Ernie Starr Arena Public Art Project

The Canadian Reveal

Local neighbourhood vintage signs take on new meaning when viewed through the eyes of a hockey fan.​

Michelle Getzlaf, is a Calgary-based artist who was selected through a competitive City selection process to create an artwork at the Ernie Starr arena. The artist worked with the community members to develop the concept for the public artwork that celebrates the site and reflects the importance of this facility to the local community. The budget for this public art was $40,000, and it was completed in 2017.

Michelle Getzlaf works in the medium of glass mosaics. She specializes in community art and has worked as an Artist in Residence at many Calgary schools. For the project at Ernie Starr, the inspiration came from the pop culture look of vintage signs located in Forest Lawn in order to honour the history of the neighbourhood. The reinterpretation of advertising as seen through the eyes of a hockey fan. The installation demonstrates a contemporary viewpoint by combining the ancient art of mosaics and a current subject matter.

From the artist: “"The Ancient Art of Mosaics are currently being revived in a way that is both new and modern," says Getzlaf. "What excites me is reworking this ancient art form into something a little unexpected with a definite nod towards today's pop culture. I hope to achieve this with the Ernie Starr Arena art project in Forest Lawn," explains Getzlaf. "Located between a high school and local swimming pool, I will give the community something very vibrant. My inspiration came from the world of pop-art combined with a hit of popular Canadiana."

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