Saturday’s dreary weather couldn’t stop a vibrant celebration of two Edmonton-based artists who received national recognition for their public art displays in the downtown core. Red Knot Studio’s A Mischief of Could Be(s) and UGO, companion art installments by Erin Pankratz and Christian Pérès Gibaut, won Canada’s Creative City Network Legacy Award this week. Both pieces were recognized with an event in the Pyramid of Seasons on Churchill Square that featured live music, roving performers and an appearance by current Mayor Amarjeet Sohi for what he said will most likely be his last proclamation ever as mayor. In honour of 30 years of the Edmonton Arts Council (EAC) and their 300th piece of public art, Sohi proclaimed Oct. 11 as Public Art Day in the city. “It doesn’t matter which part of the city you live in, to experience and enjoy public art that adds to our vibrancy makes our city such a phenomenal place to live, and engages people in a way that sparks curiosity,” he said on Saturday. The EAC’s executive director, Renée Williams, told media the milestone was “incredibly exciting.” “The public art collection, I always like to say, is a visual manifestation of the personality of our city, and we’re thrilled to have such unique pieces in the collection,” she said, adding that she considers Edmonton a vibrant arts city, pointing to the year-round festivals and theatre scene. “We’re absolutely on the map.” The pieces by Red Knot Studio were created to encapsulate the idea of childhood imagination and creativity. The installments can be found in Churchill Square and the Centennial Plaza.
