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    February 25, 2025
    Arista Dalekos

    Explore Art at UCalgary: A Campus Alive with Creativity!

     

    Picture yourself walking through the University of Calgary campus, where creativity is woven into everyday life. As a future student, you’ll experience a campus where art isn’t just something to admire—it’s a part of the spaces you’ll interact with daily. From sculptures and murals to interactive pieces, UCalgary’s art reflects the diverse culture of the university and encourages meaningful engagement. Let's take a closer look at the artwork that will bring your learning to life as a future student.

      

    "Spire" or "The Paperclip"

      

    Sculptures: Silent Storytellers of UCalgary’s Legacy

    As a future Dino, you’ll come across a variety of sculptures that tell their own stories, each bringing a unique energy to its surroundings. Whether it’s the “Spire” (known affectionately as “the paperclip”), which celebrates UCalgary’s athletic spirit, or “Nature is an Eternal Mystery” outside the Energy Environment Experiential Learning (EEEL) Building, these sculptures don’t just add beauty—they invite you to think and engage with them. Playful works like “Zipper” in the Science Theatres lobby have become good luck charms for students, while the “Prairie Chicken” symbolizes Alberta’s heritage. These sculptures activate the campus in ways that make the university feel alive and connected to both its past and its future.

    "Prairie Chicken"

     

      

     

    "Nature is an Eternal Mystery"

    "Untitled" 1974 by John Crate and Bog Spaetgens

       

    Murals: Vibrant Narratives that Color Your Campus Journey

    As a future student at UCalgary, you’ll encounter vibrant murals that make the campus feel like a living canvas. These murals, often large in scale, provide a visual connection to the history, culture, and values of the university. Imagine walking past a floor-to-ceiling artwork near the Earth Sciences building by John Crate and Bog Spaetgens, where elements of shifting tectonic plates are brought to life. Or, take a break between classes to admire the porcelain mural in the Social Sciences Building, with its blend of primitive figures and imaginary creatures. These murals are not only visually striking but also serve as thought-provoking backdrops to your daily routine, fostering an environment of reflection and discovery.


     

    Interactive Art: Where Creativity Meets Campus Life

    At UCalgary, art isn’t just something you observe—it’s something you can interact with. Throughout campus, you'll find installations designed to activate the spaces around them and encourage your participation. For example, Katie Ohe’s “Zipper” in the Science Theatres lobby isn’t just a sculpture; it’s a kinetic piece that spins and moves, inviting students to spin it for good luck. In the Olympic Oval, the glass windows by Brian Baxter reflect light and create patterns, allowing you to engage with the art in a way that changes with the time of day. These interactive installations create spaces where creativity and curiosity thrive, providing opportunities for reflection, conversation, and even social interaction.

    "The Zipper"

      

    By the time you graduate, UCalgary’s art will have been a constant, interactive part of your experience. It’s not just about admiring the work; it’s about being part of a dynamic, creative environment where art is always evolving, just like the students who engage with it.

        


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