Nearly 20 new murals will be painted in Okotoks over the next few months.

The Town of Okotoks has announced that 11 artists have been selected to paint 19 murals in town over roughly the next five months.

They were selected after the Town solicited a call for artists back in February for five planned public art projects.

It was their first time putting out such a request, and they were met with 43 submissions.

Respect for the Land Mural at the Arts & Learning Campus Plaza – Stoney Nakoda artist Gordon Wesley will paint a mural depicting the river crossing site as it looked before colonization.

  • Gordon Wesley

Municipal Centre Windows – Two artists will paint festive murals on the Municipal Centre's windows to celebrate the Stampede/Summer and Light-Up events. 

  • Aly Tucker – Light-Up Mural
  • Komal Bishnoi – Stampede Mural

Safe Pathway Murals – Four artists will paint nine murals to add colour and communicate pathway safety messaging.

  • Aly Tucker
  • Jessica Taylor
  • Sarah Johnson
  • Stephanie Studzinski

Elevate the Elevator – Three artists will paint performing arts-themed murals on the elevator doors at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre.

  • Claudia Weigelsberger
  • Komal Bishnoi
  • Yiting Hui

Beautiful Bin – Four artists will design and paint four garbage receptacles for the Okotoks Recreation and Foothills Centennial Centre.

  • Aly Tucker
  • Sterling Smith
  • Cecilia Leddy
  • Whitney Thompson

In total, the contracts for the projects add up to $43,750.

The projects are in support of the town's public art policy passed in 2023, which aims to " create an art-rich environment in Okotoks and recognized that this investment goes beyond enhancing aesthetics. Public art acts as a catalyst for economic vitality, attracting tourists, fostering community pride, and stimulating local businesses."

Related Stories