The vibrant colors and interesting characters of cartoon life are usually reserved for the television screen. However, artist and Imagination Corporation owner Dan Sawatzky blurs the boundaries between animation and reality. Throughout the years, he has astonished both customers and critics with his amazing sculptures and paintings, creating everything from award-winning ice cream shop signs, to entire theme parks. Even his house is built in a comical fashion.
His newest artistic endeavor is Cultus Lake Adventure Park. Described as a “whimsical and western,” it’s arguably one of the most heavily themed parks ever created. The Peak sat down with Sawatsky to discuss what it’s like to create a business and work daily designing worlds right out of Dr. Seuss books.
The Peak:When did you first begin to paint and sculpt? How did you discover your passion for this craft?
Dan Sawatzky: I began drawing and painting at a young age and this ability showed up in my very first report cards when I was in school. While I have a talent inside me, I could name many I grew up with who were far better than I. I realized early [in life] that this was my passion, something I simply had to do. I started my own business painting seasonal window splashes at age 14. That was back in the late 60s. I made $600 after school in a few weeks that first Christmas season. I discovered I could make a living doing what I loved. I’ve never looked back and I am very fortunate to be able to follow my passion and do what I love every single day.
P:You have created many outstanding pieces of work, ranging from award-winning business signs to houses, and even theme parks. What is the project of which you are most proud?
Sawatzky: There have been countless projects through the years of every scale imaginable. Some went on over a period of years. Before moving to the Fraser Valley in 2000 I was very involved in the little town of Chemainus on Vancouver Island. I did many projects there as well as seven historical murals. My involvement there made it possible for me to paint more than 120 historical murals all over North America.
Then I discovered the joy of designing and building theme parks. Our biggest project to date was the re-theming of Galaxyland in West Edmonton Mall. It took us more than five years. Giggle Ridge, which we owned for 12 years was a long held dream. Janis [Dan’s wife] and I, with a great team, built it in 2000. A couple of years later [in 2002] we drew the plans for the expansion of Giggle Ridge but we could not reach an equitable agreement for a lease on the needed land with the park board of the day so we put the dream away.
When we sold Giggle Ridge to the Steunenburg family, ― owners of Cultus Lake Waterpark, ― we dusted off those old plans and showed them to the new owners. Now, two years later that dream is even bigger than we imagined.
P:You are currently working on the construction of Cultus Lake Adventure Park, the expansion of Giggle Ridge. What has taking on this project been like? Are there any challenges that you have faced?
Sawatzky: When we tackled the design and construction of Cultus Lake Adventure Park we started with the plans I had drawn over a decade ago. Chris Steunenburg wanted to maximize the potential of the relatively small footprint available and brought me a wish list of things they were considering. [. . .]
We decided to theme one half of the project to the existing Giggle Ridge theme and the other half to a western theme. The challenge was to transition from one theme to the other. I believe it is done in a pretty slick fashion. In the process we also divided the rides and attractions for a younger crowd from the family rides that will appeal to older kids. We are very proud of this project and delighted to have this project so close to home!
P:Where will your next project be? Can you give us a sneak-peek?
Sawatzky: Our next project will take us all the way to Trinidad. It is a project very similar to [Cultus Lake Adventure Park]. Skallywag Bay Adventure Park will of course have a pirate theme. Attractions include adventure golf, a train, a kid’s play area, a climbing wall and rappelling rock of monstrous proportions, a ferris wheel and a wave swinger ride. All will carry a wonderful pirate theme, with a twist of course. We will build the components here in our studio over 48 weeks and then ship them down.
P:What advice would you give to university students who would love to start their own business like yourself?
Sawatzky: Follow your passion, not money. Learn your stuff, do your homework. Work hard. Become the best. Live the dream.
Cultus Lake Adventure Park opens June 28. To learn more about Dan Sawatzky’s work, visit his website imaginationcorporation.com.
