There is a lack of public art in northeast Calgary compared to other quadrants. The Northeast Public Art initiative will bring several public art projects to Calgary’s northeast communities, support local artists, enhance northeast neighbourhoods and reflect the people who live in the communities where art will be located.

In 2021 we asked for your ideas on what kind of public art should be created, where it should be located and what stories the public art should tell. Your thoughtful contributions helped us to build the overall project plan and issue artist calls.

In 2022, we hired three local artists, Day Pajarillo, Apiow Akwai and Vikram Johal, to create a bench, bike rack and picnic table. Northeast community members provided input on what they would like to see incorporated in the artists’ concepts. The artists are now working on design and fabrication and these first three projects are expected to be installed in 2023. Artist Sumer Singh went out to the community later in the year and will be designing and installing a sculpture at the Genesis Centre as part of this project.

In 2023, two Calgary artists, Sydonne Warren and Mide Kadiri, have been chosen to create the public art murals on the piers/pillars supporting the 64 Avenue NE pedestrian bridge over Metis Trail.

You can see the completed projects by visiting this page: NE public art projects (calgary.ca)

Northeast public art mural project

The public art murals will be painted on piers/pillars supporting the 64 Avenue NE pedestrian bridge over Metis Trail. The bridge is a prominent piece of infrastructure that connects Mcknight-Westwinds CTrain Station with the industrial/business complex that houses businesses and organizations. This location is a highly visible spot in the northeast and is used by pedestrians, transit riders, and seen by thousands of Calgarians city-wide as they commute along one of Calgary’s major roadways. These murals will have a broad and lasting impact on the surrounding area and will become a landmark for visitors and residents alike.

In preparation for the project’s design, the artists have completed some initial engaging with NE youth to get ideas for what they’d like to see on the murals. It’s anticipated that painting of these murals will begin later this summer.

As part of the Northeast Public Art initiative, these murals will have a broad and lasting impact on the surrounding area and will become a landmark for visitors and residents alike.

Sydonne Warren will act as the lead/mentor artist and Mide Kadiri as the emerging/mentee artist.

Engagement will run from June 28 - July 28, 2023.

The purpose of The City of Calgary is to make life better every day. To fully realize our purpose, we are committed to addressing racism and other forms of discrimination with our programs, policies, and services and eliminating barriers that impact the lives of Indigenous, Racialized and other marginalized people. It is expected that participants will behave respectfully and treat everyone with dignity and respect to allow for safe spaces free from bias and prejudice.