Indigenous artists to create installations at new library

Among plans for $500K Placemaking project is large mural by main entrance

The Calgary Public Library has announced the six artists who will participate in the $500,000 Indigenous Placemaking project at the new Central branch.

The artists are all from or have a connection to the Treaty 7 territory and will be creating permanent art installations at the library, which is scheduled to open on Nov. 1.

Keegan Starlight, Kalum Teke Dan and Roland Rollinmud will collaborate on a mural for the library’s main entrance.

Lionel Peyachew will be creating a life-size buffalo sculpture made up of metal letters spelling out words in Indigenous languages. It will be on the stairs leading to the mezzanine level.

Glenna Cardinal will create a table and furniture on the fourth level, which is where Brittney Bear Hat will also create a text-based piece.

Both will be part of the Elders’ Guidance Circle.

Indigenous Placemaking at the Calgary Public Library began when library staff and members of the Indigenous Place-Making Council of Canada visited the Stoney Nation, Siksika Nation, Tsuu’tina Nation, Metis Nation of Alberta and Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary to discuss the placemaking process.

The Place-Making Council of Canada’s mandate is a non-profit organization that “restores Indigenous presence to the fabric of our cities, towns and communities.”

The Indigenous Placemaking project at the library is designed to create a “welcoming environment where Indigenous people can feel their culture reflected in an urban setting and where all library visitors can learn about the original inhabitants of the land that we also call Calgary,” said Shereen Samuels, vice-chair of the Calgary Public Library Board.

More Indigenous arts projects for the new Central Library will be announced in 2019.