Turner Inn celebrates grand opening, unveils 54-foot mural

Artist Penny Corradine (left) and her partner Bill Faulkner pose under the Turner Inn Family Restaurant's 54-foot mural at the restaurant's grand opening party on Sept. 25 in Diamond Valley.
Artist Penny Corradine and her partner Bill Faulkner pose alongside Turner Inn Family Restaurant team members under the restaurant's 54-foot mural on Sept. 25 in Diamond Valley. From left: Corradine, Manuela Friedlos, Faulkner, owners Joanne and Sean Liang, and Amy Jardie.

A massive mural paying homage to the scenic Foothills is proudly on display at the Turner Inn Family Restaurant.

The eatery, which relocated to Black Diamond after closing its doors in Turner Valley, held a grand opening party on Sept. 24 at its new location on Centre Avenue.

Along with Western and Chinese cuisine, patrons will get to enjoy a 54-foot mural that artist Penny Corradine said is a love letter to the area's scenery.

The mural, titled Mountain Spirit, depicts an imaginary valley hidden close to the headwaters of the Sheep River west of Diamond Valley, with a herd of blue horses and human spirits overlooking it in harmony.

"The whole idea is the blue horses are the spirits that are taking care of nature," said Corradine.

The six-foot-tall mural depicts Moose Mountain, Bluerock, Banded Peak, Holy Cross and other summits in the Rocky Mountains.

"We wanted something in here that represents our area," she explained. "We wanted it to be about nature and taking care of things."

Corradine, an accomplished artist who has called the Foothills home for over 30 years, has previously painted murals in the states of Montana and California, as well as multiple in Alberta, including in Calgary, Cardston and Pincher Creek, in addition to exhibiting work at the Leighton Art Centre.

 "I've done a lot of murals, and this is one of the nicest," said Corradine.

"I hope [Turner Inn guests] take away our love of nature and where we live, and just try to take care of what's left."

The Turner Inn Family Restaurant is located at 121 Centre Ave. W in Diamond Valley, the former location of Marv's Classic Soda Shop before it closed last year.

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