What goes in to an outdoor public projection piece:
Design
Safety Approval
Construction
Technical Production
Installation
Strike
Storage
Category: Public Art
Public art projects
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Projections for USAY and EMMEDIA
In the summer and fall of 2025 I got the opportunity to work with local youth through Urban Society of Aboriginal Youth and EMMEDIA Media Arts Gallery. Together we created outdoor projection installations on a local tipi and a historic building at the Confluence.
This was my first time installing a stand alone projection setup that would withstand the outdoor elements for over 2 weeks.
Key components:
A projector enclosure – we went with a DeerTV Small Projector Enclosure. It is made of steel, waterproof, and keeps the internal temperature cool enough for the projector to work 24/7.
A 24/7 projector – not all projectors can run all day and all night. I borrowed my friend’s Optoma long throw. It’s low voltage and can run continuously. It also fits in the enclosure with room for other gadgets, like power bars and media players.
Event truss structure – how we kept the projector out of the way to avoid shadows and ne’er do wells. I worked with Starlite Event Rentals and they helped with installation and getting the projector up 12′ in the air.
A long power cable – we purchased a 100′ power cable and pinned it down with landscaping staples to avoid tripping.
Overall this installation was a success, and the incredible works of 4 different youth artists looped against the Confluence building for two weeks.
This prepared me for my next outdoor installation, set in the dead of winter: Chinook Blast 2026.
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Ramsay Community Murals
2025 Calgary AB – Throughout the year I worked with the Ramsay Community Association and Calgary Arts Development Association to transform three traffic signal utility boxes in the neighborhood.
I held an in-person community engagement session at nvrlnd boutique, a fantastic event space near some of the favourite watering holes of residents. I also put up posters in foot traffic hot spots to get some online opinions.
The survey:
Ramsay Utility Box Community Engagement Survey
The location of these boxes is in three transitory spaces:
- 1048 21 Ave SE , across from the rail line cutting through Ramsay
- 1021 8 St SE up the hill from MacDonald bridge
- 625 25 Ave SE by one of the largest intersections giving access
To celebrate the “in-between” of Ramsay, the murals on these transformer boxes will act as portals for the neighbourhood. What does your portal look like?
Are you coming home from a long day or popping by for a morning coffee at the dog park? Is this a place you come to learn, rest, or try to make sense of it all?
Local visual artist, and Ramsay resident, Mackenzie Bedford is asking these questions to inform their transformer designs. By completing this questionnaire, you will be helping shape your neighbourhood’s visual landscape!
Do you live in Ramsay?
Why do you visit Ramsay, or why did you move here?
How often do you go in and out of the neighbourhood?
How long have you been visiting/living Ramsay?
Optional
Age
Gender
Self-identify:
Through the engagement process I discovered how Ramsay was a place to nurture families, a common place to celebrate, and the spot to establish careers for so many. I considered these facets and the locations of my mural sites and came up with the 3 following concepts:
NURTURE, near MacDonald Bridge and the dog park.
COLLABORATE, in the parking lot next to the Calgary Water Centre.
CELEBRATE, just outside of nvrlnd. boutique and down the road from Dandy Brewing.
Official Artist Statement:
The In-Betweens: NUTURE; COLLABORATE; CELEBRATE.
Ramsay is a beautifully diverse community that also enjoys many visitors throughout the week. Restaurants, schools, places of worship, boutiques, and parks all welcome swells of residents and regulars.
To celebrate the “in-between” of Ramsay, this suite of murals will act as a portal for the neighbourhood. Are you coming home from a long day, or popping by for a morning coffee at the dog park? Is this a place you come to learn, rest, or try to make sense of it all?
Each of the utility boxes shares a different story of what Ramsay means to its community.
“Nurture” A myriad of star sprites are ushered off together by their cosmic guardians, while reciprocating the care.
“Collaborate” Interdimensional beings work together to tidy up the stars and create a new one in the process.
“Celebrate” Celestial neighbours enjoy their favourite performer while collaborating on an art piece.
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The Winter Bard: A musical activation
As part of Chinook Blast 2024’s Artist Installations. In partnership with Bell National Music Centre.
Musical collaborator: Reed Shimozawa
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With You, Not Far
2023. Calgary, AB
A Pride mural featuring the progress colours and depicting black and brown voices as the bedrock of our community. The footsteps yet to sit on the trans coloured hills, as we still have progress to make for the entire queer community.
Inspiration: Funnily enough, I took the colour patterning from a pair of pride boxers my partner wears.
Process: Acrylic sketch with two coats of colour filled in.
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Cosmic Trip v.2
Held at the Fire Hall No. 1 for Alberta Culture Days with Quickdraw Animation Society
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BASK: A queer celebration
BASK is a durational projection mapping installation featuring different visual perspectives of queerness. Atmospheric visuals create a stage where audience members are invited to step inside, play, and bask in their own intersecting identities of queerness.
Held at Found Festival by Common Ground Arts Society. Edmonton, AB
Collaborating artists: Andrew Cormier, Sophie Healey, + Freakmeats
Sponsored by Alberta Media Arts Alliance
