Calgary 
Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission
Looking for something new to do in Calgary while keeping the recommended physical distance? Check out these 25 Public Art Features! You can see many of them from your car or on a walk around the city. Look for local Calgarian artists’ work while you’re out and about. Downtown has also invited many guest artists from all over the world in recent years, so there’s a lot of amazing and inspiring pieces throughout. Enjoy a day of art in your own city on a self-made tour!
These awesome “trees” were a gift from Trizec Hahn Office Properties to the City of Calgary made by The Cohos Evamy Partners in 2000. They are up to 26 metres high with a seasonally themed LED lighting system. Check them out along Stephen Ave by foot or bike.
Wonderland
A Calgarian staple, this 12 metre head created by Jaume Plensa, a Spanish sculptor, is meant to embody the hopes and dreams of young Albertans. You can see this from your car, but it’s a great one to interact with as you can walk right into the mind of the sculpture!
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Peace Bridge
Photo Credit: Travel Alberta
Completed in 2012 by Santiago Calatrava, the Peace Bridge quickly became THE place to get instagram photos, business shots, and new pics for your dating app. Check it out on a walk along the river, or from your car from Memorial Drive.
The Conversation
William McElcheran made this bronze statue of two men shaking hand on a business deal in 1981. On Stephen Ave, it’s meant to share the many, many stories of healthy business deals done in Calgary. It’s a fun one to join in on, as it was meant to be interactive.
Ram’s Horn
Also known as the Weaving Fence and Horn, John McEwan built this 8 foot tall, 12 foot long sculpture at the TransCanada Centre. It serves more than just the purpose of public art, it also mitigates wind vortexes. It is made of recycled steel and you can drive past it to take a look.
Chinook Arc
Finished in June 2014 by Joe O’Connell and Blessing Hancock, this illuminated beauty was inspired by the chinook arch clouds that often float over Calgary. Drive past it or go right up and look into the beautiful lights.
Wolfe and Sparrows
Brandon Vickerd was challenged to build a sculpture that encompassed the Inglewood area. He ended up with Wolfe and Sparrows, that he says challenges western thinking and combines history, critical thinking, and the relationship between settlers and indigenous peoples. This cast bronze sculpture can be seen walking Inglewood paths or from the street in your car.
Family of Man
These 6.5 metre tall aluminum figures, near Calgary Board of Education building, were a gift to the city in 1968. They came from an exhibit at the British Pavilion at the 1967 Montreal Expo, and they were originally scattered all around the pavilion, but then they showed up in Calgary, there were no instructions, so they were placed in a circle. You can see these from your car.
Confluence
This mixed media mural is over 162 metres spanning the screening walls on each side of the Martindale LRT platforms. Check it out on your next ride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83sWl1T6_Gg&feature=youtu.be
Corridor of Connection Mural
Calgarian Michelle Hoogveld spent seven weeks on this 950 foot mural that runs along both sides of the 4th street underpass. She used 70 gallons of paint and a lot in influence from her friends, the city, and nature.
Northern Hills Mural
This is the longest mural in Canada! It was painted by about 700 Calgarians within 3 days in August 2018. It’s about 2400 feet long. It tells the story of Calgary from glacial times to current day. It can be seen by car driving through the Northern Hills Community.
Bridge
The East Village Murals, known as Bridge, was done by Katie Green, with a lot of community work and neighborhood outreach involved. All of the people pictured are real residents of the area with masks they created.
Fluke Mural
This epic mural was made by Fluke Art in Calgary as part of the BUMP mural festival. You can see it in the Beltline from your car.
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To Be Seen
Another BUMP mural from 2019, this amazing mural by Lacey and Layla shows the deep connection every person deserves, and the visibility everyone deserves. Can be seen from the car or along the sidewalk.
Migrations
Indian/Canadian artist Fathima Mohiuddin, also known as Fats Patrol, is stunning and special. It reminds people of the experience of immigration, borders, displacement, and freedom. Check it out from your car along 11th Ave.
DAleast
This epic bird was made by DAleast, an artist with signature murals all over the world. You can see this on a drive through downtown.
Blackfoot Singer
Calgary artist, Kalum Teke Dan, completed this amazing mural in 2018 as part of that years’ BUMP festival. It explores the spirit of his people, and reconciliation through art. Check it out on your next drive down 17th Ave.
Silence(d)
Reza Nik is an interdisciplinary artist who uses his talents to explore the environment that we’ve built and to reduce thinking in absolutes. You can see this as you head down 11th Ave by car or foot.
Labrona
Head to Inner City Brewing to see this amazing piece by Labrona, one of Montreal’s most iconic street artists.
TheKidBelo
David Brunning, also known as TheKidBelo, is an internationally acclaimed artist from Calgary. His work ranges from bold and colourful, to subtle and minimal. Check this piece out from your car or on foot.
Strength and Fragility
Check out this amazing mural by artist Luke Ramsay at Alpha House downtown. He made it for this space to remind people it’s okay to be fragile, and there’s always strength inside.
Mary Haasdyk
This whimsical piece is by Calgarian Mary Haasdyk. Its beautiful colours and themes are sure to delight all who pass by! You can see it from your car or on foot.
Kevin Cardinal
This shape-driven mural has many stories in one. Kevin Cardinal is of Woodland Cree heritage and uses his experiences travelling and in spiritual ceremonies to create themes of courage and humility. Check it out on your next drive.
Guido Van Helten
This Australian born artist, who has projects all over the world, created this piece for BUMP in 2019. Guido van Helten explores the community through murals and photographs. See it while on a drive or walk.
Credit: Bump Festival
Runt
Alex Currie, known as RUNT in the artist world, creates amazingly colourful and fun yet thoughtful murals. This one on 8th Ave is no different! Check it out by car or on foot.
The Fourth Street SW Underpass Enhancement
Credit: The Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative Inc.
The Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative Inc won National Urban Design Awards certificate of merit for Urban Fragments category with their understated design of the pass, by turning a negative pedestrian experience into something positive. The physical state of disrepair of the underpass—limited accessibility, poor lighting levels, and overall deterioration of materials—required immediate attention. In response, the Fourth Street SW Underpass Enhancement Project is founded on the notion of reclaiming this space of removal as a space for conversation.
By: Carrie is a freelance writer and editor who enjoys writing songs, cooking new vegan dishes, and being a plant mom. She loves living in Calgary and pretending she likes the snow.