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Since 1998, the Big Easel on 10th Ave NE, Altona has held a painting of Van Gogh's Sunflowers. After 27 years of wind, rain and wear and tear, the painting needs to be replaced. It was taken down in the spring of 2025 after high winds caused additional damage and removed a panel.

What’s Next?

We conducted a survey of the community, and found that the majority of respondents felt the painting should be replaced, and that the replacement should be funded by a combination of municipal dollars and community fundraisers. Council set a fundraising target of $50,000 to proceed with the replacement.

What can I do?

Give the gift of time: If you would like to be involved in helping raise funds for this project, or have a fundraising idea, please contact Communications Officer Sarah Cail at communications@altona.ca or 204-324-6468.

Contribute to meeting the fundraising goal: Charitable donations can be made directly to the Town of Altona at the Altona Civic Centre at 111 Centre Ave E, or you can send an e-transfer to reception@altona.ca. If sending an e-transfer, you must include the following information in the memo so that we can process your donation.

Big Easel Donation
Full Name
Mailing Address
Phone Number

Image showing a gauge of fundraising amount. It currently shows that the fundraising target is $50,000, and $0 have been raised.

A group of benches in a park

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History

In 1996, artist and art educator Cameron Cross was teaching in Altona. He had a dream of a giant steel easel, holding a likeness of one of Van Gogh’s seven still life paintings of Sunflowers in tribute to Altona’s status as Sunflower Capital of Canada, and the annual Sunflower Festival. He presented his concept to the Altona and District Chamber of Commerce in 1997, and in 1998 the project was born and the very first Big Easel went up. In 1999, another was erected in Altona’s twin city, Emerald, Australia, and then in 2001 another went up in Goodland, Kansas.

Today, the giant easel is a recognizable symbol of Altona and is woven into the fabric of the community. Altona’s wordmark and other branding even draws inspiration here – the customized typeface is loosely based on the distinct handwriting style of Vincent Van Gogh, using thick and thin contrasting strokes to mimic the look created by a painter’s brush.