“Coming Home”
We are absolutely thrilled to announce an extraordinary opportunity to own a legendary piece of Peace Country and Canadian art history!
The breathtaking original oil painting, “Coming Home” by artist Shannon Brown, is officially up for silent auction. A portion of the proceeds from this auction directly benefit the Peace River ART HUB, helping us fund local art programming, maintain community studio spaces, and expand creative outreach.
The auction will culminate at our upcoming annual art gala and this year we have a fresh new theme. The Mask Gala ~ A Masquerade, hosted by the Peace River Art Club is scheduled to take place the day before Halloween, October 30, 2026 and the winning bidder will be formally announced live during this magical evening!
The Canada Flag Granary
The subject of this painting can be seen on the west side of Highway 49 during the five-hour drive north from Edmonton to Peace River, Alberta. It is a beloved landmark that has been offering a colourful Canadian welcome since it was patriotically painted by a farmer’s son in 1978.
The Story of the Canada Flag Granary
On February 15, 1965, after much collaboration and design deliberation, the National Flag of Canada replaced the Union Jack/Canadian Red Ensign at an old-flag-lowering, new-flag-raising ceremony in Ottawa with great applause and inspiring speeches.
Meanwhile, in Alberta, Joseph Johnson built this granary and painted it red. In 1978, his son, Gilbert, decided to paint it white.
When he was three quarters done, his brother, Marcel, came home from school and said, “Just stop right there. I think I can make something with that.” He marked the Canadian flag design on it and painted it. They repainted it ten to fifteen years later.
Daniel and Christine Aubin bought the land in 2010. In 2019, Daniel’s parents, Jules and Cecile Aubin, repainted it for the Centennial in Falher. Jules says, “We name all of the quarters according to who owned it before, but that half section is called, ‘The Flag.’ There is a family of foxes that have been there for years. The pups come out and play around every spring.”
Photos of this Canadian icon on the prairies have been seen in hotels and restaurants far and wide. Recently, an Australian firefighter purchased a print of Shannon’s painting to take home as a souvenir of his time fighting fires in the Peace Country.
The Story of the “Coming Home” Painting
In October 2017, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who grew up in Peace River, wanted a painting for her office in Ottawa that would remind her of home.
Her assistant, Sason Ross, found the Peace River Art Club on Facebook, saw photos of some of the pieces from our "O Canada" exhibit at the Peace River Municipal Library Gallery, and reached out regarding the image of the Canada Flag Granary. It was a photo Sharon Krushel had taken, printed on canvas and framed in barn wood. Sharon ordered a custom 43”x48” stretched canvas and commissioned Shannon Brown to paint the image.
Sharon loaned Chrystia Freeland the painting, with a little story sign, to share the charm of the Peace Country in Ottawa until Chrystia resigned to work for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Advisor on Economic Development of Ukraine.
And now “Coming Home” has come home!
About the Artist
Shannon Brown spent her childhood in High Level, Alberta, and moved to Peace River at age 13. She obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Shannon loves the north. She was a member of the Peace River Art Club, worked at Java Domain, and in 2017, was awarded the contract from the Town of Peace River to paint a mural on the south brick wall of Boston Pizza to brighten Main Street. Her “Peace Mural” features everything from the northern lights to the blooming prickly pear cactus, rich resources, and wildlife.
Shannon’s art helps us see the unique beauty of our own little part of the world.
Shannon completed her Education degree at Concordia University and teaches art at Allendale Junior High in Edmonton. She continues to paint beautiful murals, and, according to her @shinebrown Instagram page, “I’m a mom now... everything is now about being a mom.”
For more information about the painting, or the silent auction, contact Sharon Krushel at 780-625-6324
How to View and Bid
Don’t miss your chance to secure an artwork infused with local pride, federal history, and prairie spirit.
To view the piece or place a silent auction bid visit us in person at the Peace River Art Hub (10018 101 Street, Peace River)
Bids can also be placed by contacting the ART HUB at arthub@peacearthub.ca.
The starting bid is $1,500 and bids must be made in $100 increments.
Explore more of the "O Canada!" collection and Sharon's photography cards online at DonaBonaCards.com.
Follow the artist on Instagram: @ShannonBrownArt
