The Oki sign at Lethbridge City Hall. (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Indigenous artists invited to submit proposals for downtown art project

Jul 13, 2021 | 10:30 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is seeking Indigenous artists to share their talents.

Through the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee (RLAC), Heart of Our City Committee (HOC) and Public Art Committee (PAC), and Telus, Indigenous artists can apply to design artwork that will be temporarily installed and on display in downtown Lethbridge.

The call for Indigenous artists is intended to coincide with the fifth annual Reconciliation Week in Lethbridge, taking place September 20 to 24, 2021. Artwork will be on display for about six months, between September and January of next year.

In a release, the City of Lethbridge stated that, “the installation of temporary artworks in the downtown is an opportunity to showcase Blackfoot and other Indigenous peoples who call Lethbridge home, in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.”

“This project will bring vibrancy to a currently underutilized window space on the ‘Telus Building’ on 4 Avenue South and encourage community conversation and pedestrian activity.”

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The competition and call is open to all Indigenous artists of all ages, at all levels of their artistic practice. The city noted that preference will be given to Indigenous artists with a strong linkage to Lethbridge and the region. Those interested in applying are asked to submit the following:

• Contact information (incl. email, phone number and address)
• Letter of interest (max. 500 words) that explains why you are interested and a proposed design concept, and should outline the connection to Reconciliation Week’s theme of ‘Voice and Representation’
• Up to five examples of previously created artwork

More information on applying is available here. Proposals are due by 11:59 P.M. on July 26.