Electrical box art project completed in Lethbridge

Selected artists included Aaron Hagan, Leila Armstrong, Hali Heavy Shield, G. Wayne Dwornik, Franziska Legg and Rudy Black Plume. They worked with a technical advisory to create digital files that were then printed and installed by Warwick Printing Co.

The organizing groups say the COVID-19 pandemic caused a bit of a roadblock for the project, along with varying weather conditions.

Executive director of the Allied Arts Council, Suzanne Lint said they were excited by each of the submissions, “but we were even more excited as the boxes were installed and the public engaged with each artwork.”

“These works of art play with the environment and could only have been made by artists that have a connection to our city.”

The council noted that the vinyl wrapping not only beautifies the electrical boxes, but also serves to extend their lifespan as a shield to the elements.

A map displaying where each electrical box is located (Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge)

Below is a rundown of each of the artists selected for the project, and the title of their artwork.

AARON HAGAN – Bolts of Creativity

The Lethbridge artist has had a studio for over 15 years and is a graduate in Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge. He is currently the manager of Clay Services at CASA.

Hagan said, “One key element of abstract painting I am exploring is colour relationships. With regard to composition, I attempt to allow the viewers’ eyes to move freely over the picture plane without any key focal point.”

“Because of this I often rotate my canvases during the painting process, as I am always trying to create balance and a non-hierarchical image, which can then be hung multidirectional.”

“Painting for me is all about balance, even when I have a more dynamic composition. I enjoy the challenge of resolving a painting, as I do not have a definitive finished goal in mind when I begin. Each piece is definitely spontaneous and is constantly changing and evolving.”

LEILA ARMSTRONG – Backyard Wilderness

Armstrong currently resides in Lethbridge and is pursuing a PhD at the University of Lethbridge.

She hopes her design will help people “conceive of themselves as dwelling in a shared environment.”

“I worry there is a disconnect between people’s day-to-day lives and their conception of nature as something external and removed. This leads to a concern that we will have no inclination for protecting the biodiversity with which we engage every day.”

“It is clear that urbanisation is one of the most significant environmental issues of our time.1 Given that 81% of Canadians reside in urban centres (Statistics Canada), it is important to understand how city dwellers define and interact with urban wildlife.”

Armstrong added that the goal is to raise awareness about how art can help us all understand our environment and “hopefully shift societal attitudes towards so-called problem animals such as skunks and raccoons.”

“I want to help city dwellers come to see urban wilderness, wildlife, and themselves, as part of nature.”

HALI HEAVY SHIELDS – FryBread Man

A member of the Blood Tribe, Heavy Shields calls Lethbridge and southern Alberta home. She is an educator and emerging artist.

She said that, “using visual/digital art and photography as my main method of art making, the themes and images I propose to work with include plant and animal life native to the area as well as reflections of Blackfoot language and culture.”

“I work with vibrant colours and bold lines that resonate with youth, but are also appreciated by families and older generations.”

G. WAYNE DWORNIK – Colours Swirl

G. Wayne Dwornik has been practicing art and photography in Lethbridge since 1976.

On the topic of the theme of ‘Family, Fun and Play’, “I am proposing [a] photo montage, which would impart the warm emotions of joy that one can experience in our city, at the various events in the different venues, in every season.”

“These events by their nature tend to have a much brighter colour palette. However, I would retain my preferred softer tones, with lower contrast, from my favourite lighting; light overcast, with blue skies behind.”

“This theme demands the inclusion of people, families, children and action, perhaps with a touch of humour as well. My photographic skills tend to shine brighter with this subject matter. Given the nature of our typical late summer arid conditions, the lack of bright colour that we find here over the course of our lengthy winter and early spring seasons, I would gradually mute the colours as they approach the edges of the panels that comprise the utility box. Bright Colours but not stark colours, that is the key.”

FRANZISKA LEGG – Untitled

The local photographer in Lethbridge travels across Southern Alberta documenting abandoned farmsteads.

“My design concept would be incorporating the theme of “place and connection,” in the sense of Grandma or Grandpa’s farmhouse.”

“My style, is my own, I see what I see, and what the houses show me. I try to connect with the building to see what it has to say, what is its story. All images would be of a digital file, minimally edited. My colour palette would be that of old paint, weathered wood, and dusty broken glass.”

RUDY BLACK PLUME – Keystone Species of the Prairie

A member of the Kainai Nation/Blood Tribe, Black Plume is currently completing a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Lethbridge with a major in Native Education and minor in Art.

“As a First Nations person who has lived a majority of my life in Southern Alberta, it’s always been hard to overlook the division

amongst the people, biases and prejudices continue to work against any attempt to reconcile the injustices that have occurred within the Canada’s history.”

“In current times, these biases and prejudices can be witnessed within the comment section of any news article involving First Nations people. I believe this project provides an opportunity to encourage the unification of our community, by highlighting that we are more the same than we are different, we are all human, we all desire respect, love, a sense of belonging and can appreciate a good piece of art.”

“As an artist and future art teacher, my art philosophy is rooted in the belief that art possesses the ability to open our minds and change our perspectives. I believe art can heal and empower people to be better and do better for the greater good of all.”

by Justin Goulet

Electrical box art project completed in Lethbridge

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