Mount Pleasant Community Engagement Mural

Community-Initiated Microgrant 2021

Community members are painted onto the wall of the Mount Pleasant Community Association in an abstract and whimsical style.
Community members are painted onto the wall of the Mount Pleasant Community Association in an abstract and whimsical style.
Community members are painted onto the wall of the Mount Pleasant Community Association in an abstract and whimsical style.
Community members are painted onto the wall of the Mount Pleasant Community Association in an abstract and whimsical style.
Community members are painted onto the wall of the Mount Pleasant Community Association in an abstract and whimsical style.
Community members are painted onto the wall of the Mount Pleasant Community Association in an abstract and whimsical style.
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Title:

Mount Pleasant Community Engagement Mural

Project Completion:

2022

Medium:

Mural

Location:

Mount Pleasant Community Association, 602 22nd Ave. NE

About the Artist:

CONZ began his graffiti career in 1993 after spending most of his childhood immersed in art. Having grown up in a family with many forms of artists, it was only natural for his own creative ingenuity to shine through at a young age.

While on vacation in Europe in 1992 he was introduced to graffiti for the first time and felt instantly compelled to start down his own creative avenue. Art takes many forms and beauty has always been in the eye of the beholder, but growing up deaf has truly made CONZ appreciative of the world around us.

Growing up in Calgary and being very visually enriched due to his auditory limitations has forced him to truly see what was missing in the city. His passion for creating beauty has led him down many roads and he has become well known in his community for his work. His contributions to the vitality and vibrancy of this city have not gone unnoticed.

His work has taken him to many places around the world and you can find his paintings in São Paulo, Japan, Mexico, Philippines and many other locations. Although his favourite medium is graffiti, he has been known to dabble and experiment with watercolours, acrylics and sculptures.

The Project

A bare wall at the Mount Pleasant Community Association was transformed into a celebration of the community. Through a social media and poster campaign, residents sent their input on what they love about their community. Artist Conz took this feedback to create a mural of community members of all ages coming together in local parts and nature.

Only one person on the mural was based off a real community member: the lady in pink is Nina Sedorava, a vibrant community member who passed away in 2021. She was known for wearing bright colours.

The 2021 Community-Run Microgrant

This project was funded as part of the 2021 Community-Run Microgrant. Calgary Arts Development invited proposals for community-initiated public art projects in 2021. Community groups could apply for up to $10,000 from a total funding pool of $100,000, to hire local artists for eligible projects. Funding for this one-time program was provided through the Government of Alberta and The City of Calgary.

Learn more here.

More Information

Our Commitment to Equity

Our commitment to Indigenous reconciliation, racial equity, disability justice, and gender and sexual diversity.

We acknowledge that the land we gather on, Mohkinsstsis, is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people — comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations, as well as Treaty 7 signatories, the Tsuut’ina Nation and the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations. Today this land is home to the Metis Nations 5 and 6 as well as many First Nations and Inuit peoples from across Turtle Island.

We acknowledge that there has been art, music, dance, storytelling and ceremony on this land since time immemorial and it is in the spirit of this land and its people that we do our work.

Please see our full Commitment to Equity, including the sections on our aspirations, accountability, current initiatives and EDIA history.