Citizens invited to help celebrate opening of River Passage – Calgary’s newest public artwork

The City of Calgary Public Art Program, along with Utilities & Environmental Protection (UEP), is pleased to invite Calgarians to take part in the unveiling of our city’s newest public art piece, River Passage, on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Located adjacent to Harvie Passage within Pearce Estate Park (1440 17A St. S.E.), the environmental artwork is approximately 2850 metre squared, or 0.75 acres, and features a series of terraces and a grotto-like seating area that allows visitors to capture sweeping views of the river and surrounding landscapes.

“We’ve created a remarkable place that offers a unique and inspiring vantage point where you can experience the Bow, whether you choose to sit and take in the views or access the river and regional trails,” says Paul Fesko, Manager of UEP Customer Service. “River Passage allows you to really appreciate our river system as an agent of change, and the watershed’s varied landscapes that surround it.”

With input from Inglewood residents, Seattle artist Lorna Jordan designed the artwork that merges ecology, artistry and community. The majority of the stone used is called rundle stone which is a sedimentary rock locally sourced and quarried in the Canmore area. The large stone columns are made of basalt and there are also colourful river rock accents imbedded in the stone walls.

“The Inglewood Community Association is very excited about the upcoming unveiling of River Passage,” said association member L.J. Robertson. “The work itself pays homage to the power and peace of the river that we embrace as a community. We enjoy the organic way that the environmental influence of Harvie Passage has been captured on the site. It’s not a detached piece of public art, but rather a harmonious addition to the landscape. We look forward to community members enjoying its integration into the park for years to come.”

The piece, developed in partnership with the Parks Foundation, is one of a series of initiatives outlined in the UEP Public Art Plan, which is founded on the principle that public art, in collaboration with other disciplines, can create remarkable places that encourage sustainability and stewardship.

The ceremonial opening of the park will offer light refreshments and feature a First Nations Blessing of the site, official opening speech by Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra, local musicians, and an interactive art activity that will explore the relationship Calgarians have with the Bow River.

For more information, visit calgary.ca/publicart or call 311.