Large new murals of children at play decorate the undersides of Taylor Bridge — spaces previously defaced by vandalism and tagging.
The two realistic paintings were completed last fall on the north and south bridge abutments by Calgary artist Alex Kwong. The artworks tower over the cyclists and hikers using recreational trails going under the bridge.
The City of Red Deer ‘s community development superintendent Bobby-Jo Stannard said a lot of families use these riverside trails so the theme of children playing is appropriate. “It was an opportunity for us to beautify a space that’s frequented by the community, and especially families, and to provide visual art in a space that has often been vandalized,” she explained.
The murals are coated with a product that allows spray-painted tagging to be cleaned off without damaging the art underneath.
Since the Taylor Bridge underwent some upgrades last summer, one percent of the total money allocated for this renovation was set aside for public art. This is in accordance with a City of Red Deer policy for any infrastructure project of at least $1 million.
Since a public art component will continue to be part of future bridge projects, Stannard said these two murals — and whether they help reduce vandalism — could help determine what kind of public art is commissioned going forward.
The more than century-old CP Rail pedestrian bridge is the next city river crossing slated for an upgrade. Stannard said a request for public art proposals will be going out shortly. Whether it will end up being another mural, a statue, or interactive piece will be up to the city’s Public Art Commission to decide.
Design work on the CR Rail bridge renovation began in 2022 and construction is slated to begin this summer and expected to continue to the end of 2025. Reconstruction of the bridge’s timber trestle, replacement of concrete foundations and some of the corroded steel trusses are part of the plan — as well as re-doing the timber decking with a new durable surface and adding some pedestrian level lighting.
Stannard said another mural project completed last summer and fall consists of colourful bird paintings done by a Toronto artist on the walls of the pedestrian tunnel going under 32nd Avenue at Kin Kanyon.
Meanwhile, the Red Deer’s vandalized brick bunny was recently removed from the downtown and transported back to the Voyager Art Studio for repairs.
Once the rabbit is whole again, it will not be replaced in its original spot near 49th Avenue and 48th Street, but will instead be moved to a new location, near the north entrance of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre.
