Past, present and future: Calgary Stampede unveils new art features

Representing the past, present and future, the Calgary Stampede unveiled three new art pieces on Wednesday as work continues to transform Stampede Park.

The statues of a bull, horse and buffalo, designed by Alberta Indigenous artist Jason Carter, will be installed at the three entrances onto the Stampede grounds.

“I really enjoy exploring bright, poppy landscapes and so having an opportunity to explore and apply colours to each of these animals was exciting,” says Carter.

Standing nearly 20 feet tall, the statues and their shorter counterparts that are about half the size will welcome visitors onto the Stampede grounds year-round.

Carter’s work already welcomes travellers to the city at the Calgary airport. Now, Stampede organizers hope his creativity will act as a beacon and meeting spot for visitors.

Drawing on Indigenous spirituality, Carter says the plains buffalo represents wisdom of the past, with the quarter horse representing the stability and bravery of the present.

“With the bucking bull, orange is a real power colour, and it reflects the future, our hopes and dreams as a community and as Canadians,” says Carter.

Stampede officials say art has always been entwined in its history and Carter’s pieces will build on the area’s western identity.

“These are really important to us at this point in time so that we can establish those boundaries,” says Kerri Souriol. “We’re not finished growing on-park, as we all know Scotia Place is under construction.”

Construction of the statues is set to get underway next month.