At Ascent Coffee, we believe in the power of community, collaboration, and creativity. That's why we were thrilled to be included in a project that blends art, culture, and the natural beauty of Terrace. This summer, through our partnership with the Skeena Salmon Arts Festival Society, the Terrace Community Foundation and the City of Terrace, we helped bring a vibrant new mural to life on the Spring Creek Pump House. The mural, located at the Spring Creek trailhead, was painted by Sabrina Williams, a talented Gitxsan and Nisga'a artist whose work is as bold as it is deeply connected to her heritage.
All mural photos from Sabrina Williams.
Public art projects like these not only beautify our shared spaces but also foster a deeper connection to the culture and stories that define our region. The Spring Creek Pump House mural is a perfect example of this: a once unassuming structure has been transformed into a striking visual that reflects both the natural and cultural elements of Terrace and the surrounding area. The mural welcomes hikers, bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts as they embark on adventures and is a testament to the transformative power of art, inspiring us to see our surroundings in a new light.
The Skeena Salmon Arts Festival committee selected Sabrina Williams from several local artists to take on this exciting project. Her mural showcases a thoughtful blend of colours, symbolism, and styles. While the project was initially expected to take three days, soaring summer temperatures delayed the work, and it stretched out over nearly two weeks. Despite the challenges, the finished piece clearly shows Sabrina's perseverance and dedication to her craft.
The mural is rich with imagery drawn from the natural world, with the sun, butterflies, and flowers being some of the most eye-catching elements. Sabrina chose these symbols carefully to celebrate the beauty of this land and highlight the significance of even the smallest aspects of nature. Her vision comes through clearly in the mural's design, which also features a long red mountain line representing the city of Terrace, nestled among the surrounding mountains.
Sabrina's work reflects both her cultural heritage and her evolving personal style as an artist. A graduate of the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, she has a strong foundation in traditional art forms but isn't afraid to experiment with new techniques and colour palettes. Northwest Coast art is typically characterized by the use of specific colours—mainly red, black, white, and teal—but Sabrina has expanded beyond those boundaries in this mural. By incorporating more diverse colours and contemporary techniques, she brings a modern twist to the traditional foundations of her Gitxsan and Nisga'a background.
Her deep cultural ties are evident not only in the visual elements of the mural but also in her approach to art itself. Raised in the villages of Gitwangak and Gitanyow, Sabrina grew up surrounded by the teachings and traditions of her community. Both her Gitxsan and Nisga'a heritage play a central role in her artistic expression, as she seeks to honour her ancestors and carry forward the artistic legacy of her family. Knowing that not all her talented family members have had the opportunity to become artists, she carries them with her every time she picks up a brush.
Despite the weight of that responsibility, Sabrina is determined to chart her own path as an artist. Her goal is to continue learning the building blocks of traditional Northwest Coast art while incorporating new ideas and techniques that reflect her personal style. This mural, her first large-scale public artwork, is a significant milestone in that journey. It's also a testament to the support of her family, who helped her complete the mural during the hot summer days. As she looks to the future, Sabrina hopes to take on more projects that push the boundaries of her art. One of her aspirations is to create a portrait mask—a symbolic piece that incorporates a family crest or emblem, drawing from the rich storytelling traditions of Nisga'a culture.
At Ascent Coffee, we feel incredibly fortunate to have played a small part in bringing this mural to life. While our contribution to the project involved funding, the real heart of the mural is Sabrina's vision, skill, and cultural storytelling. The Skeena Salmon Arts Festival and the City of Terrace also played crucial roles in spearheading the project, ensuring that public art continues to thrive in our community.
This mural is not just a beautiful addition to the Spring Creek Trailhead; it's a celebration of the land, the culture, and the people who make Terrace such a unique place. We encourage anyone passing through the area to take a moment to admire Sabrina's work and reflect on the stories it tells. The Spring Creek Pump House mural serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of art, nature, and community.
We're proud to support artists like Sabrina and are grateful to be part of projects that bring beauty and meaning to our shared spaces.