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(Photo Credit: Shania Twain Foundation)
By Nathaniel Leigh
Community

Grande Prairie artist joins Shania Twain on stage for Calgary Stampede performance

Jul 8, 2025 | 3:43 PM

A Grande Prairie artist was able to complete a speed painting project in front of a live audience while standing next to Shania Twain.

Carolyn Sinclair was invited to perform alongside Twain at the Calgary Stampede last week, speed painting to create a work depicting a horse and a treble clef musical symbol.

Sinclair says she practiced for six months to ensure she could get the painting done in the allotted time, and as an extra flair, used a pre-made painting of the Calgary landscape as her canvas.

“It looked like I was just smushing paint all over it and taking it all out,” says Sinclair. “Shania even said on stage ‘Oh I was worried for a minute because all I could see was black paint!’ all of a sudden, the image comes to life, and you can see it on the canvas. When I turn the canvas, then you can see the shape of the horse.”

(Photo Credit: Carolyn Sinclair/ Shania Twain Foundation)

Sinclair says she was thrilled to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I listened to Shania performing before I went on stage, and I was excited for that,” she says. “It was just a natural moment between Shania and I, because I was going to listen to her words and take her cues. I just wanted to be in the moment with her and have this fun. And I actually wasn’t scared.”

She says the painting was put up for auction and sold for over $14,000 with proceeds going towards the Shania Twain Foundation to fight food insecurity, empower youth and help foster mental well-being.

“That is what her foundation does,” she says. “They meet the needs of people that need extra help. You know [Shania] came from someone that didn’t have a lot when she was growing up. And that’s her giveback. I just want to be a small part of that.”

Twain performed at the Calgary Stampede last weekend, where she also served as parade Marshal.

You can view more of Sinclair’s artwork on her website.

by Nathaniel Leigh