Thank You!
Updated Sept 28, 2020
A big thank you to our muralists Jarett Sitter and Nicole Wolf, who created a-one-of-a-kind, art installation in The Parade Square! From September 9-28, we engaged with over 350 students, school administrators and staff to bring life to this space. What started out as a big ‘welcome back’ gesture, became an impactful effort in community-building, cooperative creativity, and creating new connections.
And thank you to our school partners too for helping us create Calgary’s largest colouring page: Horizon Leadership Academy, Clear Water Academy, New Heights School and Banbury Crossroads.
Until the rain or snow washes away this larger-than-life mural, feel free to colour in anytime.
COVID-19 Safety Precaution:
The art installation is designed so that safe distancing can be achieved. However, we are encouraging visitors to please wear a mask, bring hand sanitizer, and maintain physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Per AHS Standards, should you have any related symptoms, have travelled outside of Canada or have had any contact with someone exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days, we respectfully ask that you do not attend.
The Chalk Art is Ready!
Updated Sept 23, 2020
Calgary’s largest concrete colouring page on The Parade Square is now complete and so, we are inviting families to help colour it in and add your imagination to the artwork.
Please note, you will need to bring your own chalk to get in on the fun.
So pack up your chalk and do your part now through September 28th, to add colour into Currie.
40% of the Chalk Art Installation is unveiled
Updated Sept 18, 2020
Artists Nicole Wolf and Jarett Sitter unveiled the chalk art on Wednesday to the students, families and residents of Currie.
The local media and students from Horizon Elementary School and Clear Water Academy showed up to add their own creative touches to the 6,000 sq-ft colouring book.
Each space of the design focuses on different elements, such as the history of pilots in Currie, Morse code, and school subjects. For Jarett and Nicole, they couldn’t be happier to see the students interacting with the art.
“It’s super rewarding to see all the kids interacting with our drawings and playing with it in some ways we never expected.” – Jarett Sitter
Currie is creating Calgary’s largest colouring page on The Parade Square to welcome children and school staff back to school
Updated September 14, 2020
It’s back-to-school time again and this year we’re making it extra special for Currie kids with the gift of art. Colour in Currie is a community art initiative designed to brighten our neighbourhood kids’ first month back at school and to say thank you after they exemplified kindness and creativity over the spring and summer like no other.
Our Initiative
Colour in Currie is an effort on behalf of Canada Lands Company to encourage community involvement in everyday Currie life. It aims to activate the heart of Currie, allows students to connect to local artists in person, and participate in public art. The Parade Square acts as a large outdoor canvas ensuring that children and caretakers can safely engage with the art.
About The Parade Square
The Parade Square sits at the heart of the community. This significant space was created by the Canadian Armed Forces to accommodate regimental training exercising and special gatherings. This Provincially designated heritage landscape has been the face of Currie to Calgarians for 80 years behind the Currie Barracks gates, off Crowchild. Today, The Parade Square is surrounded by five Calgary schools and over 1,000 kids use this space to play, learn, and grow, including:
- Access Academy
- Banbury Crossroads School
- Clear Water Academy (who is also celebrating the opening of their new building this fall)
- Horizon Elementary School
- New Heights School & Learning Services
Come by and see a piece of Calgary history for yourself as The Parade Square becomes a hub of community spirit once again.
The Art
To celebrate the kids attending the schools near The Parade Square, Canada Lands Company has tapped two Calgary artists to complete an enormous chalk mural on the asphalt canvas. The choice of chalk is evocative of the children’s sidewalk chalk drawings that brought so much positivity and delight to the community over the spring and summer. It also pairs with the historic Parade Square to embody timeless family fun and the simple joy of playing outside.
The mural itself will become Calgary’s largest colouring page with bright colours and whimsical designs. Images in the mural will draw upon themes of school subject, local wildlife, favourite childhood activities, and Canadian military references. The outline will be completed in semi-permanent paint, then filled in with chalk. While the chalk will wash away, the outline will remain for kids to colour in season after season. The mural will also include activity centres specifically designed by the artists to allow children and families to socially distance while adding to the overall art installation.
The Artists
NICOLE WOLF
Nicole Wolf is a Calgary-based artist with a passion for sharing underreported stories. Her work explores spirituality, humanity, and what it means to feel at home.
Learn more at nicolewolfdesign.com
JARETT SITTER
Illustrator Jarett Sitter plays on nostalgic elements to bring forward peculiar worlds. Characters in his environments embrace discovery, exploration, and creativity.
Learn more at jaretts.com
