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.
