Val-des-Bois mural

A large-scale tribute to the days of the log drivers

In Val-des-Bois, a striking mural catches the eye and tells a significant part of regional history. Created entirely with spray paint by artist Maria-Rosa Szychowska, this impressive work depicts the Lièvre River, the Highfall Dam, and a scene of log driving as it might have been experienced more than 60 years ago. It shows log drivers at work on their logs, in the middle of a fast-flowing river, in a bright and energetic composition.

Beyond its technical prowess and meticulous details, the mural evokes a deep-rooted collective memory, that of a skill and way of life that shaped the region. It also recalls important milestones, including the suspension of log driving in 1964 and the end of timber floating in 1994.

A touching detail is that the central character represents the artist's father, adding an intimate dimension to this public painting.