DAWSON CITY – Renditions of new Yukon border highway signs for the Top of the World and Dempster highways were recently revealed at the Visitors Information Centre in Dawson.

The signs themselves were not present. However, postcards showing them were given out to the several dozen people – mostly excited visitors – who were present Aug. 6 to hear the introduction and welcome from Geof Harries, the Yukon government’s manager of visitor services. He has been making the rounds to look at the new signs, and was recently in Beaver Creek. 

Harries was accompanied by Chantal Rousseau, the Dawson artist whose submission was chosen for the artwork on the Top of the World sign.

The other local artist is Kimberly Edgar, whose work is on the Dempster Highway sign. She was not present at the unveilings.

Rousseau’s art was assembled from three pieces showing the highway scenery, some fireweed and a bird on a bush, which were combined to make one picture. She showed off her original images.

In Beaver Creek, Harries found lots of visitors wanted to get a photo of him and themselves in front of the sign. Several people noted they had done this when they first came to the territory, so they found it was good to have colourful signs that make an effective backdrop.

The back sides of the signs are all plain white, so Harries expects that people will fasten stickers to them or write graffiti on them.

“It’s basically a white canvas,” he said, adding that they were specially treated so they can be easily cleaned.

One hopes they won’t be used for target practice by frustrated hunters, as seems to be the case with some many ordinary highway signs.

Guests at the Aug. 6 event were treated to coffee and some special cupcakes baked by Beverly’s Bakery.