Join fellow community members and share ideas for the future of public art in Okotoks.
Face to Face 2024 will bring together community members, local artists, business leaders and more to discuss the role of public art as a catalyst for tourism and economic growth. The conference will be held at the Old Church Theatre on Friday, Oct. 25 from 7 to 10 p.m.
"It'll give a chance for people to think about public art in the community and talk with each other," said Town of Okotoks culture and heritage leader Allan Boss.
The event and its focus on public art comes after the Town of Okotoks approved a public art policy in 2023, which has led to the planning and creation of murals across Okotoks, including most recently an Indigenous mural at the Arts & Learning Campus Plaza.
The event is an opportunity for the community to collaborate on the future of public art, along with its role in making Okotoks a more vibrant and welcoming place, through networking and interactive discussions.
"We're going to spend the first half talking about public art, learning about it, and then everybody will have the opportunity to go downstairs and interact with each other around some engagement activities that we've got," said Boss.
Prominent local artists will also be in attendance, including 2024 Sheep River artist in residence Wanru Kemp, who will give a presentation highlighting her work.
Kemp, who specializes in Chinese ink painting and brush calligraphy, developed a series of art pieces that reflect the unique landscapes of the Foothills during her residency.
"Even after living in the Sheep River area for six years, I am still amazed by how many things I find to inspire me," she said. "I am deeply grateful for the warmth and support of this community."
In addition, she has been collecting the sounds of nature along the Sheep River to create a soundscape, which Kemp aims will offer an immersive experience where people can feel the river through both visual and sound.
"I look forward to sharing this multisensory project with [the Okotoks community] in the future," she said.
Learn more about the conference and register for free on the Town of Okotoks website.
