Public Art
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About the Mural This mural was made possible through funds supplied by the Embrace the Outdoors grant offered through Parks Foundation Calgary and the City of Calgary.
Ohkoi’sski Ohkoi’sski is the Blackfoot word for track.
Track /trak/ noun a mark or line of marks left by a person, animal, or vehicle in passing.
Former Innisfail residents, Ryan Jason Allen Willert (Siksika Nation) and Karen Scarlett (4th generation Alberta settler) collaborated to create this mural on the East side of the Alexandra Centre Society building in Inglewood. The mural has two separate but connected pieces.
First, the mural on the wall depicts eagle feathers, animal tracks and the confluence of the Elbow and Bow Rivers. Both artists felt the symbolism in the mural mattered most. The eagle feather is the feather of a golden eagle that has lost his spots and is now an adult eagle. Animal tracks were chosen as an inspiration to be active. As the artists worked together on the mural they discussed how our community has become separated through colonialism and racism. The animal tracks represent life before Settler and Indigenous cultures became divided. The red river is a symbol of life's blood and shows the confluence of the Elbow and Bow rivers. This is an important and special place in Calgary both physically and spiritually. It also depicts our cultures coming together.
The second part of the mural is our fun hopscotch game on the sidewalk in front of the mural.
Ryan and Karen had originally designed the hopscotch game to incorporate animal and human tracks but when they were on site painting, they decided that the first National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada was just a few days away and they needed to create a special moment to honour all of the lives affected by the Residential Schools. The artists chose to use small childrens footprints in orange as a tribute to them and create a place where families could have conversation around truth and reconciliation.
As we move through the world, we leave our trace... our essence … our Ohkoi’sski.
PLAY OUR GAMES
Find the Ohkoi’sski Find the tracks on the mural and which ones were made by these Alberta animals: (hint, there are only four correct answers)
Áápomahkihkinaa.. (Mountain goat) Omahkatayo….... (mountain lion) Kiááyo…………. (bear) Ponoká……… (elk) Áwákaasii………... (deer) Omahkai’stoo….. (raven) Iiníí………… (bison) Makóyi….………... (wolf) Ksísskstaki....... (beaver) Míísinsski………... (badger)
Ohkoi’sski Hopscotch Hopscotch is a popular game played around the world. There are various rules/versions. You can make up your own rules or find all kinds of information about hopscotch here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopscotch
Most importantly, get hopping and having fun!
The Artists
Ryan Jason Allen Willert instagram.com/stonegrowth Ryan Jason Allen Willert is a professional artist and muralist living in Red Deer, Alberta.
Ryan was born and raised in Southern Alberta. Although he was brought up in a non-Indigenous community, he has since reconnected with his Blackfoot roots (Siksika Nation) carrying many titles. Ryan learned the art of black ink drawing and sales from his father Richard (Dicky) Stimson, another artist from the Siksika Nation; and continues to grow as a traditional Blackfoot artist.
You can see Ryans murals and commissions across Alberta and around the world.
Karen Scarlett karenscarlett.com Karen Scarlett grew up fourth-generation on the family dairy farm west of Innisfail, Alberta. She has made art her entire life.
Karen has been inspired by the people, places, flora and fauna that have surrounded her throughout her life.You could call her a self taught artist although she will tell you she learns from everyone around her and loves to create, share and teach what she has learned.
Karen lives in Calgary, Alberta where she works from her studio. You can find her work in public, corporate and private collections in Alberta and around the world.
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The Alexandra Centre has been adorned with new art along 9th Avenue. The set of 4 art panels bring together content, cultures, history, community, and artists to create… Convergence. Prints will come framed and signed by the artists. Prints are available for $95 each. Once the prints are available, you will be contacted to confirm your purchase. We hope you enjoy the Convergence artwork as much as we do! Find out more information on the Convergence art project here: https://alexandracentresociety.org/public-art/convergence
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Project Title: Convergence The confluence of the Elbow and Bow Rivers is a special place in Southern Alberta. This art piece celebrates many special and little known details of the Inglewood/Ramsay area, home to the Alexandra Centre Society. These panels draw numerous elements together; we celebrate history, cultures, and community through their creation. The colours of the panels--red, blue, green, and white--have cultural significance, and were inspired by the Metis sash. The red ribbon floating across the panels was inspired by imagery from a 100 year-old map of the rivers, was overlaid onto the panels to represent the ties that connect and converge our cultures. It is also evocative of the chinook arch that all Calgarians can see from time-to-time on the Western horizon. Red also seemed to be the obvious choice as it connects us to Calgary’s branding, represents the blood of life, and is used as a celebratory colour in many cultures. Content, cultures, history, community, and artists all come together to create… Convergence.
Individual Panel Names + Descriptions Tipi’s: Winter Count by Smith Wright Tent Town; Following the Railroad by Karen Scarlett Red River Cart: Metis Arrive by Edwin McGowan McVittie’s Cabin; Calgary’s First House by Karen Scarlett
Artist Biographies Karen Scarlett Edwin McGowan Smith Wright
Acknowledgements Funding: The Alexandra Centre Society would like to thank the City of Calgary and private donors that supported the Convergence art project. In-Kind Donation: The ACS would also like to thank Calibre Construction for donating their time and labor to assist us with hanging the exterior art murals. Special Support: The ACS would like to thank Troy Patenaude, Director of Cultural Development with Fort Calgary for his contributions to the project.
Prints Pre-Order Information: Please visit our webpage for information on how to pre-order framed art prints of the Convergence panels! https://alexandracentresociety.org/convergence-framed-art-prints
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