Melissa Nasby鈥檚 next big reveal is a project that celebrates the nation and the artistic talents of her grandmother.

Salmon Arm residents looking for something to do Canada Day may want to stop or drive by Inclusive Arts, 81 Hudson Ave., at 1 p.m. when Nasby鈥檚 latest project, a large felted relief map of Canada, featuring official animals of the nation鈥檚 provinces and territories, will be revealed.

Nasby, a self-trained felt artist and sculptor, said the project was two years in the making, inspired by a quilt created by her later grandmother Iva Clarke for Canada鈥檚 Centennial in 1967.

鈥淚t inspired me so much,鈥� said Nasby, explaining the quilt won several awards and traveled across Canada.

鈥淎nd I remember as a child thinking that was such an incredible thing.鈥�

The map is a mixed media project of felted wool with clay, fur, feathers and neoprene.

From Dawson City to St. John鈥檚, it鈥檚 about 8.5 feet across, and about 5.5 feet top to bottom.

As she , Nasby chose to represent each province or territory by incorporating their official furry or winged representatives.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really just incredible, and they all kind of peak out in different angles and looking at each other,鈥� said Nasby.

The map was supposed to be revealed at this year鈥檚 Salmon Arm Canada Day Children鈥檚 Festival.

With that event cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Inclusive Arts owner Barb Belway offered the space in the front window of her downtown business.

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鈥淚鈥檓 really lucky she offered that space and it just fits,鈥� said Nasby.

Like her grandmother鈥檚 quilt, Nasby hopes that sometime in the future she will be able to travel the nation with her map, displaying it in each province.

鈥淚鈥檝e got a lot of friends all over Canada and they鈥檙e all going to work with their local guilds or galleries, and we鈥檙e just going to establish a nice little travel route for it,鈥� said Nasby.

鈥淚 really want it to go to each province eventually. So a lot of coordination has to happen yet. But it鈥檚 just not even worth the effort this year.鈥�

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