I have photographed many outdoor murals in Edmonton over the past two years. It’s something I began early in the pandemic because it was an activity where I could ride my bike and be outdoors. There’s lots out there to find and lots of talented artists. Many of those artists are Indigenous – in this post I’d like to highlight a few.

The Birds and Forrest Wall on Jasper Avenue and 104 Street I discovered when out for a walk during my lunch break from work. Downtown is truly a concrete jungle and I don’t walk to explore it’s grey facades. Mostly I’m thinking exercise so it’s a treat to discover street art. This piece by Destiny Swiderski is just off Beaver Hills House Park, Amiskwacîw Wâskâyhkan Ihâtwin. The Métis artist from BC transformed the back alley into an award-winning connector between Michael Phair Park and Beaver Hills House Park. With a focus on safety in the once dark alley Swiderski wanted to create a story which she did with 150 copper silhouettes of Bohemian waxwings swooping over a lodgepole forest. She enlisted the help of individuals from Edmonton organizations like iHuman and the Canadian Native Friendship Centre as collaborators. As knowledge holders and elders they became her teachers.

This next mural you may have seen if you’ve driven along 95 Street just north of 106 Avenue. It was created by Lance Cardinal for The Works Art and Design Festival.

ᓇᐢᐸᓯᓇᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᐣ NASPASINAHIKEWIN

The Cree Syllabics translates to naspasinahikewin which means Art in Cree. Cardinal says it’s “such an honour to be creating something so bright that celebrates who we are in a good way and provides more opportunity to learn about our culture and language.”

You may also recognize his name as an Indigenous consultant with the Edmonton Oilers. His design that honours Turtle Island is colourful and celebrates hockey, sports and Indigenous people.

You may not have stumbled upon these next two murals of women tucked into the alley behind dc3 Art Gallery at 105 Avenue and 111 Street in Queen Mary Park. The gallery commissioned these pieces by Lauren Crazybull in March 2020. 

Lauren Crazybull is a Niitsítapi, Dené painter. In her work Crazybull interrogates how Indigenous identities have been historically represented and understood through visual culture. 

Back over on 95 St just north of 107 Avenue you’ll find the Hope: Round Dance Mural by Kris Freisen. Freisen sees art as transformative and transcending culture, age and gender. Human interaction is at the core of his work and that can be readily seen in this Giants of Edmonton mural that honours Hope Hunter and celebrates her work with Boyle Street Community Services. Hope is a mural inspired and influenced by First Nations people in Edmonton and promotes the cultural aspects of inclusion, diversity, and putting people first.

Freisen tells us the figures painted in a round dance weave into a striped band that is a graphic representation of the earth. As all of the people are a part of this band they belong to the earth together. Beneath is another band, this time yellow with stones or eggs that each hold different family or group dynamics. The idea here is to show the cycle of birth and rebirth, of endless possibilities. In the middle of the figures a medicine wheel and an eagle feather are painted representing the Aboriginal community as the foundation for all peoples here in Edmonton. 

I haven’t been able to find out the name of the artist who did the murals at Bissell Centre on 105 Ave and 96 Street. Bissell is a critical component to healing Edmonton and many of the Centre’s clients are survivors or inter-generational survivors of the abusive residential school program. They often turned to risky behaviours to ease the pain of their past and eventually turn to Bissell and similar agencies for help. 

Bissell encourages the revival and continuation of cultural practices. They have done a lot for the community over the years including developing  the Strengthening Our Spirit program that combines Aboriginal teachings and sharing circles with life skills and pre-employment training. Programs like Cree language and art classes allow Bissell to contribute to reconciliation.

The youth at iHuman Youth Society created the next set which you can find at 96 Street and 102A Avenue. The front and alley sides of the building also have art that changes frequently as new pieces are created. iHuman Studios engages youth through creative endeavours such as music, fashion, visual art and performance studios. iHuman has helped hundreds of youth beat the odds and become contributing members of society.

This last one doesn’t have an artist signature but I wanted to include it because the colours are so vibrant and add much to the rail core behind the Canadian Linen Building across from the Stadium. If you walk around a bit you’ll see more.

What a treat to be able to explore Jasper National Park in the snow and ice. Even in the frigid temperatures we were able to visit some beautiful spots and, with brief stints of removing my -30 degree rated mitts, take pictures. Thanks to a hand warmer I left with my almost frozen fingers intact. Our first stop was Pyramid Lake and Mountain overlooking the town of Jasper. Pyramid Lake was one of many small lakes left behind by retreating glaciers. In summer it’s a popular spot for fishing and paddling and in the winter, if it’s not too cold, there are some great hikes. 

Next we headed south to Sunwapta Falls and Canyon. The road in was closed for the winter and we planned to walk in. When we got there we discovered there was nowhere to park and we had to drive along the narrow path made by others driving in. From the small parking lot it was a short walk to the falls, spectacular with the snowy ice caked on the trees. There are two falls, a lower and an upper one. The water originates from the Athabasca Glacier and water volumes are at their peak in early summer because of glacial melting.

On the way back to the town site we stopped at Athabasca Falls, just west of the Icefields Parkway. It is a powerful waterfall due to the force of large quantities of water falling into the gorge. Even on a cold winter day water continues to flow. There were lots of great spots to view and take pictures from viewing platforms and walking trails. If you’re so inclined, in warmer weather, Whitewater rafting starts below the falls to travel downstream on the Athabasca River.

It doesn’t take a lot of luck to see wildlife in the park. We saw Mountain sheep, deer and a male moose. Elk were in abundance and this pair obliged me with a photo shoot. Although I had to be quick before they moved off to a safe distance.

It’s hard to beat the Canadian Rockies. We are extremely fortunate to have its splendour so close by.

Chan Chu the money toad represents a popular Feng Shui charm for prosperity. This mythical creature is said to appear during the full moon near houses or businesses that will soon receive good news. No wonder it was chosen to adorn the front of Sideshow Fabrication and Paint on 98 street in Edmonton’s Chinatown. Artist Jordoh of Graffiti Salad, known for many murals in the city painted this one in 2020. Jordoh has been spray painting murals for over ten years. Look for his other works downtown, on 124 street or the side of the Running Room store. I’m continually amazed at what an artist such as Jordoh can do with a can of spray paint.

Year of the Pig and Year of the Rat mural on the side of Lucky 97 Supermarket was done for Rust Magic 2019 by artist Rath, known as Heavy Lox. Lucky 97 is surrounded by many at-risk humans who need support. Heavy Lox acknowledges these folks and a need for love in their lives and all our lives. And some cool art doesn’t hurt. There’s murals on the back of the building, too.

Pigs are a symbol of wealth in Chinese culture. Those born in the Year of the Pig are usually considered to be realistic. Not wasteful spenders but they enjoy life and love entertainment. I was born in the Year of the Pig but I’m not saying which one. I will tell you that Pigs are diligent, compassionate and generous. Rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac and represents fertility, reproduction and wealth. Rats also have really good memories, another reason why I know I’m a Pig. 2021 is a Year of the Ox, good for Rat people because the zodiac Ox and the zodiac Rat have a good relationship. The fortunes of Rat people will be smooth this year.

Kris Friesen completed both murals located between buildings on 97 Street at 106 Avenue. The first is Ariose named for the harmony that the property owners were seeking to portray for their neighbourhood. The dragon is being calmed by a flute player and the nine koi fish symbolise prosperity. The lotus flowers stand for purity.

Along the River During the Qingming Festival is a contemporary interpretation of a cherished masterpiece created by Zhang Zeduan 900 years ago during the Song dynasty. The mural was unveiled during the 2018 Chinese New Year parade. Kris Friesen has done many murals in Edmonton with human interaction at their core.

Back to RADO-Alley. There’s so much to see it’s worth multiple visits. I loved this piece by Keon Courtney. The mural stretches across the back of a condo building off Whyte Ave and uses the space to full advantage to highlight a vibrancy that reaches outward framing a strong face. A self-taught visual artist, Keon has always been drawn to portraiture and now finds inspiration in bringing life and soul to his artwork. It is this aspect that drew me to his mural. The woman’s beautifully rendered features suggest a peacefulness amid deep reflection. And it would be hard to argue the splash of purple suggests life.  

This street art was also created in September 2021 as part of the RADO-Alley mural fest. Robyn Schnierer’s Owl and Snake depicts a wildfire battle scene set against a Southern Alberta backdrop of nightscapes and animal anatomy. The mountains rise up to meet the dark sky in what is a quintessential Alberta scene yet with reptiles that characterize the warmer climes of that part of the province. You can almost feel the barren prairie grasslands that house many a skeleton. There is something joyous in the battle between owl and snake, a challenge to step up, to play a part in the unfolding drama of nature itself. I love the colours of the night sky and the way the artist has used the nooks and crannies of the building to enhance the visual image.

Matt Auger-Cardinal created this spectacular bear image. Known as Attilo in his art and music, Auger-Cardinal has a style reflected in this mural of a bear broken down into several little pieces. I see water and I see what could be a brilliant sunset. It could also be fire and I’m left wondering, what is the bear thinking? Is this an environment that is alive with hope or one that’s hurting, that needs help if the bears are to survive. I love his use of colour and design elements to tell a story.

This last one, Chaos, Order, Balance by Nathan Panousis is fun with its bright colours and flowers. I know, there’s also fangs and a forked tongue but as long as you don’t get too close it’ll be fine.

Stop by RADO-Alley for more.

A mural fest in early September resulted in a spectacularly decorated alley on Whyte Avenue. Find it on the north side between 107 and 108 Street. While alleys aren’t always the most recommended places for a walk, Whyte Avenue is an exception. Here you can find colourful murals painted by local and travelling artists throughout the area. The RADO-Alley Mural Fest gave lesser known artists a platform to showcase their talent while revitalizing a stretch of mundane backsides of buildings with art that reflects the businesses they house. 

This beautiful piece by Kerzeka, a dynamic artistic duo from Calgary blends historical inspirations, traditional graffiti flavours and abstract realism to the community.

A couple more stunning pieces featuring women. The first, contemplative, reflective is captivating juxtaposed against the graffiti style wall beside. The second, with its bold colours suggests a strength within.

This mural by award-winning Edmonton artist Josh Harnack reflects the internal dialogue in his pieces, a struggle between the corruption of realism with the surreal.

As the weather cools and with the leaves gone from trees you can still find colour in Edmonton with a visit to Whyte Avenue.