Background

Project Background


As part of the BRT MAX Purple line project, The City committed to an investment in public art along International Avenue.


Phase One of the public art involved displaying artworks by artists with a connection to International Avenue in the transit shelters along the MAX Purple line.

Phase Two of the public art will provide up to six opportunities for artists or artist teams with ties to the area to work along International Avenue. Community engagement occurs in two parts. Phase Two Part 1 helped determine the best locations for site-specific art installations along International Avenue and took place in Summer 2019. Phase Two Part 2 takes place in Winter 2020 with both online and onsite engagement activities.

For more information about the project, please visit the International Avenue Public Art project page.


PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

Each artist (or artist team) will be looking at different themes and subject matter. There are six collections of questions featured below with the feedback used to help develop and inspire the creation of their artworks in this positive community initiative. Each collection of questions will take approximately 5 - 7 minutes to complete. We sincerely appreciate any input you are able to provide.

Past Engagement

Past Engagement - Part 1: Engagement about Art Locations

Thanks to all who provided input. Here is the report of what we heard and how we listened.


This engagement occurred while the artist selection process was underway. We asked you where you would like to see this art along International Avenue near the MAX Purple transit line.

The original list of potential locations was created by community members who live and work in the International Avenue area and were reviewed by The City to be feasible potential locations for new artworks at this point in time.

How We Listened


Part One engagement is closed and we have reviewed all your responses. Thank you to all who shared their ideas.

Based on what you said about locations and why you liked certain ones, City staff considered all this along with other information including availability of land and technical feasibility. A number of locations were added as possibilities and some were removed. Final locations will be determined in collaboration with the artists and in public engagement Part 2.

The full report of what we heard and what we did is now available. The table below gives you a quick summary of what we heard from you and how we used your feedback.


What we heard from youWhat we have done or decided
About the specific locations (Please refer to map below)

F, H & A were most preferred

D and E were preferred

C and K were less often preferred but some people really liked them

The City has worked closely with the International Avenue BRZ (Business Revitalization Zone) to further explore the feasibility these locations. Location F, currently an empty lot, has been listed for sale. That means this space is no longer possible because there is a chance it will be purchased in the near future.
Locations H, A, D, E, C & K continue to be a possible locations and will be offered to the artists as a potential location for artwork.
About any/all locations
Prefer locations that Connect the CommunityThe City has discussed this feedback with the International Avenue BRZ, and identified some walls and fences along the Avenue that could be used for a continuous theme or idea that extends along the entire Avenue and connects one end to the other. This will be explored with the artists.
Prefer locations that are Easy to Access and well-suited to experiencing artWe work to ensure all locations are thoughtfully selected, technically feasible and provide opportunities for the art to be enjoyed by the community. A possible location at the Mini Park has been added in response to this.
Artists will be encouraged to develop artworks that are accessible to pedestrians and help create a sense of place on The Avenue.
Prefer locations that are Close to other AmenitiesAll potential locations are near amenities such as retailers, restaurants and green spaces
First impression/ community entranceThe International Avenue BRZ is fabricating signage to be installed along the Avenue to welcome people into the area.
About this art along International Avenue

Want art to enhance the space and that is safe

The City works with artists to ensure the artwork will enhance any space in which it is located.

The City also works with the artists throughout the development of their artwork to ensure it is safe for the public realm.
Want art distributed fairly and that looks good with the other locationsThis will be considered throughout the planning process and some additional potential locations were added for consideration to create a more equitable distribution of art along the Avenue. These include the addition of a potential location on 17 Avenue and 34 Street SE, as well as a number of potential opportunities for a distribution of artwork by using retaining walls, murals and fencing.

Four maps of 17 Avenue S.E. showing the ten location options

Please use the arrows on the left and right of the image to move between the four maps to see all the different location options.

Look at the ten locations in the list below and use the pictures and maps to help you. Tell us which locations you think are best (and why) for new art that enhances International Avenue.

Thank you for those who participated. Engagement is now closed. *** You can choose up to three options. Any location you don't choose stays on the left side. You need to choose at least one location.

Move the names of the location by dragging them from the left and dropping them on the right in order from top to bottom. The one you put on top is the one you think is the best.

  1. A- 26 St (south side) #
  2. B- 26 St (north east side) #
  3. C- 26 St (north west side) #
  4. D - 31 St to 33 St (north side) #
  5. E - 33 St (south east side) #
  6. F - 36 St (south east side) #
  7. G - 43 St to 44 St (south side) #
  8. H - 44 St to 45 St (open space) #
  9. J - 46 St (north side) #
  10. K - 53 St to Hubalta Road (north side) #
2) Think about the location you picked as first, why do you think this is a good place for art? Required

Please choose all that apply or tell us why.

3) Think about the location you picked as second, why do you think this is a good place for art?

Please choose all that apply or tell us why.

4) Think about the location you picked as third, why do you think this is a good place for art?

Please choose all that apply or tell us why.

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

General

1. What do you love about International Avenue?

2. What do you do most frequently when visiting International Avenue?

Check all that apply.

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Please rank from 1-6, with 1 being most important.

  1. Educate us with historical highlights #
  2. Promote learning, discovery, and creativity #
  3. Celebrate cultural diversity of the community #
  4. Establish community identity #
  5. Instill civic pride #
  6. Inspire all those who experience it #

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

Team Vahe

Share your local knowledge about the Greater Forest Lawn Area & International Avenue. You know your community best, and we want to learn about the area through your local perspective. You can meet this team of artists at the Forest Lawn Library on Saturday, January 18 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

For more information on the artists on this team, and the art they create, please visit their individual websites:

Vahe Tokmajyan: http://vahesculpture.ca/AboutTheArtist.html

Janey Luc German: https://www.facebook.com/janey.lgerman.

Juan Carlos Surria: https://www.instagram.com/juancarlosurria/

Lovelia Vera: https://loveliavera.com

Zoong Nguyen: https://www.zoong.ca

Maria Loaiza:


1. What aspects of International Avenue should be represented through art? Please reply with an image or text or both!

2. What’s a symbol of your cultural background?

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The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

Cassie Suche

What activities do you do daily/weekly/monthly and why are they important to you? Cassie’s work focuses on patterns, and your input can help inspire the artistic concept she creates for International Avenue. Meet Cassie in person at the Forest Lawn Library on Saturday, January 25 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

For more information on Cassie Suche and the art she creates, please visit her website www.cassiesuche.com

Section one: Ritual, Routine, Repetition

1. What is something you do:

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Section two: Sacred, Significant, Spiritual

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7. Do you practice your rituals or spirituality alone, or in a community environment?

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

Mary Haasdyk

What makes International Avenue unique? Mary is looking to involve people in personifying International Avenue and the surrounding area. You can meet Mary in person at the Forest Lawn Library on Thursday, January 16 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

For more information on Mary Haasdyk and the art she creates, please visit her website https://maryhaasdyk.com

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Character Traits

3a. What would the character’s personality be like?
3b. What would the character’s style be like?
3c. How old would they be?
3d. What would be their favourite colour?
3e. What type of hair style would they have?

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

Eric & Mia

Calgary artists Eric & Mia will explore the role that food and vegetation play in the cultural fabric of International Avenue and the Greater Forest Lawn area. You can meet the artists at the Forest Lawn Library, on Tuesday, January 28 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

For more information on Eric & Mia, and the art they create, please visit their website: http://www.ericandmia.ca

Specific sights, tastes, and smells are often associated with the idea of being home. Think about the foods, spices, or objects that you encounter at home or in your neighbourhood when answering the questions below.

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2. What flavours or tastes do you associate with International Avenue?
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5. What role do plants play in your life?

Check all that apply.

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

Adrian Stimson

For more information on Adrian Stimson , please visit his website http://adrianstimson.com.


1. What are some traditions that are important to you in your culture? This could include spiritual practices, social habits or community-based events/activities that are of significance. Please reply with text or images or both!

2. What cultures do you think of most when you think about International Avenue and the Greater Forest Lawn Area today?

Pick top 3.

3. Are you aware of any Indigenous history in the Greater Forest Lawn area?
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The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.


Next Steps

When Phase 2 Part 2 engagement concludes, the information gathered will be presented in a final What We Heard Report to be posted publicly on this website. As data is obtained, it will be shared with the project team and the artists to ensure the process runs as efficiently as possible.