Each year, Public Art Wood Buffalo invites residents to showcase their artistic talents through a submission to the Street Banner Program. This year's program asked for submissions that portray the meaning of home. We received 85 incredible submissions from which 14 designs were selected to be displayed throughout the region. Thank you to all participants.
Check out the 2022 and 2023 street banners and learn more about the artists behind the 2023 submissions below.
Interested in participating in the program?
The annual call for the Street Banner Program is typically announced in early spring. Join the Local Artist Roster to receive emails about artist calls, programs, events and information sessions.
2023 Street Banner Designs:
Home
2022 Street Banner Designs: Northern Spirit
A Flow of Affection – Shanzey Adnan |
This artwork uses symbolism to deliver the theme: The balancing rocks in the centre denote stability and a strong foundation that help individuals to prosper; as well the spectacular blue wave wrapped around imparts the idea of growth & change. The flying bowls of steaming food is a notion for family & heartfelt moments spent together at the table. At the top, a beautiful mandala honours the Indigenous cultures while the peaking trail at the bottom is symbolic of Fort McMurray. A fiery heart is depicted to empathize the affection and strength of a family bond. |
Night Sky – Kalilea Faichney |
When I was drawing this picture, I was thinking about the animals, the water, and the grass and how we all share the earth as a home. |
Deep in your Soul – Oksana Mandryk |
Your home is where your heart is and where you feel calm and comfortable. It includes a specific place, people, memories and emotions. A year ago, our family home was destroyed by war in Ukraine. When I think of my home, my land and my country, I see an endless expanse of yellow sunflowers and wheat fields against a bright blue sky. I also associate it with the same colours of the Ukrainian flag – yellow and blue. |
Picking Berries with Kôhkum – Feather McDonald |
When I think of home, I think of my Kôhkum (grandmother). I lived in Fort McKay First Nation in my youth and remember spending so many hours doing numerous activities with my kôhkum. Picking blueberries is something we all do with our kôhkums. We love, honor and take care of our grandmothers, which is why I chose her to be my “home” inspiration. |
My Roots, My Heart, My Home – Katelyn McKay |
Your roots are where you come from. The plant is shown growing, and the home is where you grow up in. The roots are supposed to keep the plant stable just like how a home is stable and safe. This is inspired by my mom, dad, sister and dog. |
Vibe of our Home Planet – Sofiya Novikova |
Planet Earth is our home, and we need to take care of it. Environmental problems, climate change, CO2 emissions, wars and so on – all of this can harm our planet. The planet is vulnerable, and we must protect it. |
Freedom of the Heart – Hiliany Ocando |
When thinking about Alberta, I think of snow or mountains or its rivers and lakes to it plains of fields. All this and more is what I first think of when someone says home, because Alberta is home. And its skies are always something to behold. The animals always are something to be awed at, especially its grand population of bears. |
The Woods – Kate Platt |
When I was younger my friends and I would spend all our time playing in the woods. It’s my favourite place to be no matter the weather. It has given me my best memories. |
My Beautiful Birds – Jessica V. Powder |
I’ve always loved the yellow Cardinal, the Blue Jay and the Red Cardinal. My dream one day is to take a photography of these beautiful birds. |
Calling me Home – Donna Sheaves |
Home a place where you surround yourself with family... when I think of Home I think of my mom, cooking and the aromas of warm food swirling in her kitchen as you open the front door and the smells of sweet and savory foods inviting you in as she places them on the table for you to enjoy. No matter where I make my home in this world, I’ll remember my first Home with my mom serving up her amazing pie and cakes and other cooked foods calling me home. |
Grounded by the Water – Sara Smith |
As someone who moved here 15 years ago, my concept of home is often torn between where I come from and where I now live; It is something that torments me in my soul. However, there is a common soothing image in my mind when thinking of both places, and that is the calm, peaceful sights and sounds of sunset and a little boat on the water. No matter where in the world I may be, the grounding and inner peace that comes from such a sight – is home to me, and I believe this resonates with many others as well. |
Willow Lake – Nevada Steil |
RMWB is home to many beautiful lakes. I live near Willow Lake, and I know when I see it, I’m home. |
Fishes Swimming Upstream Home – Levi Richards |
It is just cool how salmon have to swim so hard to go upstream to go home. |
Living in Harmony – Shannon Whitbread |
For me ‘Home’ does not just mean the place where I live with my family but more specifically the land, sea and sky we all share with the animals from this region. This land is also their home, and we live in unison with them. This banner depicts the image of a tree to represent the landscape of the RMWB and the silhouettes of the Wolf, Eagle, Bear, Buffalo, Beaver and Fish to represent some of the animals who also call this land home. We are so privileged to witness the beauty of nature in our daily lives. |