Cartoonist caricatures all of Whistler in 500-piece jigsaw puzzle to help fundraise for Whistler Community Services Society
Like all snow lovers, cartoonist Lorne Craig was choked when the 2020 ski season was cut short by COVID-19. So, he got busy drawing to create See You in Whistler – a massive cartoon puzzle of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Hand drawn with an old-fashioned ink nib pen, it features iconic runs, lifts, animals, activities and over 200 characters.
“Jigsaw puzzles have been rediscovered in these COVID-19 times,” Craig says, “They are also perfect for family nights at the ski cabin. What better way to keep our skiing spirits high?”
The puzzle artwork is a hand drawn pen and ink cartoon illustration of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and the Village. It is made of 500+ pieces that assemble into a 19”x 28” panorama featuring:
- Iconic ski runs, lifts and terrain features
- Quirky situations, visual puns, historical and cultural references
- Over 200 wacky characters, animals and vehicles!
- A list of things to find, for more family fun!
“I included some ‘Easter eggs’ in the puzzle especially for the locals”, Craig shares. “But this project is made to be enjoyed around the world. While helping out right here in Whistler.”
Craig has lived in the Sea to Sky for decades and has seen how the pandemic hit the workers and citizens of Whistler hard. He noticed that through it all, the Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) has been there, providing essential services like the Food Bank, Outreach, emotional support, and more. Craig has made a pledge that profits from each puzzle sold in the first limited edition run (300 puzzles) will go directly to WCSS.
“This is a way that Whistler visitors from around the world can offer local support,” says Lori Pyne, WCSS Interim Executive Director, “From each puzzle, WCSS will receive a donation, so we’re hoping this idea goes global. You are the pieces of our community puzzle!”
ORDER YOUR LIMITED-EDITION PUZZLE
The puzzle is being promoted and funded on the IndieGoGo crowdfunding platform. Learn more about the project and pre-order your limited-edition puzzle before the campaign closes. Puzzles are $42 CDN and are expected to ship by the end of September to locations in Canada or the USA.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Lorne Craig is no stranger to Sea to Sky country. As a creative director, he designed Whistler trail maps from 1992 – 2001. Then, in 2019, with Squamish Author JF Plouffe, Craig illustrated and helped launch the eco children’s book Little Spring, using online crowdfunding.
Lorne Craig is an award-winning designer and illustrator based in Vancouver and Lillooet Lake, BC. Craig’s Unitoons cartoons have been featured in ads, posters, t-shirts, greeting cards, social media and more for over 30 years. Craig is also the owner of Unicycle Creative, where he develops campaigns focused on impact and sustainability.