Centre City Banners 2026-2028 Artists Announced
We are pleased to announce the next artists to be featured in the Centre City Banners Program in upcoming years: Mackenzie Brown (2026), Chrysalis (2027) and Lyndon Navalta (2028).
The Centre City Banners Program engages local artists to create a series of artworks for banners displayed on poles along bridges leading into the city’s core, acting as gateways to Calgary’s downtown and cultural district.
Artists develop original designs that reflect Calgary’s unique characteristics and celebrate our cultures, communities, histories, geography and diversity. Three artists are selected by an independent jury to display their series for approximately one year each over a three-year period, starting each spring.
The work of current banner artist Michelle Ku will remain on display until spring 2026.
You can learn more about the Centre City Banners Program here.
Mackenzie Brown
Mackenzie Brown — 2026 artist
Mackenzie Brown is a First Nations Cree woman from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, currently residing in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). A dynamic and award-winning performer, drummer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate, Mackenzie has dedicated her life to creating meaningful connections through her art, culture, and community work. She is the co-founding member of Warrior Women, a performance duo with her mother that drums and teaches internationally, sharing their knowledge with schools, festivals, organizations, and communities across the globe.
In addition to her work as a performer, Mackenzie is a prolific multidisciplinary artist, known for her vibrant acrylic paintings, beadwork, leatherwork and large-scale murals. Her art reflects her Cree heritage, with a focus on the relationship between the land, animals and Indigenous identity in a contemporary context. Mackenzie’s work has been featured in several prestigious galleries, including the Arts Commons Calgary, ATB Arts Branch, cSpace, Pump House Gallery, Edson Gallery Museum and Gray Gallery at Grant MacEwan University. Her murals can be found across Canada—in Alberta (Edmonton and Calgary), in Guelph, and in Jasper National Park.
She was a featured artist at MASA, Africa’s largest performing arts festival, where she represented Indigenous art in collaboration with the Ministry of Global Affairs Canada. She has also worked with high-profile clients such as Starbucks, Co-operators Insurance, New Horizon Coop Grocery, Sysco, and Parks Canada.
Over the years, Mackenzie has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the arts and Indigenous communities, including the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Award in 2017, Esquao Award for Children’s Future (2019), Indigenous Woman of the Year from the Alberta Assembly of First Nations (2019), Top 30 under 30 from the Alberta Corporation for Global Cooperation (2020) and the Distinguished Alumni Award from MacEwan University (2022). In 2024, she received the Calgary Mayor’s Arts Award for Indigenous Artists and was named to Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40.
Mackenzie’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in her cultural teachings and the spiritual guidance of âtayôhkan (spirit guides). Her paintings, often characterized by movement and vibrant colours, evoke a sense of connection to Mother Earth and the spirit of the land. She draws inspiration from the landscapes around her, reflecting her beliefs in the healing power of art and its ability to bring forgotten stories and languages back to life. Through her work, Mackenzie aims to evoke emotion, remembrance and a deeper understanding of the relationship between all living beings and the land.
www.kamamak.ca
Instagram: @kamamak_art
Chrysalis
Chrysalis — 2027 arts organization
Chrysalis is an Alberta Society for Citizens with Disabilities
For the 2027 Centre City Banners Program, Chrysalis will lead the artist and artwork selection. This process will centre the voices of artists with disabilities, focusing on work that reflects themes of empowerment, inclusion and creative self-expression. Selected banners will showcase the diverse perspectives of Chrysalis artists and bring their unique visions into Calgary’s downtown core.
Chrysalis is dedicated to offering personalized services to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. Through innovative programming, Chrysalis thrives to continue fostering an environment where individuals with disabilities are empowered to thrive, express themselves creatively and actively participate in the broader community. At its core, the Chrysalis Calgary Art Program is more than just making art — it is about empowerment, inclusion and self-discovery. By providing a space where creativity flourishes, we support each artist in realizing their potential, sharing their perspectives and leaving a meaningful impact on the world through their art.
Lyndon Navalta
Lyndon Navalta — 2028 artist
Lyndon Navalta, an instructor, artist, designer and queer person of colour, is drawn to the subtle details of our natural world. He documents these observations through digital and traditional mediums, always infused with a touch of whimsy and surrealism. A naturalist at heart, the DNA of his art blends nature and magic, inviting viewers to see our living world through the lens of education, admiration and curiosity. He is passionate about creating art that celebrates the influence of flora and fauna on the human narrative, while sharing the enchanting myths and stories that surround them.
Instagram: @lyndonpaints
