#cityofedmonton

[sacredsocialjustice]

I spent last couple of weekends taking part in a study to develop growing Soloss, an initiative I was part of as a songwriter, that matches artists with people experiencing grief and loss. Last week was at Co*Lab. This time, we were at Yorath House - my first time there. I've been to Buena Vista Park countless times and seen the house, but have never been inside. I also had the chance to meet in person for the first time with one of the people who I worked with, writing a song about his life. During my time as a Losstender we had to meet over Zoom due to the pandemic. For more about what Soloss is: https://www.urbanwellnessedmonton.com/soloss-2022 -- #yeg #soloss #yegwestend #yegdt #CityofEdmonton #Recover #InWithForward #grief #loss #sharing #yegmusic https://www.instagram.com/p/CpZCGOcLPSt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#yeg #soloss #yegwestend #yegdt #cityofedmonton #recover #inwithforward #grief #loss #sharing #yegmusic

[2020cookie]

[tjtaligato]

Good morning Edmonton, . Quick reminder to always spend your time to what’s important. . . . . . . . . #exploreedmonton #instagramyeg #urbanyeg #urbanyeg2k #ouryeg #weareyeg #yeggers_ #yegedmonton #edmontonviews #downtownedmonton #downtownyeg #concretejungles #urbanliving #urbancity #cityofedmonton #albertaphoto #albertaskies #albertasunsets #landscapecity #citylandscapes #urbanlandscapephotography #mavicmini2 (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO_BZ21gv_i/?igshid=1o8tu97vd8epr

#exploreedmonton #instagramyeg #urbanyeg #urbanyeg2k #ouryeg #weareyeg #yeggers_ #yegedmonton #edmontonviews #downtownedmonton #downtownyeg #concretejungles #urbanliving #urbancity #cityofedmonton #albertaphoto #albertaskies #albertasunsets #landscapecity #citylandscapes #urbanlandscapephotography #mavicmini2

[yegarts]

Introducing Edmonton’s Eighth Poet Laureate: Nisha Patel

Photo credit: Yulia Skogoreva

This morning, it was announced that Nisha Patel will be the City of Edmonton’s eighth Poet Laureate. 

Nisha Patel is an award-winning Indo-Canadian poet & artist. She is the 2019 Canadian Individual Slam Champion and Edmonton Slam Champion, and a recipient of the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund Award. She is also the Executive Director of the Edmonton Poetry Festival.

Nisha has performed across Canada and the world, sharing her work on multiple tours and international features from Glasgow and Berlin to Seoul. She is also published in two chapbooks, Water and Limited Success. Her poetry speaks to themes of race, feminism, and identity, focusing strongly on her struggles and triumphs as a woman of colour. She strives to build strong relationships, mentorship, and opportunities for artists around her, believing in the possibility and forgiveness of the Edmonton arts scene. She is the former artist in residence at both The Sewing Machine Factory as well as The Nook Cafe.

We chatted with Nisha about her poetry, being appointed Poet Laureate, and what she has in store over her term.

Q: What most excites you about the role of Poet Laureate? A: I’m most excited to find new audiences to work with. It’s been exciting to be an artist in Edmonton because it’s a city that really allows you to experiment. I want to bring those new ideas to a wider audience with my new platform and really uplift people who might not have had the opportunity to access poetry or literary arts before. 

Q: What has your journey as a poet and an artist been like so far? A: I started writing almost five years ago when I graduated from the University of Alberta. I have a Bachelor of Commerce, not an arts degree. I spent a summer living on a First Nations reserve up north and I found the experience very moving and I started writing poetry while I was on this reserve. When I came back to Edmonton I looked for a community to share it with almost immediately because I really enjoy the social aspect of art. I found the Breath in Poetry Collective and started competing in poetry slams and I came up in the poetry slam community and now I’m writing and performing full time. 

Q: You’re the new Executive Director of the Edmonton Poetry Festival. Why was that opportunity exciting to you? A: I love event planning and on the best and worst days I’m the person who gets to give opportunities to poets to have their work heard. This is one of the best jobs you can have in the poetry world. 

Q: What are some projects you’re hoping to take on as Poet Laureate? A: I want to invest quite a bit of time into mentorship. Mentorship is something this city thrives on in the business community, and I think we should treat art the same way. Art is work, art is a commitment people have made, and we should honour that by offering them the same opportunities for development as we would any other profession. I’m also excited to have deep learning workshops and hosting them both in-person and online to reduce any barriers to entry so that anyone who is serious about improving their craft can really access those opportunities. I’m also just excited to perform for new audiences in the city. 

Q: You had done a mentorship residency at The Nook earlier this year, can you share more about that? A: Having a residency in a physical location that the public frequented meant that that location became a place for our profession. Poets started treating The Nook as a place to gather as a side effect of my residency there, so more people started to frequent The Nook as a business and as a performance venue in the city and that’s helped to establish a reputation for The Nook. Personally, it helped me grow very, very quickly into a role where I teach others. 

Q: Your chapbook, Limited Success, is in its second printing. How has your work evolved since its publication? A: I called it Limited Success because when it was published (May 2018) I felt like I had achieved a limited amount of success but I was still really happy with the amount of progress I had made. It was also a farewell to a style of writing I had become really comfortable with. Since then my work has evolved to take on very deep and complicated meditations on the stories of my life and the topics that I encounter every day. Themes like being queer or being a person of colour or being an immigrant now take on additional layers of complexity that I hadn’t been able to explore through the medium of spoken word before. 

Q: How would you describe Edmonton’s arts community? A: The Edmonton arts and poetry communities are so forgiving, if you have an idea and you want to go through with it and it doesn’t work out, there’s always an opportunity to try something else or try again. I find in other arts communities there can be a lot of competition, but Edmonton is a community that really wants to grow together and pull everyone up along with them so you’re not leaving anyone behind. 

Q: How do you plan to promote Edmonton on an international stage? A: I plan to tour nationally again in the fall, and I’d like to tour internationally to places where the diaspora community is really large—places where people have immigrated to, regardless of which community they’re from, and where they have that experience of that dual identity.

#edmonton #edmontonpubliclibrary #cityofedmonton #yegdt #epldotca #poetlaureate #nishapatel

[cgpimagery]

Downtown at Dusk . . . . . . #dusk #duskphotography #sunrise #sunrisephotography #city #cityofedmonton #cityphotography #cityphotography #cityscape #downtownphotography #downtownedmonton #sky #skylines #photooftheday #photography #skylight #edmontonphotography #edmontonphoto #edmontonphotographer #yegphotography #yegphotographer #yeg #edmonton_city (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUcqnySFKRP/?utm_medium=tumblr

#dusk #duskphotography #sunrise #sunrisephotography #city #cityofedmonton #cityphotography #cityscape #downtownphotography #downtownedmonton #sky #skylines #photooftheday #photography #skylight #edmontonphotography #edmontonphoto #edmontonphotographer #yegphotography #yegphotographer #yeg #edmonton_city

[jacksoncrabb]

A touch of class in the heart of Edmonton. Roger's Place, The Sky Residence, Stantec Tower, JW Marriot, City of Edmonton Tower, MacEwan Station and 103rd Street. . . #yeg #103rdstreet #yeglocal #yeglifestyle #yeggers #cityscape #stantectower #rogersplace #architecture #jwmarriot #skyscrapers #skyresidence #macewanstation #atouchofclass #cityofedmonton (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/COCPvS9AWI1/?igshid=jmgu18iwnp6u

#yeg #103rdstreet #yeglocal #yeglifestyle #yeggers #cityscape #stantectower #rogersplace #architecture #jwmarriot #skyscrapers #skyresidence #macewanstation #atouchofclass #cityofedmonton

[jyotibhusal]

Amazing 🤩 Edmonton 🌃 at night!! #notdeadmonton #edmontonskyline #edmonton #cityofedmonton . . . . . #canada #travel #travelphotography #photooftheday #thingstodoinedmonton #edmontonalberta #edmontonliving #edmontonoilers #yeg (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHCHqxcg6-G/?igshid=kmbxfkk8yecn

#notdeadmonton #edmontonskyline #edmonton #cityofedmonton #canada #travel #travelphotography #photooftheday #thingstodoinedmonton #edmontonalberta #edmontonliving #edmontonoilers #yeg

[yegfoodie]

REPOST • @sunset_reggae_kitchen_official On a cold day like today all you need is hot bowl of Chicken soup. Swing by sunset reggae kitchen or call and order yours now limited amount left. Call: 780-540-1200 Or find us on skip the dishes or Doordash.🍲 🍲🍜Get Yours Now!!🍜🍲 #yegsoup #edmontoneats #albertafoodielifeee #yegfoodies #edmontonrestaurant #foodie_features #restaurantscanada #edmontonlive #cityofedmonton #caribbeanfoodies #skipthedishesedmonton https://www.instagram.com/p/B7HuYm-gKSP/?igshid=1tberqr12ra06

#yegsoup #edmontoneats #albertafoodielifeee #yegfoodies #edmontonrestaurant #foodie_features #restaurantscanada #edmontonlive #cityofedmonton #caribbeanfoodies #skipthedishesedmonton

[heavyedhunt]

AGeographyofCutting #edhunt #edhuntart #stuiotenseven #cityofedmonton #grantmacewan #samu #lino #linoleum #close-up #geography #mapping #printmaking #archersofloaf #toast #screw #realitycheck #detail https://www.instagram.com/p/B2NWd7vAVmb/?igshid=n82tgfm7r3xg

#edhunt #edhuntart #stuiotenseven #cityofedmonton #grantmacewan #samu #lino #linoleum #close #geography #mapping #printmaking #archersofloaf #toast #screw #realitycheck #detail

[rubroohphotography]

On June 21st it is National Indigenous Peoples Day! On June 21st, we celebrate the strong heritage, beautiful diverse cultures, and many outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis People! #indigenouspeople #cityofedmonton #canada #historyofcanada #explorecanada #explore #exploreedmonton #instayeg #edmontonindigenousart #edmontonart #yegwomen #yegstreetart #yegphotographers #yegdowntown #expocenternorte #north #wearenorthern #edmontonoilers@cityofedmonton (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzColYRFiLy/?igshid=po2kgxkl5isp

#indigenouspeople #cityofedmonton #canada #historyofcanada #explorecanada #explore #exploreedmonton #instayeg #edmontonindigenousart #edmontonart #yegwomen #yegstreetart #yegphotographers #yegdowntown #expocenternorte #north #wearenorthern #edmontonoilers

[sacredsocialjustice]

Three events in the McCauley and Boyle Street neighbourhoods to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ("Orange Shirt Day"). There were a number of events in the area - these were the ones I was able to attend. In the morning was a gathering outside Ambrose Place, which provides permanent, supportive, culturally-sensitive housing to Indigenous people. In the early afternoon, the Standing Together Orange Shirt Day Community Walk went from Mary Burlie Park to Caboto Park, including going past Ambrose Place and Sacred Heart Church. The walk was supported by @cityofedmonton and @ywca_edmonton. In the evening, Boyle Street Plaza was packed for a round dance, to close a full day of ceremony and sharing organized by the @creatinghopesociety called Calling Our Spirits Back. -- #yeg #yegdt #nationaldayfortruthandreconciliation #orangeshirtday #reconciliation #Indigenous #photojournalism #yegphotographer https://www.instagram.com/p/CjLJF46rdPN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#yeg #yegdt #nationaldayfortruthandreconciliation #orangeshirtday #reconciliation #indigenous #photojournalism #yegphotographer

[mrwhiterock]

#Repost @nicolekarkic with @get_repost the #cityofedmonton is welcome in #whiterockbc ・・・ Smoke from wildfires in Northern Alberta has spread into cities like Edmonton and Calgary. And the hazy skies you might be seeing parts of Ontario today is also from the smoke! #toronto #edmonton #wildfires #abfires (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByL8qVJBvYV/?igshid=37ntpbszophx

#repost #cityofedmonton #whiterockbc #toronto #edmonton #wildfires #abfires

[tjtaligato]

With the summer coming up, make sure to do something fun. That might mean spending some time with your best bud. . @sherlan1989 . . . . . @moment x #momentchallenge . . . #momentcamera #momentapp #momentwide #shotonmoment #momenttravel #landscape_ #landscapes_lovers #landscape_photo #landscapes_captures #landscapes_unlimited #edmonton_city #yegedmonton #cityofedmonton #edmontoncity #edmontonalberta #yeggers_ #travelalberta #bridgesoftheworld (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMw9gMPB4jg/?igshid=w44jn2myqpuo

#momentchallenge #momentcamera #momentapp #momentwide #shotonmoment #momenttravel #landscape_ #landscapes_lovers #landscape_photo #landscapes_captures #landscapes_unlimited #edmonton_city #yegedmonton #cityofedmonton #edmontoncity #edmontonalberta #yeggers_ #travelalberta #bridgesoftheworld

[yegarts]

Kids connect with Edmonton’s past, present & future

(The Virginia Park Elementary School Grade 5 class with Amy Malbeuf’s Iskotew - photo courtesy of City Hall School)

They journaled, they jumped, and they connected with the stories of this place.

The Grade 5 class from Virginia Park School visited ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞, Edmonton’s Indigenous art park, earlier this month. Facilitated by Edmonton Arts Council Public Art Officer Chelsea Boida, the tour guided the students through the six artworks within Queen Elizabeth Park.

(Students explore Marianne Nicolson’s Preparing to Cross the Sacred River at ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ - photo courtesy of City Hall School)

The tour was one of many activities in which the class participated during their week at City Hall School. The immersive, hands-on program connects students to their city, curriculum and career pathways. Students not only spend a week in a dedicated classroom at City Hall, but also participate in curriculum enrichment activities throughout the school year. In addition to teaching kids about City Council and how municipal government works, the program offers arts-based activities as a way of animating subjects such as art, social studies, language arts, math, and science. For City Hall School, connecting students with Edmonton’s public art presents a creative way of encouraging imaginative learning.

(Student with journal - photo courtesy of the school)

The students are expected to actively engage with the subject matter by journaling about their impressions, thoughts and feelings. The visit to ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ inspired sketches and lively journal entries as well as commentary on the weather.

(Sketch page from a Virginia Park student’s journal)

“I liked going to the Indigenous art park and seeing the sculptures. I love the steps and the Cree dialect piece it was very cool”.

“Today we went to the Indigenous Art Park . Every 10 minutes we would go on the bus because it was so cold. We saw a piece that had 3 levels built out of different materials. We saw 2 murals with animals and lots of colour on it. There was a piece with a coyote on a high ridge with a bunny underneath. We saw a word which meant fire in Cree. We saw a piece that looked like a tooth, but it was a bone painted in white. My favourites were the colourful mural one with animals”.

“Today I enjoyed going to the Indigenous art park because there was amazing art and they are outside. I liked the turtles because of all the mosaic pieces. The only bad part was how cold it was outside. We had to go back in the bus to warm up.”

(Colourful beaver detail of mamohkamatowin (Helping One Another) by Jerry Whitehead)

Parents are huge fans as well and, like their kids, journaled about the experience.

“The Indigenous Art Park was AMAZING. The wonderful use of creativity and the Cree language was very cool. That colorful little beaver on the turtle mosaics was a highlight for me. So colorful and happy”.

(Virginia Park Elementary School students with mikikwan, Duane Linklater’s reimagining of an ancient hide scraper - photo courtesy of the school)

“For me, today was very inspiring to be at the art park. I really feel that these are the first steps to making the connection with the citizens of Edmonton. A connection to healing the past, to move forward as partners in this great city. All of our lives are important and we all matter. A connection to the past, a connection to the past, and a connection to a great future together”.

You can follow the public art (and other) adventures of City Hall School on  Twitter @CityHallSchool

City Hall School is one of 13 programs offered in Edmonton by Inquiring Minds.

#cityhallschool #yegarts #yegpublicart #iniwriverlot11 #canadianindigenousart #indigenousart #publicart #amymalbeuf #duanelinklater #jerrywhitehead #edmontonpublicschoolboard #inquiringminds #yegdt #cityofedmonton #mariannenicolson

[codexx12]

Beautiful #landscape #cityofedmonton #downtown #like4like #tuesdayvibes

#landscape #cityofedmonton #like4like #downtown #tuesdayvibes

[facesofedmonton]

“This is Michael Recycle. He’s from the city to encourage recycling. He does everything. He even dances.”

#yeg #edmonton #cityofedmonton #portrait #photooftheday #recycle #alberta #humansof #humansofedmonton