Ray Laporte, local artist, uses his signature moose to help Syrian refugees

A Sudbury artist is raising money to sponsor a Syrian family coming to the city and his work has more than a touch of northern flair.

Ray Laporte has created a series of whimsical prints that feature an image of a moose. Superimposed on the side of the animal image are fragments of famous paintings by Norval Morrisseau, Picasso and Frida Kahlo.

To take the moose theme a step further, he's building a life-size plywood cutout of a moose and painting it gold.

Laporte will unveil it in front of artist Heather Topp's gallery on Cedar Street on Saturday.

"If you build it they will come, that's what they say," he said.

"I am building a moose about eight feet by eight feet at the School of Architecture. I'm going to situate it in front of Heather Topp's place for Saturday."

Laporte has raised more than $2,000 through the sale of his prints.

He hopes to sell many more on Saturday as he exhibits with some other artists.