Northeast mini-galleries showcasing 13 local artists this summer

Artists in northeast Calgary are helping add more public art to that part of the city, showcasing their work in mini-galleries at key locationsin various communities.

The City of Calgary projectis helping to address the lack of public art in that quadrant while celebrating diversity and inclusion.

Thirteen local artists are displaying their work in small, secured, glass-fronted boxes. There are 10 of them in the northeast and three in the atrium of the Municipal Building.

"I don't think people are aware of how diverse it is culturallyin the northeast and how much talent is here," said digital designer and illustrator Jem Arcueno, who has her work displayed in the community of Livingston.

"I feel really honoured to see my piece out there to be seen by everybody. I love to show people what the northeast communities have,asides from being on the outskirts of the city. The main point of the artwork is to show there's something out here that we're proud of," said Arcueno.

The first round of the project ran from January through April. A third round will run from September until December featuring a new batch of artists.

"Community response to this project has been spectacular,"saidToyin Oladele, project manager for the northeast public art initiative. "They're always super excited, happy and proud."

"Northeast Calgary has a lovely mix of diverse artists from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The art we're showcasing is quite vibrant, often playful, sometimes thought-provoking and comes in many forms. We hope Calgarians have a chance to appreciate the wide range of pieces," she said.

Oladele says the project also provides possibleemployment opportunities and exposurefor the artists who get toshowcase their work to a wide audience.

The artists are Kat Turner, Allan Niilo, Joshua McDougall, Ralynne Mercredi, Arden Neustaedter, Brittany Baccari (Ivy Voltage), Yirang Kim, Aysha Samrin, Jem Arcueno, Yiting Hui, Zanjeel Anees, Eks Reiand Zoong Nguyn.

Their artworks are now on display a the following locations:

• Municipal Building atrium 800 Macleod Trail S.E.
• Beddington 55 Bedridge WayN.E.
• Crossroads 735 Matador Cres.N.E.
• Falconridge95 Falshire Dr. N.E.
• Livingston 1248 Livingston Way N.E.
• Marlborough Park 6021 Madinah Dr. N.E.
• Martindale110 Martin Crossing Park N.E.
• Rundle 2409 50th St.N.E.
• Temple 167 Templegreen Rd. N.E.
• Thorncliffe Greenview5600 Centre St. N.
• Winston Heights 520 27th Ave. N.E.