Celebrating Local Artists

Local artist selected for the 2024 Art in Public Places Program

The City of Fort Saskatchewan is thrilled to announce the artwork and artist selected for the 2024 Art in Public Places Program.

"The varied submissions for the 2024 Art in Public Places program were very impressive, and it was difficult choosing one," said Mayor Gale Katchur, "This is a great chance to see the arts culture growing here in Fort Saskatchewan."

The 2024 winning artwork, in the adult category, is mixed media on canvas titled HIGHEST HONOUR, created by local resident ELLEN LAGRANDEUR. This project began with a blank 30" x 60" canvas, on which Ojibwe artist, Ellie Lagrandeur, painted a tall standing Chief holding what is known as the highest honour, a sacred Eagle feather. The piece was brought to the City of Fort Saskatchewan's Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in 2022, where the canvas remained blank, waiting to be filled with feathers. As students learned about the significance of the headdress, each child added a feather, which prompted their teachers, volunteers, city staff, and parents to do the same. For the next year, Dreamcatchers Gift & Art Gallery visitors from coast to coast and from all walks of life added their own feathers. This completed work of art now holds the energy of over 700 individuals, each feather representing an act of courage, honour, and respect for all creation.

The selected 2024 artwork will be unveiled at the Alberta Lottery Fund Art Gallery in the Dow Centennial Centre on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 7:00 pm. The community is invited to show support and check out the local art at the gallery, open weekly on Thursday and Friday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, and during performances at the Shell Theatre.

Fort Saskatchewan is a vibrant economic and cultural hub located in Treaty 6 Territory and Métis Nation of Alberta District 11. The City of Fort Saskatchewan proudly manages recreation, culture and historic amenities including a performing arts theatre and a fitness centre within the Dow Centennial Centre and the historic 1875 - 1885 NWMP Fort Representation in the heart of downtown. Located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Fort Saskatchewan boasts more than 80 km of paved trails along with many natural areas for residents to explore. As a City, we believe in diversity and inclusion and are working toward creating a city where all residents are respected and have a sense of belonging.