Visitors to Arts Commons, or those passing by the Olympic Plaza transformation, will undoubtedly notice that the white barriers surrounding the site have been replaced with something more beautiful.

Many things more beautiful, in fact, as CMLC and Arts Commons unveiled a series of public artworks to enhance the construction hoarding around the site on Feb. 21.

Six local emerging artists were chosen by CMLC to display their work along the walls while construction is ongoing for the next several years.

Placing the works of art throughout the site helped to fulfill Arts Commons’ mandate to make the arts accessible to all, even as Arts Commons is being transformed.

“That’s what I find remarkable about this collaboration and about the work that these artists have made: It is certainly beautifying what could otherwise be considered an eyesore, but it’s also a celebration of who we are and who we’re becoming. So, it’s incredibly appropriate,” said Arts Commons CEO Alex Sarian.

“We wanted to honour that process and invite others into the creativity of our community.”

Emma Stevens, Director of Communications and External Relations for CMLC, said that a competitive RFP issued by CMLC initially attracted 16 artists, which then led to a final six being selected for the project.

Alumni from the RBC Emerging Artist Program at Arts Commons Anthony T. Russell, Harvey Nichol, Josee Palacio, and Laura Caraballo were selected, alongside Arts Commons educators Chish and Paula Timm.

“These emerging local artists have developed 20 unique pieces of art for the construction site, and you can see about half of them already on site today, with more to come in the coming months,” said Stevens.

“We know that art not only contributes to a vibrant, revitalized downtown but also also shapes the way that Calgarians interact with their city. I was fortunate to work with these artists through the RFP and selection process, and it was an absolute honour to hear about their practices, their perspectives and their deep connection to Arts Commons.”

Olympic Plaza works expand upon the transformations taking place in Calgary

All of the works were in some way reflective of the transformation of Arts Commons, Olympic Plaza, and the downtown community.

Timm said that she worked with children during Calgary’s Culture Days, all contributing to the common theme of Blue Sky City—Calgary’s new tagline.

“When I was developing the theme, I was looking through the lens of creativity, children, and the Blue Sky City. So, elements of the landscapes and kids and abilities and different races that bring us together here,” Timm said.

“Working with the kids later, as I first developed the work digitally and then let them know what they were going to be a part of that was really where it started to shine for me. I was thinking of, and they were thinking of, the impact that they will have for a few years to come around the transformation of Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza.”

She said that it was exciting to connect the transformation work along with arts education for the children involved.

“I’m just proud to be part of this, and to see my name there is pretty darn cool,” Timm said.

That sentiment was echoed by Palacio, who is also known as La Güita, for her work.

“It’s a big moment of transformation, and the pieces that we have are the hibiscus flower and the swan, and together they showcase a form of renewal and transformation but also provide a lot of beauty to a space that is undergoing tons of transformation,” she said.

“The creative process for me always starts with the Mesoamerican ways of visual storytelling. So, it’s a lot about colour, the boldness of movements and the figures themselves. With all that in mind, I like to pull from my home as American heritage, but also create contemporary pieces that talk about the modern world as well.”

Chish created a community mural that appropriately has been placed along the west-facing side of Olympic Plaza towards Macleod Trail and city hall.

He said his goal was to create a work that celebrated the history of Calgary but also promoted unity. That’s reflected in the name of the mural called Common Unity.

It was developed with public assistance during one of the final events held at the old Olympic Plaza. That was during the Plaza for All celebrations in 2024.

“There’s the bricks at the bottom of the painting that show bricks that were in Olympic Plaza. There’s an Olympic torch. There’s the Calgary tower, which is lit up—they usually light it up during the Olympics. Then there’s hills to show the prairie landscape,” Chish said.

“Then there’s cows as well, because I know we’re in cowtown.”

He said the only thing not included in the mural was what the new Olympic Plaza would look like.

CMLC will reveal those plans in the coming months.