Spruce Cliff Community Sign

A collaboration between Calgary artists Oksana Kryzhanivska and Sisay Shimeles, the designs for the artwork were conceived during multi-cultural art workshops with Spruce Cliff community members that focused on cross-cultural and traditional ways of art making. With the goal of uniting multicultural artists and building stronger community ties that would highlight Spruce Cliff's identity, participants produced paintings that were incorporated into the final art pieces. The workshops allowed residents to make a permanent mark in the Spruce Cliff community while celebrating and bringing together different cultural perspectives. In addition to incorporating community member's paintings, the artists lent their culturally inspired imagery to this work. During the day, the sign shows a bright and diverse collage. At night, the backlit artwork gives nod to connectedness through cultural identity. Active and passive users of this facility will all see themselves reflected in these paintings which enliven the architecture of the centre's main wall. Spanning almost 90 feet, this multi-painting installation features skaters, hockey players and spectators, ensuring visitors know about the diversity of activities available throughout the complex. Similarly, colours and stripes which are incorporated throughout the composition were directly inspired by the markings found on the gym floors within the facility; animating the motion captured in the figures, providing a sense of spontaneity and fun.

A collaboration between Calgary artists Oksana Kryzhanivska and Sisay Shimeles, the designs for the artwork were conceived during multi-cultural art workshops with Spruce Cliff community members that focused on cross-cultural and traditional ways of art making. With the goal of uniting multicultural artists and building stronger community ties that would highlight Spruce Cliff's identity, participants produced paintings that were incorporated into the final art pieces. The workshops allowed residents to make a permanent mark in the Spruce Cliff community while celebrating and bringing together different cultural perspectives. In addition to incorporating community member's paintings, the artists lent their culturally inspired imagery to this work. During the day, the sign shows a bright and diverse collage. At night, the backlit artwork gives nod to connectedness through cultural identity. Active and passive users of this facility will all see themselves reflected in these paintings which enliven the architecture of the centre's main wall. Spanning almost 90 feet, this multi-painting installation features skaters, hockey players and spectators, ensuring visitors know about the diversity of activities available throughout the complex. Similarly, colours and stripes which are incorporated throughout the composition were directly inspired by the markings found on the gym floors within the facility; animating the motion captured in the figures, providing a sense of spontaneity and fun.