Red Deer Polytechnic’s Welikoklad Event Centre has a different look thanks to a former visual art student.
Alum Kat Simmers began painting a mural on an exterior wall of the downtown building in early September. The artwork highlights a variety of programs and learners at the polytechnic.
“With Flying Colours depicts a diverse body of students engaged in their respective crafts. It was an interesting challenge to create a work representing the experiences of so many people - students past, present and future,” said Simmers.
“I wanted to pay respect to the value of athletics as well as the diverse mix of creative arts learning and trades programming that students experience at the Polytechnic.”
The mural features students, a health care professional, several skilled trades workers, a member of the Indigenous community, and athletes playing hockey and volleyball.
“I thought of the welder as an artist crafting a sculpture as much as a tradesperson earning a wage. I made my way through six years of art school by working various labour jobs,” said Simmers.
“It was the creativity and passion for learning I developed at RDP that led to success in those environments as well. I wanted to capture the spark of innovation and joyful work environment that I experienced at the Polytechnic.”
Simmers plans on completing the mural later this month. Their brother Derek, another RDP alum, will assist on the final touches.
“This work is to remind people to take joy in their craft, to care for their community and to share the fruits of their labour,” Simmers said, adding they hope the mural will provide inspiration.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to build on my experience at RDP and it’s exciting to be able to return those gifts in some way.”
Stuart Cullum, RDP president, said he’s “extremely proud of the polytechnic’s presence in the heart of Red Deer,” which increases the ability to collaborate with community members and business partners in the area.
“The artwork complements the city of Red Deer’s commitment to revitalize the downtown core with murals, creating welcoming spaces and signalling Red Deer Polytechnic’s connection to the community in vibrant and creative ways,” Cullum said.
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