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By Jordan Parker

Canada 150 mosaic features nod to Indigenous culture

Dec 28, 2017 | 10:42 AM

A Commemorative Canada 150 photo mosaic will be unveiled this Friday.

The image chosen for the mosaic is Canadian artist Robbie Craig’s Subarctic Bear painting, and photos from the city Canada 150 events will be part of the artwork.

Administrative Supervisor Richelle Richardson, with the city’s culture and heritage department, said they picked a theme for the event that had great meaning.

“The community photo mosaic is commemorative. There were four themes, and we went with the Indigenous theme for Canada 150,” she said.

Richardson is happy with the final result.

“We found (Robbie Craig), and we chose his Subarctic Bear image because it has great meaning for Indigenous people,” she said.

“We took all the pictures from the Canada 150 events and made them the background for the bear. There will be a plaque with a write-up about what this means for the Indigenous people.”

The art installation is a partnership between the City of Grande Prairie’s Canada 150 Committee, chaired by former councillor Helen Rice, Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta, the Art Gallery of Grande and the Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services. 

“The Canada 150 Commemorative photo mosaic will bring the excitement and pride surrounding Canada’s 150th into a local work of art that will be permanently and prominently displayed in our community, and accessible to all,” said Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta CEO Tracey Vavrek in a news release.

“Integrating elements of diversity, inclusiveness, and reconciliation into arts and cultural projects is a powerful step to improve our shared sense of belonging.”

The event will take place at the Montrose Cultural Centre at 11:30 a.m.

 

With files from Glory Przekop

by Jordan Parker