Award-winners recognized for their commitment to education, community and Aboriginal culture

Elaine Cairns and Latasha Calf Robe love to share their passion for education, literacy and learning for their community.

Today, the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee (CAUAC) and The City of Calgary recognized these two exceptional women with The Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award and Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award. Now in its 31st year, these awards honour those who build bridges of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures.

2017 Winner of Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award

Elaine Cairns, 2017 recipient of the Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award

Elaine Cairns is a literacy specialist who has developed curricula and facilitator training for Indigenous learning programs. Elaine is currently the executive director of the Further Education Society of Alberta (FESA), which she co-founded in 1996.

Elaine has worked with isolated communities, and provided mentoring and facilitator training for Indigenous community workers and trainers. The curricula she has worked on embraces Aboriginal traditions and focuses on sharing of information. In the acknowledgement that community is different, she works with community members to incorporate the knowledge of Elders about how to share the traditions and culture. With these learning programs, families are then able to share, teach, and build relationships within and outside their communities.

“As a Non-Indigenous person, I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this prestigious award. It reaffirms for me the importance of the work I do in Indigenous communities”, says Elaine. “I have learned more from Indigenous people than they have ever learned from me. I have learned the importance of patience, to listen, be resilient, to persevere, and always have a connection to culture and traditions.”

Elaine’s efforts have opened the door to understanding the importance of working together to improve literacy in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures. She believes improved learning leads to improved lives and with passion and dedication we can bring literacy and learning to everyone. Making a difference, one learner, one community, one organization at a time.

2016 Winner of CAUAC Youth Achievement Award

Latasha Calf Robe, 2017 recipient of the CAUAC Youth Achievement Award

Latasha Calf Robe, 24, is a graduate of Mount Royal University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business, and a minor in Indigenous Studies and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Latasha is a proud Blackfoot student from the Blood Reserve in southern Alberta and is being recognized for utilizing traditional community teachings. In founding the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) Resiliency and Empowerment Discussion Group in 2016, Latasha created a positive space for the Mount Royal community -- a place to celebrate Indigenous resiliency and empower her peers. Her academic work and leadership has helped bring the community together to bridge generational, cultural, and ethnic differences through dialogue and storytelling. She was a featured panelist at an Access to Education, hosted by Mount Royal University, to discuss barriers Aboriginal students encounter at post-secondary institutions and how to overcome them.

This year, she also presented the student address at Mount Royal University for the visit of the Honorable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Aside from her academic achievements, Latasha’s involvement with student life demonstrate her strong desire and deep commitment to education, culture and her community.

“Winning this award allows me to represent my community, the Blood Reserve, in a positive way. I hope to empower and encourage other young Indigenous scholars and youth to iiykakimaat (try hard), and to never stop chasing their dreams,” says Latasha. “There is no goal too big. By using the resiliency and traditional ways taught to us by our elders, parents and community, anything is possible.”

Centre City bridges celebrate Canada 150

Art banners that celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of confederation are being unveiled this week on bridges leading in Calgary’s Centre City. The artwork, created by local artist Katie Green, explores one’s individual relationship with nature and illustrates the cyclical elements in nature and life.

Green drew inspiration for the artwork through a community engagement event hosted last summer by herself, Blackfoot Elder Casey Eagle Speaker and Stoney/Nakoda Elder Paul Daniels. The trio led 43 Calgarians on a nature walk in Fish Creek Park where Eagle Speaker and Daniels shared teachings on how nature is integrated into everyone’s lives.

Following the walk, community members participated in a sharing circle to discuss their reactions to the Elder’s teaching and share stories about their own personal relationships with nature. The imagery contained in each banner artwork was sourced directly from the insights and perspectives shared at the engagement event.

Highlights of the community engagement process have been documented in this short film by Maximillian Krewiak:

Green’s artwork will be on display throughout the year, as one of The City’s Canada 150 commemorations. Bridges where Green’s work can be viewed include Centre Street, MacDonald, Inglewood (9 Avenue), Langevin, soon to be re-named Reconciliation (Edmonton Trail), Louise (10 Street) and Mewata (14 Street).

This initiative is part of the Centre City Banner Program, which is managed by The City’s Urban Strategy – Centre City Team, in collaboration with the Public Art Program. For over a decade, the program has been engaging local artists to create artwork that is displayed on gateway bridges into Calgary’s Centre City. The objective of this program is to transform these gateways into open air galleries, creating a vibrant and colourful narrative for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

The banner program is funded through both the Downtown Improvement Fund and the Public Art Program.

Five places to catch 'em all

So you’ve decided to catch 'em all and are walking around the city, getting your daily exercise, and fulfilling your gaming goals, but do you know where to go? 

We’ve made a list of the top five places where you’ll find more than just Pokémon!

1. Prince’s Island Park

Preview in the Plaza - get a sneak peek at some hot musical acts this August

Did you know this year is the Year of Music in Calgary? To help keep the party going we have organized a number of free concerts in Olympic Plaza from noon to 1 p.m. So grab your lunch and maybe even your dancing shoes and come on down.

Add a little Latin spice

Wednesday, Aug. 3 come down to hear the acts kicking off this year’s Expo Latino. International recording artist Natalie Castro and Grammy-nominated Cuban superstar Wil Campa with his orchestra will be entertaining anyone who comes to Olympic Plaza. 

East meets West

Wednesday, Aug. 10 Plaza goers will get the chance to The Futhers. This Iranian band will be sharing their unique blend of Middle Eastern folk melodies and contemporary western music. The band will then be playing at the Tabestoon Festival, happening Aug. 12 and 13 if you find you want to hear more. 

Take a short break to the Caribbean

Thursday, Aug. 18 we are previewing the rhythmic reggae of Aktivate. This group is Calgary-based and will be performing later that week at Reggaefest, which runs Aug. 19 and 20.

Learn more about the Year of Music at visitcalgary.com/push-play or check out our events calendar for more information on different festivals and events around Calgary, including other free music events such as our Music in the Park. 

Six new public art projects to watch for in Calgary

We'd like to congratulate the latest group of talented artists who will be completing six upcoming public art projects in Calgary:

1. Street Art Program for Youth

This program engages students in a supportive environment and promotes the practice of safe and respectful urban muralism.

Lead artist AJA Louden developed the 2016 program curriculum and is joined by professional artist, Dan Bergeron who will lead participants in the first site mural in 2016. The mural will be located along the 61st Avenue S.W. corridor between Chinook Centre and Chinook CTrain station. Professional artist Sergey Ryutin will lead youth for the second project in 2016, located in Thomson Family Park.

Students are guided by professional artists and learn art-making skills that add to the vibrant urban life of our city. They gain an understanding of what it means to be working to meet the needs of a commissioning body and contributing to the larger community through their creativity.

2. Manhole Covers

More than 12,000 km of underground pipes travel beneath our city streets, servicing water, stormwater and wastewater. Hidden from view, this massive network is accessible through more than 200,000 manhole covers across Calgary. Through regular maintenance, we replace approximately 2,000 manhole covers each year.

Artists Jeff Kulak (Vancouver) and Ivan Ostapenko (Calgary) have been selected to create new manhole cover designs that represent, express and reveal each of the distinct, hidden systems of water, wastewater, and stormwater.

Look out for their new designs which will be incorporated into the replacement cover program and will be fabricated from this year onward.

3. Prairie Winds Park Public Art Project

We have hired Incipio Modo, an artist collective, to create a permanent public art project at the redeveloped Prairie Winds Park. Incipio Modo is comprised of Calgary-based sculptors Danira Miralda and Edward Beltran.

They produce both abstract and figurative work in a wide variety of materials. The duo have experience in producing site-specific sculpture for public and private spaces of varying sizes and complexities, both in the built and natural environments.

4. WATERSHED+ Dynamic Environment Lab

Five artists have been chosen to develop concepts to renew the emotional connections between Calgarians and their watershed. They will explore the impacts of our continuously shifting environment, connect with experts, and build relationships with the local arts community over the next two years.

The five artists are: Steve Gurysh; Tim Knowles; Becky Shaw; Stokley Towles; and Peter Von Tiesenhousen.

Each artist was given six weeks to submit a concept proposal and a seven-member jury selection panel has invited each artist to move forward with further researching, exploring and implementing these concepts.

5. West Eau Claire – Phase I

As part of Calgary’s downtown riverfront, West Eau Claire Park is one of the most well-loved public spaces in Calgary. Defining the edge of the Centre City, people of all ages and backgrounds come together to enjoy the river and open spaces.

Phase I of the West Eau Claire Park Public Realm Plan is focused on the Delta Garden, located south of the iconic Peace Bridge, which will integrate public art into the pathway design. Calgary-based artists Cailtind r.c. Brown and Wayne Garret were chosen to create a design for the pathways.

They work with diverse mediums and materials, ranging from artificial light to re-appropriated architectural debris. Comprehensive community engagement with area residents, stakeholders and citizens from around Calgary led to a plan that aims to build on the river’s inherent qualities to create an inspiring public park representing modern Calgary.

6. Utility Boxes along Fifth and Sixth Avenue SW corridors

Artist Eveline Kolijn will lead 10 artist mentees in a six-week mentorship to develop 12 utility boxes on the west side of the Fifth and Sixth Avenue SW corridors. This will allow local artists to expand their skills under the guidance of and established artist.

We developed the artist mentorship program in collaboration with Alberta Printmakers to develop new possibilities for the Utility Box program. Each mentee will receive $500 and an annual membership with Alberta Printmakers.

Artists can apply to be part of the Utility Box Program. Visit the Facebook event for more information.

Calgary musicians turn it up on the CTrain during JUNO Week

Mayor Naheed Nenshi with Calgary's own Steel & Timber left to right(Nathan H-Thompson, Phil Brayton & Ben Rogalsky)

During JUNO Week, Calgarians and out-of-town visitors will have the pleasure of taking in some of our City’s local musical talent on the CTrain. Musicians will play for Calgary Transit passengers and provide a sampling of the vibrant music scene we have right here in our city.



“On behalf of the citizens of Calgary and the JUNO Awards host committee, OutLoudYYC, I am pleased to welcome the JUNO Awards to our great city,” says Marco De Iaco, Chair OutLoudYYC. “There are so many wonderful Canadian musical acts playing, and I encourage Calgarians to take part in the numerous events that are taking place at both large and small venues during JUNO Week and leading up to the JUNO Awards.

JUNO volunteers will accompany the musicians to tell passengers about all the multitude of events taking place in Calgary leading up to the JUNO Awards. So if you happen to get on a train car with a little more rhythm than your regular commute, take a moment to tap your feet to the beat and say hello.

Musical acts will be playing on both CTrain lines (red and blue) between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Monday March 28 through Friday April 1 and include Steel & Timber, Jan Rachel and Jiggity James and the Canadian Tuxedos just to name a few.

“Calgary is a music city. We have an immense amount of talent here, and we’re so excited to showcase our performers to the world, especially leading up the JUNO Awards when so many music professionals will be visiting,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “We have a great busking scene, and there isn’t a night when you can’t go out in Calgary and see some wonderful live music at one of our many local venues.”

Calgary’s musical talent is evidenced not only by the entertainers that make it big and go on to win JUNOs and other awards, but also by the acts that remain local and help to animate our city for all Calgarians to enjoy. When we launched the busking pilot program in January, we made a commitment to help promote and showcase local up-and-coming talent. The JUNOS on the CTrain program is one of the ways we’re supporting, celebrating and elevating the profile of street performing as a cherished art form.

Find out more about what’s going on in Calgary for the 2016 JUNO Awards and JUNO Week.

Find out more about becoming a busker in Calgary at calgary.ca/busking.

With so much happening in Calgary’s music scene, it’s easy to see why 2016 has been dubbed the Year of Music!

2016 JUNO Awards playing it loud in Calgary

In case you haven't heard... the 2016 JUNO Awards are coming to Calgary!

In this Year of Music, The City of Calgary is pleased to be a member of the 2016 JUNO Awards host committee, OutLoudYYC, to showcase our vibrant local music scene and welcome Canada’s top music industry professionals and fans from all over the world.

"Bringing the JUNO Awards to Calgary has great benefit to our city," says Sarah Iley, manager of Arts & Culture with The City of Calgary, "Not only by showcasing
our home-grown talent, but also in terms of economic stimulation for all kinds of local businesses. We encourage Calgarians to demonstrate what a lively music city Calgary is, and take part in the numerous events that are happening leading up to the JUNO Awards.”

Calgarians already have and will continue to enjoy a multitude of JUNO events including local artists at small venues during JUNO Fest, microgrant performances, pop-up concerts, autograph signings, JUNO Cup, JUNOS on the CTrain, Songwriter’s Circle, Canadian art exhibit, the Indigenous Showcase and many more.

First to check out is JUNO Hub, a storefront space celebrating Canada’s musical history that is now open in The Core from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The JUNO Hub features JUNO-related artifacts – photo exhibits, JUNO Cup Jerseys, shoes worn by previous JUNO winners and other musical memorabilia including the JUNO Award itself - and is staffed by music loving volunteers prepared to answer questions about all JUNO week events and community activations.

Find detailed event listings and the most up to date info at outloudyyc.com and invite your friends and family to join The City’s Facebook event.

We love YYC artists

Art is a big part of what makes Calgary great. It benefits the economy, creates jobs and makes our city more attractive, enjoyable and interactive.

Green Footprints Project by Patricia Lortie, Rasha Amen and Bill

We love our artists, and are excited to offer a range of opportunities to help them contribute to our city.

Opportunities for artists

Artists Working in Community is an eight-week course designed for professional artists to explore and develop a community-based public art practice. Artists will propose a project for the Sheldon M. Chumir Centre (2016’s community partner) that involves the public in the design/making of the project.

The proposals will be presented at an open community selection panel session and seven will be chosen to be completed.

Check out the call to artists to learn more including how to apply.

The deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 22, 2016 at 10 a.m. 

Painted City artist roster

Artist:  Ricole Fedyna

Painted City covers any program or request where an artist applies 2D artwork to City-owned property. This includes our much-loved Utility Box Program; the new Street Art Program for Youth; plus banners, decals, murals and more.

We’re looking for artists to include on a roster eligible to create artworks for any Painted City opportunities. Full call to artists here.

The deadline to apply for the roster is Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 at 4 p.m.

Print Media Lead Artist 

To help develop an interest in creating public art in Calgary, the Utility Box Program and the Alberta Printmakers are joining efforts to create a mentorship program. This program has a lead artist with expertise in printmaking who will help up to 10 members of the Alberta Printmakers learn and develop new techniques.

The group will apply what they’ve learned by creating artworks for a pre-selected group of utility boxes, working with the local community to create art that is meaningful to them.

We’re looking for a lead artist for the partnership, with a call open to both local artists and those outside Calgary.

Deadline to apply is Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 4 p.m.

Artist Mark Eadie from Ink Smashed working on Print It Large

The mentees for the program will be chosen by Alberta Printmakers from their membership. Local artists interested in being mentored in printmaking techniques can become a member by joining at the Alberta Printmakers webpage.

Public Art Program Mentorships

As part of our commitment to provide a variety of opportunities for emerging public artists we will be offering up to five mentorship opportunities from June to December 2016.

These opportunities are designed to provide professional development for artists interested in pursuing a public art practice. Those chosen will have the chance to work with professional, world-renowned public artists working on large-scale projects in Calgary. They will have one-on-one meetings, shadow and assist their mentor when possible.

How to Make Bylaws Fly by Vincent Briere

The mentorship call will go out early next week. Watch our Opportunities for Artists page for more info including how to apply.

Reputation for award-winning public art

Calgary has seen a number of major benefits from supporting art and artists. This includes being named one of the top 52 places to visit in 2014 by the News York Times (number 17) because of our reputation for award-winning public art.

For more information on public art in Calgary visit calgary.ca/publicart.

Submitted by Lauren Greschner, Recreation

Wanted: Calgary artists to help ‘Paint the City’

We’re launching a new initiative today called "Painted City." We looking for artists to include on the 2016 Painted City artist roster and the diverse group on the list will be pre-approved, making the process of connecting artists to communities simpler, quicker and cheaper.

Painted utility box by Michelle Hoogveld
in Highland Park.

Artists on the roster will be eligible to create artworks for the Utility Box Program, The City’s new Street Art Program for Youth and any other opportunities where an artist applies 2-D artworks to banners, murals, photography and other digital artworks, mosaics, decals and more.

Calling local artists

The Call to Artists for the 2016 - 2018 Painted City artist roster is now open and submissions are due by Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 at 4 p.m. MST.

Communities or community members who would like more information on how to have a utility box or other property in their neighbourhood painted can visit the Painted City web page to learn more.

Taking on the challenge to paint the city

The initiative grew from the success of the incredibly popular Utility Box Program, which has injected colour, excitement and fun into Calgary neighbourhoods since it began in 2010. Local artists have created over 170 utility box public artworks throughout the city. To see the great work done by the artists on the 2015 Utility Box Program roster, check out the gallery on the Utility Box page.

In 2015, artists for each box were chosen from a list of artists on a pre-approved roster, which allowed communities to pre-select an artist who suited their needs, while the group of artists chosen for the roster were given select access to work across Calgary. The roster also offered extra opportunities for these local artists as some received private commissions directly from being on the list.

"SNAPSHOTS" by Derek Michael Besant at 4th St. underpass.

Public space as a place for creative expression

A goal of Painted City is to work with community associations and other grassroots organizations to consider art as an important part of neighbourhood improvement and community development, where all public spaces are seen as potential places for creative expression.

Visit our public art website for more opportunities for artists and to learn more about the work being done to help build dynamic and vibrant public spaces in Calgary through the Public Art Policy and Public Art Master Plan.

Submitted by Lauren Greschner, Recreation

Temporary community art project to be unveiled in celebration of fire station rebuild

We hope you can join us tomorrow morning, starting at 10 a.m., to see the new temporary art project ‘Many Hands Makes Artwork’ unveiled at the Mount Pleasant Fire Station 7, 2708 4 St. N.W.

Hot chocolate, an art activity, and a chance to visit with the captain and crew of Fire Station 7 along with Calgary Fire Department mascot, Sparky, will be part of the celebration. The event will be in the bays of Fire Station 7, with the doors open, so everyone is reminded to dress for the weather.

Artists worked with the community

While created by Calgary artists Sandras Civitarese, Lisa Tornack and Heather Urness, this project would not have been possible without the work of many community members and the North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre.

The art project will span more than 100 feet of fencing and be interactive, allowing the public to see through the fencing in places, so they can check out progress on the demo and rebuilding of the fire station.

Peak through art on the fence and watch demolition and rebuild @ Mount Pleasant Fire Station. #yyc Tweet this!

Unveiling for passersby

“The artists created the concept of the project and we’ve relied on help from the community to complete it. We know it will add a unique visual element to what will be a construction site,” says Jody Williams, supervisor for the North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre.

On Saturday, Nov. 21, at 10:30 a.m. the art project will be unveiled by Mayor Naheed Nenshi, MLA for Calgary-Klein Craig Coolahan, Ward 7 Councillor Druh Farrell and Acting Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc as well as two of the project’s artists, Sandra Civitarese and Heather Urness.

The project will be facing towards Mount Pleasant Fire Station 7 on Saturday morning, for the event, and will be turned around on Monday morning, for the community and everyone who passes by 4 Street N.W., to see.

New fire station complete by end of 2017

“This has been a great experience, to partner with the Calgary Fire Department and members of the community to create something that we hope everyone who passes by will enjoy. We are so excited to finally see it unveiled,” says Williams.

The fire station is set to be demolished by the end of this year to make way for a replacement fire station. The new station is expected to be completed by the end of 2017 to ensure the Calgary Fire Department can continue to provide the needed emergency services to Mount Pleasant and its surrounding communities in the future.

Submitted by Bridget Cox, Calgary Fire Department

Stable footing for the Brotherhood of Mankind

The City of Calgary’s Public Art Program has been successfully working on a comprehensive conservation work for the Brotherhood of Mankind artwork, also known as the Family of Man.

The Brotherhood of Mankind artwork is one of the most prominent landmarks and tourist attractions in our city located outside the former Calgary Board of Education. It consists of ten 6.5 meter tall aluminum figures and has been in downtown Calgary since 1968.

Many factors including tough weather conditions may affect this outdoor artwork and cause potential structural damage. Therefore, an assessment of the external surface and structural integrity was conducted to preserve this captivating composition.

As part of that work, a public art conservator inspected the sculptures while City crews tested the ground underneath them. The examination proved that the figures are stable in the ground and in good condition. However, some maintenance work is required, and next month The City will be working on installing new pavers for the artwork.

"Given the fact that the Brotherhood of Mankind will soon celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in Calgary, it’s great that we are able to contribute to its continued presence and showcase this artwork that beautifies the downtown community," says Joel Hidalgo, Construction Services Supervisor.

These conservation efforts will ensure that Calgarians and guests can enjoy the Brotherhood of Mankind artwork for many years to come.

The Brotherhood of Mankind was created by Mario Armengol, a well-known Spanish artist, to be displayed at the British Pavilion for the Montreal Expo in 1967. Composition was purchased by a Calgarian who donated it to The City. The statues have stood guard here ever since 1968 and survived numerous construction booms and area developments that have taken place in the downtown core over the years.

If you like to learn more about The City of Calgary’s Public Art Program, visit Calgary.ca/culture.

Canada Day celebrations - Things to know

Next Wednesday, July 1, we’re throwing a huge celebration in honour of Canada’s 148th birthday and all of Calgary is invited to join us in the festivities.

Canada Day is the city’s largest single-day festival drawing crowds of 250,000 during a full day of family-friendly fun that spans across the downtown core from Fort Calgary to Prince’s Island Park and many spots in between.

With so much going on, we’ve put together a list of things you should know before heading down to celebrate.

Getting around

Walk, ride your bike or take transit to the downtown area. Plenty of bike racks have been added at various locations around downtown and you can download Calgary Transit’s new app, which makes it easy to plan trips, look up schedules and see real-time bus and train arrivals.

Free all-day shuttle buses will run between various Canada Day event sites in the downtown core including Eau Claire, Olympic Plaza and Fort Calgary from 11 a.m. until midnight. A free fireworks shuttle will run between SAIT and McHugh Bluff Park from 6 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Pay parking is available at SAIT, however Calgarians are encouraged to take the CTrain to meet the shuttle.

Thanks to the Calgary Parking Authority (CPA), downtownCPA parkades (with the exception of the Arts Common parkade) and street parking will be free on Canada Day. Surface parking lots provided by CPA will offer a reduced Holiday Rate. But please remember there are a number of parking bans and road closures in effect to accommodate the many activities that are part of Canada Day.

What to bring

Bring your water bottle as we’ll have H2O Buggy water refill stations located at Prince's Island Park and the Riverfront Festivities. Also, don’t forget sunscreen, bug spray and a hat. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and if you’re staying for the fireworks, consider bringing a jacket for the evening.

Waste, Recycling and composting

Canada Day will offer waste and recycling stations including collection bins for beverage containers and compost stations for food scraps and napkins. You can also help keep our city beautiful by employing the ‘pack it in, pack it out’ method. This means any items brought to an event should be carried home with you for proper disposal.

We want everyone to have a safe and fun time while celebrating our nation’s birthday and look forward to welcoming Calgarians to the festivities on July 1.

For more important info on things to know for Canada Day, and for a list of all of the great activities on offer, visit Calgary.ca/CanadaDay

Submitted by Lauren Greschner, Recreation