that adheres to timelines
Collaborating on the unveiling event and communications rollout to maximize community engagement
The result? An expansive original artwork that helps add a creative dimension to the space, enriching the experience of community members in the space for events of all kinds. An ambitious project that demonstrates St. John’s Sports and Entertainment’s commitment to thoughtful community partnership and appreciation for arts and culture.
Gallery
Photos: Capelin Creations
About the Artist
Sarah O'Rourke-Whelan is a mural painter and illustrator based out of Outer Cove, Newfoundland. Her work is driven by character, colour, and drama. While five of her murals can be found in out in the community in St. John's and the surrounding area, other community engagement has included a Buchans mural Art Smarts school project, two works purchased for the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre, in St. John’s, as well as regular appearances at illustration markets across from province.
She attained her Bachelor in Fine Arts from Grenfell Campus, Memorial University in 2016.
This mural celebrates contemporary culture and Mary Brown's Centre events, with a distinct, modern Newfoundland and Labrador flavour. I created the design to work with the unique shape and structure of the wall, featuring a blend of scenes and bright colours that shift throughout, marked by pillars which form transition points in the mural, painted to look like iconic colourful St. John’s houses.
This mural, which covers over 1000 sq ft would have been an impossible task for just one person - I wouldn’t have been able to do it without a team of artist assistants. This was my first project leading and working with a team, and I’m so grateful for what I learned along the way, and for their collaboration.
Assistant Artists
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Hi, I’m Jay, owner of Fresh Squeezed Designs and one of Sarah’s helpers! While this is my first experience working with paint in a large scale, I’ve been drawing for my whole life! My art usually consists of character illustrations, inspired by anime, comics, video games, and fantasy worlds. I also own a small business where I sell my artwork in person and online, both in physical form as well as digital commissioned work. I’ve learned a lot about painting murals since I started working with Sarah, and I look forward to learning even more! I’m greatly honoured to be part of such a cool project!
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Aggie Goodyear is an emerging artist from Paradise, NL who recently graduated from the Grenfell Visual Arts Program. She is very passionate about community engagement in the arts. She's so happy to have worked with the mural at the Mary Brown's Centre!
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Hi! I am Emma Kennedy, artist of “Kor's Korner” and assistant painter to the new mural in the Mary Browns Centre. I've recently focused on my lifelong passion for art, starting my business as an illustration vendor at pop culture conventions, and involving myself in art projects such as this one. This opportunity has taught me skills for future projects, and the importance of the art community of NL coming together!
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Grace Way (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist who explores wellness culture, mundanity, and what it means to care(for). She works in mixed media, often including figurative drawing & painting, and the use of repetitive processes such as needlework and printmaking. Way earned her BFA in Visual Arts at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University in 2025 - now based in her hometown of St. John's, Newfoundland. As an emerging artist, she has shown in group exhibitions at the Tina Dolter Gallery and Grenfell Art Gallery in Corner Brook, Art Mûr in Montreal, and The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery in St. John's.
Artist Statement
“Mary Brown's Centre is where people come together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories. This mural captures the spirit of those experiences while creating a lasting visual reminder of the communities we serve. We are grateful to artist Sarah O'Rourke-Whelan for bringing this vision to life, and to Business and Arts NL for their collaboration and leadership in facilitating a partnership that connects art, community, and place in a meaningful way.”
- Brent Meade, CEO St. John’s Sports & Entertainment
Let’s work together
If your organization is looking to engage with artists—whether for a single event or a province-wide project—we're here to help. Business & Arts NL’s Brokering Services ensure that your partnership with the arts is thoughtful, effective, and impactful.
info@businessandartsnl.com