Happenings on Churchill Square
May 25, 2023
Churchill Square programming is in full swing with an array of free, family friendly special events coming up in May and June. You can also catch our regular free weekly programming which includes Live at Lunch, Zumba, Salsa on the Square, Cypher Wild and the crafts with the AGA Art Cart. Check out our roundup of upcoming events below:
Downtown Spark
Get ready for whimsical art installations from around the world, family-friendly fun, concerts, dance parties and more! Starting this week, explore large-scale art sculptures throughout the downtown core at Downtown Spark. From May 25 to June 4 giant art installations will be located at six different locations, with the largest piece Evanescent by ATELIER SISU coming to Churchill Square. Edmonton is the first city in Canada to host Evanescent, after appearing in 22 international cities and 12 countries. There will also be FREE lunch-time programming, with local musician Aladean Kheroufi kicking things off with a live performance at CKUA on May 25 from 12 – 1 pm. For more information visit https://www.edmontondowntown.com/spark/.
Paper Airplane Day
Did you know that May 26th is Nation Paper Airplane Day? The Alberta Aviation Museum will be bringing their Paper Airplane Test Lab to Churchill Square on Friday May 26 from 12 – 2 pm where you’ll have a chance to build different airplane designs and compare what makes them great at tricks and skills. There are designs for everyone from beginners to the paper airplane pro, or you can put your own designs to the test. Staff will be on hand to help fold and decorate your airplane, then it’s up to you to let them fly!
Splash Day
Come down to Churchill Square and beat the heat! On May 27th the City of Edmonton is turning on the fountain in front of City Hall, and we’re marking the occasion with Splash Day. Join the EAC and the City of Edmonton from 11 am – 4 pm for performances by the Tsunami Brothers and the Trincan Steelpan Orchestra, roving sea creatures, food trucks, games and more.
UP on the Square: Benjamin Oswald
Stop by TIX on the Square between June 3 –17 to find a selection of work from Benjamin Oswald’s residency, the unveiling of his City Marigold collection and many other surprises. Many of the ceramic pieces on display were created with glazes developed with the support of a recent EAC grant. Select items will be available for purchase.
Benjamin Oswald has shown and sold his work in multiple spaces in Edmonton and beyond, including Latitude 53, AGA, TIX, the Artworks and Studio 21 Gallery in Halifax. Through a project with TIX, Benjamin was commissioned by the City of Edmonton to create a special collection which references our civic flower, the marigold. He recently returned home from a residency in Denmark, where he experimented with new forms, glazes and forms.
Opening Reception: June 3, 12 — 2 pm, exhibit runs: June 3 — 17.
New child-friendly public art
Have you spotted the new artwork being installed on the Square? Created by local artists Erin Pankratz and Christian Peres Gibaut of Red Knot Studio, A Mischief of Could-be(s) consists of five standing sculptures, drawing inspiration from how children freely interpret and imagine the world through play. The tree-like quality suggests the idea of a magical forest, while the ambiguity of the forms allows for other interpretations, such as tentacles, snakes, arms, stalagmites, etc. The whimsical shapes and colourful palette make the art engaging for art lovers of all ages. To celebrate the installation of this new public art, the EAC will be hosting a kid-friendly celebration with the artists. Keep your eyes peeled for more details in the coming weeks.
Please note that all events are dependent on weather and air quality. Be sure to check the EAC’s social media and website for updates about cancellations.
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