This piece by Courtney Faulkner is titled "sisters," and is one of several designs wrapped onto utility boxes at the University of Lethbridge. (Photo: U of L)

By David Opinko

'bring more art to campus'

Newly-redesigned utility boxes bringing vibrancy to U of L campus

Sep 29, 2024 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Students and faculty at the University of Lethbridge (U of L) might have noticed some new artwork.

A series of utility boxes around the campus have been covered with an array of colourful and vibrant designs.

Back in March, the university unveiled a new mural in the Anderson Hall building by alumni Laurel Scott.

During the event, Executive Director of Student Services Mark Slomp issued a challenge, to “bring more art to campus.”

Jed Mosher from Utilities and Facility Services suggested that artists connected to the U of L could showcase their work by designing vinyl wraps for utility boxes.

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With that, several people submitted their designs and the following artists were chosen:

• Leila Armstrong, ULethbridge PhD candidate
• Jennessa Bates, BFA – Art ’24
• Courtney Faulkner, BFA – Art ’22
• Sidney Frenette-Ling, BFA – Art student
• Lily Hilgersom, community artist
• Cody Pai, MFA – New Media student
• Wayne Provost, BMgt ’21
• Natalia Smith, BFA – Art student

U of L Chancellor Terry Whitehead says he was very impressed by the submissions they received.

“I am honoured to have served on the selection committee for this wonderful campus beautification project. The committee was overwhelmed with the number and quality of the proposals,” says Whitehead.

“We had extremely difficult decisions to make; but at the end of the process, the artists were selected for the beauty their work will bring to our campus.”

The artists worked with a graphic designer to lay out their pieces, which were installed by a fabricator.

The images can now be seen at the following locations:

• North of Lot F: Leila Armstrong, “Striped Skunk” (installed)
• East of Lot F: Lily Hilgersom, “Pieces of Lethbridge” (installed)
• Between Anderson and Markin Hall: Courtney Faulkner, “Sisters” (installed)
• East of Students Union Building: Wayne Provost, “Maaniksistsiko (New Day)” (installed)
• South of Centre for Sport and Wellness: Sidney Frenette-Ling and Cody Pai, “Metamorphosis” (forthcoming)
• West side of Aperture Drive near Aperture Park: Natalia Smith, “Unity” (installed)
• Between Tsuu T’ina House and Mount Blackiston House: Jennessa Bates, “We Started Floating” (forthcoming)

You can look at the designs on the U of L website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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