Discover our 2024 Murals!
Wednesday September 4, 2024
As the paint dries on our 16 stunning new murals, we’re filled with pride at the impact BUMP Festival 2024 has had on Calgary’s public realm. This year’s festival, themed around the electric and the intentional, brought together artists from near and far to transform our cityscape, sparking new ideas, conversations, and a reimagined urban experience.
Ben Johnston kicked things off with DAYDREAM, our first-ever asphalt mural beside Connaught School. Working alongside the City of Calgary and Sustainable Calgary, with support from Bloomberg’s Asphalt Art Initiative, Johnston created a vibrant, text-based ground mural that’s not just art—it’s a beacon of safety and community in the Beltline. This piece, where bold design meets intentional placemaking, challenges the traditional boundaries of public art and transforms a busy street into a pedestrian-friendly zone.
At 816 11 Ave SW, Earbugz Collective unveiled MEETING SPACE, a mural that embodies the spirit of connection. This magical energy portal invites characters from different worlds to cross paths, symbolizing the diverse life experiences that intersect in Calgary’s ever-evolving landscape. It’s a visual metaphor for community and shared space, reminding us that our stories are all interconnected.
Katie Green’s mural at ReGrub on 11th Avenue offers an ethereal journey into the inner self. Green’s work, true to her improvisational style, uses whimsical characters to explore complex emotions and surreal environments, inviting the public to pause and reflect on their own emotional landscapes. It’s a moment of introspection in the heart of the city, where art becomes a mirror for our inner worlds.
On 17th Avenue SW, Stuart Teekasingh’s SOLSTICE captures the essence of Calgary’s seasons in vibrant colors and patterns. Inspired by the fleeting warmth of summer, this mural offers a graphic representation of the seasonal cycle, turning a once-dark alley into a bright, welcoming space. It’s a celebration of Calgary’s summer spirit, a reminder of the resilience we carry through our long winters.
Vancouver-based Andrea Wan’s MAA on the north wall of Shelf Life Bookstore (1302 4 Street SW) is a tribute to the earth and maternal figures across cultures. This mural, a reflection on belonging and the nurturing forces that shape us, connects the personal and the universal, grounding us in the importance of home and community.
At 812 11 Avenue SW, WAPOSHPYII’s mural tells a powerful story of Indigenous resilience. Through the imagery of a Hare and the Indian Paintbrush Flower, the mural explores the delicate balance of cultural preservation amidst external pressures. It’s a visual narrative of strength and identity, deeply rooted in the artist’s Indigenous heritage.
Kat Simmers brings us PRIDE IN BLOOM at Arlington House (1411 7 Street SW), a mural that celebrates the resilience of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Depicting native Albertan wildflowers in the colors of the Pride Progress Flag, Simmers’ work is a vibrant reminder that queer folks have always belonged in Calgary, and will continue to thrive here.
At Establishment Brewing Company (4407 1 Street SE), Harvey Nichol draws from Southeast Asian folklore in PILANDOK. This mural, rendered in striking black and white, tells a tale of ingenuity and courage, with Pilandok, the clever mouse deer, outsmarting three crocodiles. It’s a story of overcoming obstacles, a perfect reflection of the resilience needed in our rapidly changing city.
Up on the roof of High Park, five new Graffiti murals shine, giving this interesting urban space new texture, words and spark. From Calgary, Edmonton, British Columbia to the US, artists ASPEKT, CURLY, SHEVA, GRAVY and OMIT brought to our 2024 graff jam a newfound energy to the space.
Bryan Beyung’s mural at Embe (121 15 AVE SE) offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s studio life, turning a window into the soul of creativity. Through his bright blue windows, Beyung invites us to explore the connection between the inner world of the artist and the outside world that inspires them.
Nick Sweetman’s mural at 1334 13 Ave SW is a dynamic tribute to Alberta’s wildlife. From grizzlies to lynxes, Sweetman captures the essence of the Calgary mountains, bringing the powerful energy of the wild into the urban environment. Each scene is a vibrant testament to the diversity and beauty of our natural world.
Finally, Paris-based Meyso wraps up our festival with CALGARY DREAM at the 1st Street Underpass. This mural, depicting Calgary as an endless, dream-like machine, blends industrial and natural elements to create a poetic narrative of our city’s growth and evolution. It’s a journey through a dreamscape where the lines between nature and urbanity blur, reflecting the unique character of Calgary itself.
As we step back and admire these new works, we see more than just murals—we see conversations sparked, spaces reimagined, and a city transformed. BUMP Festival 2024 has electrified the streets of Calgary with intentionality and creativity, making space for new ideas, stories, and connections. Thank you to all the artists, partners, and community members who made this possible. Here’s to the power of public art in shaping our city’s future!
