|
September 19, 2024
The City of Edmonton unveiled an innovative new Edmonton sign in Sir Winston Churchill Square that welcomes visitors downtown, serves as a local photo backdrop and adds lively animation to the heart of the city. The new sign will sit in the Square during the winter to illuminate long winter nights and will travel to festivals and City-owned facilities during the summer.
“Every year, thousands of people come to Churchill Square to enjoy the many festivals and events that take place year-round,” said Ward tastawiyiniwak Councillor Karen Principe. “This new Edmonton sign will not only be a vibrant addition to the Square but will encourage more visitors to come downtown, injecting more money into our local economy.”
The Edmonton installation is a family-friendly, interactive art piece intended to use the negative space of the Edmonton letters to create dynamic photo opportunities while showcasing the work of local artists. The structure was designed by local design agency Vignettes Showcase Inc™ in collaboration with Métis artists Michelle Sound and Crystal Clark. It was inspired by the concept of what home means to everyone who occupies our shared land.
“This interactive art installation aims to become an iconic landmark for downtown Edmonton, instilling pride in its residents,” said Leigh Wright, founder of Vignettes™. “As the area gradually recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, we believe that such initiatives will help draw more visitors to the core. We hope that both locals and tourists will capture and share memorable moments about our city, and most importantly, we encourage everyone to take the time to have fun and enjoy the experience.”
The structure, which is more than 32 feet long, features a shallow, sloped roof reminiscent of the expansive, rolling prairie plains. From the inside, visitors can look through the roof panelling to see the sky, framing out many of the buildings to focus on the sun, clouds and stars. The reverse side will feature a rotating, printed mural to provide local artists an opportunity to explore their interpretation of home.
“The City is proud to feature local Indigenous artists Michelle Sound, Crystal Clark and others in creating an opportunity to celebrate and experience our rich Indigenous culture,” said Councillor Principe.
Behind the word Edmonton is a series of programmable LED lights, that fade in and out of hues of yellow and blue. During most days, the lights will create dancing patterns to reflect the colours of our skies: northern lights, sunsets and sunrises. On holidays and events, the lights can be adapted to reflect the significance of the occasion.
| 
