PRIDE MURAL
“Pride in Bloom” is the 2024 Pride Mural for the BUMP Festival, created by local trans artist, writer, and muralist Kat Simmers. This vibrant mural is a powerful tribute to the resilience, courage, and enduring presence of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Calgary. Featuring native Albertan wildflowers depicted in the kaleidoscopic colors of the Pride Progress flag, the mural serves as a reminder that queer folks have always, and will always, have a home here in Calgary. This special project marks a first time collaboration between BUMP Festival, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) and Calgary Queer Arts Society who jointly selected Kat Simmers as the principle artist.
Artist’s Inspiration
Kat Simmers was inspired by a personal reflection shared during an artist talk in 2022. In response to divisive and transphobic rhetoric, Kat designed “Pride in Bloom” to emphasize growth, belonging, and the enduring strength of the queer community. Kat reflects, “I understand there are a lot of seeds being watered now that used to be denied light and life. To some people, it’s scary and we look like weeds. I know that because that is how I used to feel about myself. But we aren’t an invasive species. We’ve always been here. Through connecting with my community and learning to love myself, I’ve realized that the flowers we are so lucky to see blooming in our time want nothing but to add to the garden of life.”
Community and Collaboration
The creation of “Pride in Bloom” was made possible through a collaboration between the BUMP Festival, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), and the Calgary Queer Arts Society. These partnerships were key in bringing this landmark project to life, ensuring that the mural is not just a stunning visual addition to Calgary’s landscape but also a powerful statement of solidarity and support for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. A special thanks to Benjamin Moore West Hillhurst for their generous donation of materials, which made painting this massive mural possible.
Voices Behind the Mural
Anna Maclaren, BUMP Murals Manager, highlights the mural’s significance: “This mural is not just a piece of art; it’s a symbol of our commitment to inclusivity and celebrating the diversity that makes Calgary so special. We believe in making space for everyone in our city, and this project is a significant step in that direction.”
Brendan MacArthur-Stevens, Partner at Blakes, expresses gratitude for Kat Simmers’ work: “In addition to being a beautiful piece of art, this mural is a celebration of the history and resilience of Alberta’s queer community. We are honored to contribute to a project that brings these stories to life and fosters a deeper connection within our city.”
Shone Thistle, Executive Director of Calgary Queer Arts Society, reflects on the mural’s impact: “Kat’s work and the story that inspired this mural remind me of the Mexican proverb, ‘They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.’ Kat’s story, her work, and the message it carries are empowering and relatable to so many queer people. There are loud voices in the world today, trying to make queer people and trans individuals wrong for their very existence, but we are a beautiful part of the garden of hope and resilience, and this mural amplifies that message.”
About Blakes
As one of Canada’s top business law firms, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) provides exceptional legal services to leading businesses in Canada and around the world. The Blakes office in Calgary has been a trusted advisor to Alberta’s vibrant business community for over four decades. Our lawyers provide the highest standards of service and specialized expertise to clients across practices, industries, and jurisdictions.
Blakes also enthusiastically invests in our wider communities. This includes working with leading diversity and inclusion organizations across Canada to make effective, sustainable change. Blakes is home to Pride@Blakes, one of the largest LGBTQI2S+ affinity groups at any Canadian law firm. Pride@Blakes supports our people and builds connections with our LGBTQI2S+ clients and the diverse communities in which we live and work. Blakes also provides extensive pro bono support to organizations in Alberta that advance equality for LGBTQI2S+ people.
About Calgary Queer Arts Society
Calgary Queer Arts Society is a charitable organization located in Calgary, Alberta that exists to give voice to queer people and their stories. Historically, LGBTQ2A+ individuals have been suppressed, deprived of power, misrepresented and often overlooked by institutional support systems. CQAS is committed to transforming this reality, and will continue to work passionately towards an inclusive future for all people.
Mural Title
“Pride In Bloom”
Mural Statement
‘Pride in Bloom’ was inspired in part by some words I shared at an artist talk celebrating my first Pride-themed mural in 2022. At that talk, I shared my response to inflammatory and transphobic comments that were received by Canmore Pride leading up to their festival that year. During that conversation, I said,
“I understand there are a lot of seeds being watered now that used to be denied light and life. To some people it’s scary and we look like weeds…” “I know that because that is how I used to feel about myself.” “But we aren’t an invasive species. We’ve always been here. Through connecting with my community and learning to love myself I’ve realized that the flowers we are so lucky to see blooming in our time want nothing but to add to the garden of life.”
With this mural, I want to celebrate the courage and resilience of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at a time when divisive politics are threatening to take hold of our province. Thorough depictions of native Albertan wildflowers in the kaleidoscopic colours of the pride progress flag I hope to remind people that queer folks have always, and will always have a home here.
