Rosemary Kennedy | Articles & Photos

This past year has deprived Albertans of cultural favourites like concerts , plays , and eating out . Therefore , it was auspicious to learn about the downtown murals that provide both a cultural and outdoor experience . With several friends , we started organizing small group walks to see the outdoor murals in the Beltline area and then beyond .

The ongoing Calgary BUMP ( Beltline Urban Mural Project at yycbump . ca ) started in 2017 . Different artists have completed murals on buildings in the Beltline area , between 17 ^th Avenue and 10 ^th Avenue and between Macleod Trail and 14 ^th Street . Submissions are accepted each spring , and work is completed during the summer . Some murals loom over the street while others are hidden gems , tucked away in tiny alleys . Styles vary from abstract to realistic , and subject matter reflects diverse interests and concerns . Artists are both local and international .

Some artists have chosen to reflect the businesses that dwell within , such as the tropical scene on the Simply Irie Caribbean Restaurant , the writing materials on the back of Shelf Life Books , and the interior of the barber shop shown on its outside wall .

Indigenous artists are represented by several works . Tsuut ’ ina artist Nathan Meguinis has completed a symbolic panorama of Treaty Seven culture in brilliant colours entitled Buffalo Nations Stand and Be Noticed . It can be difficult to find as it ’ s in a tiny alley off 1 ^st Street , but it ’ s well worth the effort . In Nathan ’ s work , every colour and element is suffused with meaning .

Other murals are designed just to bring a smile , like the giant squirrel with a tiny human in its paw . Another work portrays two cats among an array of bird houses , leaving the viewer to wonder whether the birds will escape or the cats will pounce . The pink and green Monsters and Robots is fun to examine with its strange multi-eyed heads but also has a possible message about diversity .

Themes from nature are found in murals of birds , a cougar , and local flowers . Real people can be discovered too . Kevin Ledo portrays Angela Gladue , a traditional fancy dress and hoop dancer . Alex Kwong presents his take on Da Vinci ’ s Mona Lisa with his portrait Simona Lisa , which shows local textile artist

Simone Saunders .

Troy Lovegate ’ s huge painting of a person holding a flower towers over 17 ^th Avenue . Upon closer inspection , one finds multiple images hidden in the body , including a train , fire hydrant , nest , dinosaur , and pig . Searching for these items can keep one engaged for quite some time as cars arrive and exit the parking lot . Another large mural by Ola

Volo shows a princess riding a horse . The artwork has a strong folkloric element , perhaps reminiscent of the artist ’ s Kazakh background .

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