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.

New banner artwork celebrates beauty of Calgary architecture

Spring brings to mind freshness, bright colours and vibrancy; nowhere is that more apparent than on the new banners being installed throughout our Centre City.

This year, Calgary-based artist Sheila Kernan has produced seven original canvas paintings highlighting Calgary’s urban culture. The paintings integrate architecture from across the city to create unique streetscapes and skylines.

Her artwork, titled Our Calgary, celebrates the diversity and beauty of Calgary and its distinctive architecture.

“I have always been endlessly fascinated by how our city transforms at night,” Kernan says. “There is an energy that emulates from flickering neon lights casting amazing patterns and reflections onto our majestic buildings.”

The banners are being installed as part of the Centre City Banner Program, in partnership with Public Art.

Banners are displayed on seven bridges leading into the core and on the Olympic Plaza pergola, acting as gateways to Calgary’s downtown and cultural district.

“The program helps beautify our gateways into the Centre City, animating our downtown with bold punches of colour,” says Graham Gerylo, Project Manager in The City’s new Urban Strategy Department. “It provides an opportunity for local artists to build their portfolio and showcase their work in an open-air gallery format.”

Kernan’s artwork takes inspiration from a variety of structures and juxtaposes new with old, such as the historic Centre Street Bridge with the recently built Peace Bridge. This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the Centre Street Bridge. Kernan has paid tribute by adding lion emblem motifs and stucco patterns into her canvasses.

“I hope the artwork and the placement of the banners provides an engaging narrative for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers to enjoy,” Kernan says. “I also help it encourages Calgarians to reflect upon what our great city has to offer.”

An opening reception to celebrate Kernan’s work for this project is being held on Saturday, April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Gibson Fine Art gallery. Please visit the artist’s website for more details.

Visit calgary.ca/centrecity for more information on the banner program and to view past and present artwork. The City is planning a celebration to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Centre Street Bridge this summer.

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.

New banners brighten downtown bridges

The next time you’re in Calgary’s Centre City, look up. Seven of the downtown bridges and Olympic Plaza have recently been outfitted with colourful new banners by local artist Karen Klassen.

The banners, commissioned through The City of Calgary’s Centre City Banner Program, and in partnership with Public Art, highlight moments of discovery as told through six of Grimm’s fairy tales.

“In each of these fairy tales there is an epic moment of discovery for the characters that changes the course of their lives,” Klassen says. “I see the bridges that span our rivers as opportunities for discovery within the neighbourhoods they lead us to.”

Klassen’s fascination with the fairy tales began at an early age. For this project, she chose to focus on six specific tales: Ashputtel, Briar Rose, Iron Hans, The Golden Bird, Snowdrop and Jorinde and Joringel.

“The richness, texture and detail included on the banners can be viewed and appreciated from a variety of scales, whether a person is walking, cycling or driving into downtown,” says Graham Gerylo, Project Manager, Centre City Implementation.

Since the Centre City Banner Program began in 2008, a dozen local artists have been commissioned to provide artwork specifically for use on the Olympic Plaza pergola and key gateway bridges leading into the greater downtown area. You can find the banners on the 14 Street, 10 Street, Centre Street, Langevin (Edmonton Trail), Zoo, Inglewood (9 Avenue) and MacDonald bridges.

Visit calgary.ca/centrecity for more information and to view past and present artwork. More of Klassen’s work can be seen at karenklassen.com.


About Calgary’s Centre City

Calgary’s Centre City is the economic, cultural and social hub of our city, home to more than 6,000 businesses, 39,000 Calgarians, 25 public parks and hundreds of events and festivals. In 2007, City Council approved The Centre City Plan, a comprehensive and strategic long-term vision for the future of this area. Calgary’s Centre City includes the Downtown Core, Downtown West, Eau Claire, Chinatown East Village, Beltline and Stampede Park.

New public art series encourages connection to Calgary's watershed

Varying Proximities, a new temporary two-part public art series, encourages us to think about how we experience our rivers. The series was created by Broken City Lab, one of five artist groups working through The City of Calgary’s WATERSHED+ Artist Residency program.

Part one, titled Subtext: River Signs, asks a series of questions, in place until mid-January, affixed to 100 stormwater outfall signs throughout the downtown area along both sides of the Bow and Elbow.

“Broken City Lab’s project invites us to consider the importance of our relationship to our rivers through a new lens, asking questions we might of a person or a relationship,” said Sans façon, lead artist for the WATERSHED+ public art program.

Immersed in Water Services

The artists were immersed directly with The City of Calgary's Water Services staff and learned the specifics about Calgary’s water systems, resources and processes. The artists say that level of accessibility and engagement with City staff was truly essential in the development of the project, which is specific to Calgary's watershed.

Part two of the series, Connecting to the Bow, invites you to call the Bow River from anywhere in the world by dialing 1-844-OUR-BOW-RIVER. For the next 12 months, you can dial the toll-free hotline and be transported to the river’s edge.

Appeal to the senses

“Hearing the Bow River flowing really made that connection for me. It’s kind of our lifeblood in the sense of the water giving us life and allowing us to be nourished. For me, it was the beginning of having more respect and responsibility and more knowledge about our place in it all,” said Calgarian Carol Clausen.

Over the span of a year, Broken City Lab worked alongside The City of Calgary through the WATERSHED+ public art program, a cornerstone of The Utilities and Environmental Protection (UEP) department’s public art plan.

More information on the Varying Proximities series or any of our other public art projects. 

Submitted by Jennifer Storm, Arts and Culture, Recreation

New Public Art Policy increases public participation and adjusts funding model

Public art plays an important role in our communities and The City of Calgary’s Public Art Policy helps to encourage a diversity of approaches and opportunities. Just as art is evolving, the policy and program needs to as well. Upcoming changes will increase public participation, continue to foster local artist involvement, encourage functional art and adjust the funding model.

Traffic Signal Box by Will Yee at 16 Ave and Centre A St NE

“Recently, Council approved a review of the corporate public art policy which allows us to refine our processes and learn from our experiences over the last 10 years since the program’s inception,” said Kurt Hanson, Director of Recreation. “During the review we worked with a diverse number of stakeholders, including City Council, gathered information on leading practices from other municipalities and on May 20, Council approved changes to the public art policy and process.”

So what are the changes?

Funding
One of the most significant changes is to funds allocated to public art from eligible capital projects. Previously, 1 per cent of project costs were allocated to public art. Under the new policy, 1 per cent of the first $50 million and 0.5 per cent of the portion over $50 million will be allocated to public art, up to a maximum of $4 million per project. This change takes effect for capital infrastructure project charters approved after May 26, 2014.

Additionally, funding from private citizens can now be pooled together, allowing for iconic and monumental works of public art to be placed in key locations.

        Charged Line by Jill Anholt in Altadore 

Public and local artist participation
The size of the selection panel that chooses artists and approves concepts for public art is growing. Two new community members will join, bringing the panel up to seven in total. A new panel is selected for each public art project, and is comprised of three art and design professionals, one City employee from the commissioning business unit, and now three community representatives.

Artists will be required to engage the public before developing their final concept and design. The new process will also increase opportunities for local artist development and involvement.

“Supporting local artists to compete for public art projects on a local, national and international level continues to be an important component of our program,” says Rachael Seupersad, Superintendent, Public Art Program. “The recent program changes have prompted us to further promote our current Public Art 101 offerings, increase the number of mentorship opportunities, plus add courses that will train artists specifically on responding to Request for Proposals for major projects.”

Heritage protection and functional art
In certain situations, a portion of public art funding can now be used to restore heritage assets impacted by a capital project. Also, the definition of public art will now include functional art pieces that serve a purpose, like a bench, bike rack, gateway or windscreen.

What’s next?
The City will lobby provincial and federal governments to lift current restrictions on where public art dollars can be spent. The goal is to allow for public art dollars to be pooled and shared – ultimately enabling public art to be created in locations that make the most impact and can be shared by more Calgarians.

By June 2015, The City will develop a Public Art Master Plan, tracking the changes and identifying whether further policy adjustments are required. A public art pilot project that asks for extensive citizen input on the artwork itself will also be completed within this timeframe.

Water Fountain by Sans Façon at various locations

Calgarians are proud of their public art collection. The Public Art Program continues to engage a variety of local, national and international artists, and build capacity for public education opportunities. It’s our role to help uphold the principles of artistic freedom and expression, and emphasize the importance of art and the role of the artist in society.

For more information on Calgary’s Public Art Program, Policy and to view past and upcoming projects, visit Calgary.ca/PublicArt, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @PublicArtYYC.

Submitted by Jennifer Storm, Recreation, Arts and Culture

Barb Scott Park opens with tributes to its namesake

Noon on June 13 officially marked the opening of the Beltline’s newest greenspace, Barb Scott Park, located on 12th Avenue and 9 Street S.W. Not even the rain kept the nearly 200 community members away from attending the opening and witnessing the dedication to the long-serving late Alderman whom the park is named after.

Beltline Communities President Rob Taylor said the park’s design was community-driven from the beginning, and was sketched out on a napkin by a local group working with their alderman. Nearly a decade later, the community's dream has finally come to fruition.

Project manager for the park development Michelle Reid said, “The community input was essential for the park development, and their aspects were integrated in to the final design of green space; which is ultimately very flexible for citizens.”

Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Councillor Evan Woolley, Parks Director Anne Charlton, and Rob Taylor officially declared Barb Scott Park open with a simple ribbon cutting ceremony and a selfie in front of the park's anchor attraction, an interactive public art sculpture dubbed, "Chinook Arc."

Later that evening, a community celebration for the new park and the official unveiling of Chinook Arc took place from 8-11 p.m.

The event included a number of activities including a foosball and ping pong table, pedal powered DJ booth and bubble machines. Artists from Creative Machines, the creators of Chinook Arc, shared their story about the sculpture, explaining how it interacts with movement and colours.

Local jazz musicians, the Lorna MacLachlan Quintet, played a special musical composition created for the event. This was followed by a lantern parade.

For more photos, see our photo album on Flickr. Follow the Chinook Arc on Twitter @Chinook_Arc and post your own selfie with the sculpture using the hashtag #chinookarc or by @ mentioning the sculpture on Twitter or Instagram.

New plaza adds to Landscape of Memory on Memorial Drive

Calgarians will soon be able to enjoy Calgary’s newest Landscape of Memory community hub along the Memorial Drive corridor. This fall (2014), The City will complete work on a new plaza and park space that features benches, bicycle racks, new trees and vegetation, low level lighting, and an art sculpture to help connect Calgarians to the Bow River.

Artist's rendering of Parkdale Plaza

“People enjoy using the Memorial Drive corridor for a variety of different reasons already -- commuting, walking, running, resting -- we wanted to create a space that enhances people’s experience in the park and adds more meaning and vibrancy to the area,” says Doug Marter, Planning and Development Manager, Parks.

Transforming open space in Parkdale

The plaza will be located at the end of 34A Street in the community of Parkdale. It is the second Landscape of Memory community hub (after Poppy Plaza) that will transform an open space along the corridor into a vibrant public space.

“This plaza will be a great enhancement to the park,” says Marter. “Right now, other than a few benches in the area, there’s no place that offers people a place to sit and enjoy the space. The new plaza will not only give people a place to sit, but take in the views and reflect, and even offer a unique view of The City’s stormwater system through the integrated art sculpture.”

Art sculpture connects Calgarians to Bow river

Part of the plaza will include an integrated art sculpture that will give plaza visitors a unique view of The City’s stormwater system and its impact on the health of our rivers. The artist, Brian Tolle, and local architect, Marc Boutin shared their visions for the plaza and the sculpture in the following video.



To find out more about the plaza and get construction updates, visit calgary.ca/parkdaleplaza.

New interactive sculpture will allow park visitors to get creative

Calgary’s Chinook weather phenomenon is legendary. It is also the inspiration for The City’s newest public art installation, which will use colour and light to enhance visitors’ experiences at Barb Scott Park this spring.

But unlike the uncontrollable weather, this interactive sculpture, dubbed Chinook Arc, will allow visitors to change its light sequence using hand movements. The sculpture will be highly visible along 12 Avenue S.W. and its soft glow will provide a reminder of warm Chinook winds during the dark winter months.

The artists, Creative Machines, say the shape draws inspiration also from the historic Beltline streetcar loop that once encircled the neighbourhood.

Collaborative design to collaborative art

Chinook Arc also extends the creative collaboration already begun during the consultation process and incorporates community involvement.

Extensive community consultation identified a desire for public art to be included in the development of the new park’s development plan.  Public art funds, as dedicated by Council policy, were used to help fund this piece and the final design was chosen by a panel of five Calgarians, representing both the neighbourhood and the local arts community.

The total budget for this interactive sculpture was $370,000.

Installation will close one lane

Fencing of the site has begun in preparation for the installation beginning on March 31. One east-bound lane of 12 Avenue S.W. and the parallel sidewalk will be closed for most of the day on March 31. No other impacts are anticipated to commuters or surrounding residents or businesses during the estimated three-week installation process.

The new Barb Scott Park is named after one of Calgary’s longest serving aldermen, who represented Ward 8 for seven terms. Scott passed away recently at the age of 83.

Follow the installation process on Twitter @Chinook_Arc.

See the galleria tree structures on Stephen Avenue in a new light

New LED lighting is set to illuminate and animate the ten metallic tree structures found on Stephen Avenue Walk, located next to Bankers Hall and the CORE Shopping Centre. The new lights were turned on over the weekend, and create a new night time perspective along Calgary’s busiest downtown street.

“The galleria trees are one of the most iconic and photographed structures on Stephen Avenue Walk. This lighting design will shed new light on these structures and brighten the pedestrian environment, on what is typically a very dark downtown block”, said Graham Gerylo, Project Manager, Centre City Implementation. The new lighting design includes colour LED spotlights which illuminate the ‘trunk’ and linear LED fixtures that outline the top ‘branches’ of the tree structures. In addition, theatrical spotlights cast a mottled light pattern onto the underlying sidewalk and roadway, brightening the streetscape.

“Enhancing the lighting of architectural landmarks and structures in the downtown area is a Centre City focus. In the winter months, Calgary can be a very dark city. Lighting features like this help to create a more vibrant and inviting environment for Calgarians and our visitors to enjoy”, said Gerylo.

The Calgary Downtown Association will operate and program these lights moving forward, which have the capability to be animated throughout the evenings and for special events.

Imagine this block and the trees lit up green for St. Patrick’s Day:

Or Red when our Calgary Flames or Stampeders are playing:

If you would like more information about this project please contact 311.  Members of the media can also contact The City of Calgary’s media relations line at 403-828-2954.

City announces professional development course for artists working in community

The City is pleased to be offering an all-new eight week professional development course designed specifically for artists interested in working more closely with the community.

Beginning in January 2014, selected artists will meet on Tuesday evenings to explore the breadth of community-based public art, and learn more about the opportunities and challenges of working with the community. 

“Anyone who is inspired by working with diverse populations and building community through their work should apply for this course,” says Dawn Ford, Public Art Program Coordinator. “This is a great chance for artists to take a break from the isolation of the studio and challenge themselves to work in a different way. It just might open up an entirely new realm of unexplored possibilities for them, and that is very exciting.”

Topics will include types of community collaboration, the integration of public participation into an arts practice, and how to use community-based principles and techniques to strengthen future commissions.

The application process for this course is competitive. An internal selection committee will review all applications and assess qualified applicants for admission to the course. While 20 of the spaces are to be filled by professional artists, all interested artists are encouraged to apply as there are five audit spots reserved for individuals who do not meet the ‘professional artist’ criteria.

For full course details, including registration fees (fee assistance is available) and how to apply, download the course application form.

ACAD students create one-of-a-kind designs for Nature Centre

Calgarians will see a lot more than just birds at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary now, thanks to the creativity of design students at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD).

A series of illustrations created by the students is on display in the Nature Centre at the bird sanctuary. The artwork highlights birds found seasonally at the sanctuary and their migratory paths, as well as the other species of wildlife visitors may encounter.

Kick off Celebration at Olympic Plaza launches Alberta Culture Days 2013

This Friday, September 27, kicks off the sixth annual Alberta Culture Days, which has grown over the years from a one day event recognizing Alberta’s arts and culture to a three-day nation-wide event.

To kick off the weekend, The City of Calgary, in partnership with the Province of Alberta, is hosting a free family friendly celebration and concert at Olympic Plaza, September 27 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The free concert is from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Olympic Plaza with performances by local musicians Cadence Weapon, Makeshift Innocence, Bitterweed Draw and Sidney York, as well as a performance by the world champion hoop dancer Dallas Arcand.  Other performances and artistic exhibits include stilt-walkers, juggling, visual artists working live on site, Quickdraw Animation, and other interactive surprises.

Calgarians are also invited to visit the nearby Municipal Plaza to check out the Museum Of Contemporary Art (MOCA) installation of Dave Dyment’s suspended disco balls and Max Streicher’s sculpture of a horse leaping out of the wall.

Alberta Culture Days 2013, from September 27 to 29, showcases the province's arts, multicultural, heritage and non-profit/voluntary organizations; creative industries and individual artists, while encouraging all Albertans to discover the important contributions of culture to a prosperous, vibrant society.  It is part of the national Culture Days weekend in which hundreds of communities across Canada are participating and celebrating culture.

For more information please visit calgary.ca/culturedays.

Public Event: Intersection of art and architecture in city building

Photo courtesy Nicole Leismeister, Winner in the DJ (Mix it up!) category of the 2013 Mayor's Expo Photo Contest.

On June 4, the public is invited to attend a presentation on the iconic Bow building and Wonderland, the public artwork that has attracted world-wide attention, followed by a panel discussion that will explore the connection between public art, architecture and the building of great cities. The City of Calgary and the University of Calgary are co-hosting the event.

“Architecture and public art should create a discussion about the character of place. In Calgary we’re embarking on an exciting transition as the city evolves,” says panel participant Rollin Stanley, General Manager of The City’s Planning, Development and Assessment department.

The City supported Encana in commissioning public art for The Bow through its bonus density program. All incentive options are aligned with one or more Council priorities. They include installing public art, creating a new green space, providing bicycle storage or contributing to the Affordable Housing Fund.

Plensa’s work at the Bow makes a much-appreciated and significant contribution to Calgary’s ongoing evolution as a distinct and vibrant city, one that is gaining international recognition for its quality of public art and architecture.

“Public art is about communicating and celebrating different perspectives,” says Sarah Iley, Manager of Culture at The City of Calgary, who will facilitate Tuesday night’s discussion. “But The City is just one organization and we can’t do it alone. In fact, collaboration, partnerships – whether internal or external or a combination of both – is a common denominator in every aspect of public art development.”

Wonderland artist Jaume Plensa and architect James Barnes of Foster + Partners, the firm that designed The Bow, will be joined by University and City experts for the discussion. The evening promises to be thought-provoking and informative.  Please visit calgary.ca for ticket and registration details.

The University will be represented by President Dr. Elizabeth Cannon and Dr. Nancy Polock-Ellwand, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Design.

Sneak Peek reveals eight new public art projects

Concept rendering of "Charged Line" to be installed at the South Calgary Fire Station this summer.

Calgarians were treated to a sneak peek Wednesday of eight public art concepts soon to be installed in communities throughout Calgary, including New Brighton, South Calgary, Windsor Park, Beltline, Harvest Hills, Parkdale, Inglewood and along the 7th Avenue corridor.

Sneak Peek: Public Art 2013, hosted by the Public Art Board and emceed by its passionate chairman Chip Burgess, featured concept imagery, video clips of the commissioned artists and a special presentation by celebrated artist Cliff Garten.

"The City's commitment to public art really shines through this exciting and diverse offering of projects," said Burgess. "My board colleagues and I are very proud to be involved in these installations that will undoubtedly enliven our public spaces, engage our fellow citizens and have a positive impact on our urban realm."

The projects presented by Rachael Seupersad, Superintendant of Public Art, include a large form steel abbreviation of the term 'versus' (for New Brighton Athletic Park), an interactive, illuminated sculpture inspired by both the Chinook arch and the historic Beltline streetcar loop (for the park located at 12th Ave. and 9 St. SW) and an inverted mountain range which references the source of the Bow River and its glacial origins (designed for a new plaza being developed  for the Parkdale Regional Pathway at end of 34 A St. NW.).

Cliff Garten’s project, which he introduced at the event, is titled Luminous Crossings and consists of a series of standing and hanging stainless-steel sculptures to be divided between the City Hall and West Downtown-Kerby LRT stations.

 “The installation will create a visual experience for the thousands of people who pass through these stations every day,” said Garten. “The city is a backdrop for the sculptures, and the sculptures are the backdrop for the activities going on around them.”

All the projects are possible thanks to The City's Public Art Policy. The Policy enables the commission of public artworks that are placed throughout our city, and freely accessible at all. An energetic, illustrative video has been developed to help citizens understand a little more about this collaborative process.



Through its Bonus Density Program, The City also encourages corporate Calgary to invest in public art. Recent examples include Wonderland and Alberta’s Dream, commissioned by Encana for The Bow plaza, and several temporary and permanent installations in the East Village.

Sneak Peek: Public Art 2013 was a free event and open to the public. Visit calgary.ca/publicart to view the eight new concepts and learn about other projects underway.

Experience The City's public art with the Calgary Public Library

Join the Calgary Public Library and discover the history behind Calgary's public art. The Art Circuit program is a tour of the Civic Art collection displayed around the Municipal Building and on the plus-15 system. This tour is guided by experienced volunteers who have an interest in art.

Art Circuit tours happen on the last Thursday of ever month. For more information and to register visit calgarypubliclibrary.com.

Windsor Park Fire Station public art design unveiled

The new Windsor Park Fire Station will include a public artwork titled Under the Helmet by Canadian artist Ilan Sandler. Chosen via an open international call-to-artists, Ilan worked closely with the design team and put forward this concept in response to The City’s goal of having a site-specific artwork that relates to the unique community of Windsor Park, reflects the roles, responsibilities and history of the Calgary Fire Department, and encourages connection to the site by the public.

The Concept
Under the Helmet is a large linear aluminum sculpture of a fire-fighter’s helmet. From a distance, viewers will see the outline of the helmet and visor, and by following the pathway, they can walk right up  under the piece to experience the some of the finer details.

The artwork speaks to the complex relationships and dependencies that exist among firefighters and their equipment. In particular, the helmet distinguishes the individuality of the fire-fighter, while symbolizing membership on a team.

The artwork is more than referential. Its open spaces allow viewers to project their own understanding of what fire-fighters encounter.

By constructing the linear form from the characteristics of hoses and maintaining ample open spaces within the structure, the artwork’s curves will complement the angular geometry of the building’s design and hardscaping. The artwork fuses the personal and the uniform into a monument to the profession, suggestive of the challenges and rewards firefighters experience while under the helmet.

The Artist
Ilan Sandler has shown his work across Canada and internationally, and has completed public art commissions in Toronto, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Busan, South Korea. He has received numerous awards, including grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Culture. Ilan studied at the University of Toronto, where he received a B.Sc. in Physics, and at the Ontario College of Art and Design, where he completed an Honours Fine Arts certificate. In 2000 he was awarded an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. He is currently running Sandler Studio Inc. in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is also a Research Fellow at NSCAD University.

The Project

• The public art component of this capital project is as a result of the Council-mandated Public Art Policy and the associated percent-for-art funding strategy.  
• Construction of the artwork will follow capital project timelines and is anticipated to be complete in Spring 2014.

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Open Spaces: Windows to a View Linda Carreiro & RICHard SMOLinski and Larissa Tiggelers

Open Spaces: Windows to a View presents two new installations now on view at the 7th Avenue and Centre Street LRT platform. Artist team Linda Carreiro & RICHard SMOLinski explore the possibilities between language and meaning, while Larissa Tiggelers experiments with the endless relationships between colour, form and composition.

Linda Carreiro & RICHard SMOLinski,
Summary, 2013, excised black Moriki Kozo paper

Linda Carreiro & RICHard SMOLinski present Summary, a series of textual veils installed at varying depths throughout the space. Made from rice paper, the delicate text hangs vertically throughout the space, partially obscuring each other and casting elaborate and ominous shadows upon the wall and floor. Summary requires more effort from the viewer to read the text but denies any literal or absolute exchange of information. “We cannot guarantee that the experience of reading our Summary will impart any wisdom or enable any epiphanies,” say the artists.

Linda is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art at the University of Calgary, where RICHard recently completed his PhD in Art, and is currently a sessional instructor.

Larissa Tiggelers, GARY, 2012 acrylic on canvas

Local artist, Larissa Tiggelers’ painting practice experiments with colour, composition and form to create shifting spatial perspectives. According to Larissa, “The shapes, forms, colours, textures and the relationships between these elements are tools for both manipulating and breaking the illusion of space. The hard-edged shapes create a form, which then becomes a character, whose colours I manipulate to create a fractured space.” Although she is interested in the formal qualities of art, she insists that her work is based on an intuitive, experimental process. “I carefully consider the colour relationships and utilize my intuition to keep my process engaging.” 

Larissa received a BFA with Distinction from the Alberta College of Art & Design in 2010, and will be featured in the 2013 Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art, The News From Here at the Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton. 

With support from McLennan Ross LLP, the Open Spaces program celebrates the diversity and quality of local artists while enlivening the downtown 7th Avenue transportation corridor. 

These works are on view now through April 20, 2013.

For more information, visit www.calgary.ca/publicart.