Alberta Wilderness Association
News Release: February 28, 2005
They come with original names like "The Bearly There Painters"
and "Three Crazy Painters." They come with a sizzling pallet
of colours and designs inspired by the wild landscapes of Alberta.
Each year Albertans come to the stairwells of the Calgary Tower
keen to express what Alberta's wilderness and wildlife mean to
them through the medium of painting. This year marks the third
year of Alberta Wilderness Association's Mural Competition,
the forerunner to the Climb for Wilderness fundraiser held in April.
"Climbing the 802 stairs to the top of the Calgary Tower is now
even more entertaining thanks to the efforts of these talented
individuals," says Nigel Douglas, AWA Conservation Specialist.
Over the past two years, 37 of the 96 landings have been painted
with a delightfully diverse array of designs by both amateur and
professional artists.
"The murals are a stunning testament to the love and dedication
these artists have for Alberta wilderness," says Christyann Olson,
AWA's Executive Director. "They are an expression of the value
of wilderness to a wide range of Albertans and a wonderful
legacy for the City of Calgary."
Murals are reviewed by a panel of judges, who are hard-pressed
to pick winners in each of four categories. "The quality of the
murals is simply amazing," says Margaret Main, one of last year's
judges and this year's organizer of the event. "It is absolutely
wonderful to see how the simplest of designs on paper, by entrants
of all ages, translate to beautiful murals. You don't have to be
really experienced," she emphasizes. "People with no experience
in painting murals come through with fabulous interpretations."
She encourages everyone to come out and try their hand at a
wilderness mural.
The Mural Competition will be held March 12, 2005. Individuals
or groups of up to four people are welcome to enter and must
provide a drawing of their proposed mural in advance. Details
and entry forms, as well as last year's winners, can be seen at
www.climbforwilderness.ca . Winners will receive prizes
sponsored by Pages Books on Kensington. All participants
will be able to enjoy refreshments courtesy of Tim Horton's.
Albertans are privileged to see these murals only once a year
during AWA's Climb for Wilderness fundraiser. This year's
event is April 16, 2005. Climbers pay a registration fee and
collect sponsorship money, which allows them the unique
opportunity to climb the stairs inside the Calgary Tower,
enjoy the wilderness murals on the way up, and view Calgary's
nearer wilderness areas in the view at the top.
For more information on Climb for Wilderness and the
Mural Competition see our website www.climbforwilderness.ca
or contact AWA at (403) 283-2025.