The City of Fort St. John recognizes that public art enhances the environment by increasing the use and enjoyment of public space and building social connections.
Art Installations
Artists: Francine Freeman-Wedrat, Simone Olanski, Sophie Zaldy
In partnership with Moose Media, Artist in Residence Francine Freeman-Wedrat led emerging local artists Simone Olanski and Sophie Zaldy to create a stunning, large-scale mural on the side of the building. This mentorship-based project aimed to build local capacity for future public art commissions by providing hands-on experience in mural design, materials, weatherproofing, and navigating municipal processes such as applications and permits. Thanks to Braun’s Flooring for sponsoring the required supplies.
Artists: Azaria Richards, Eliza Stanford, Josh Leclerc (Toe Fish), Wendy Wheat
In 2024, the City initiated the Utility Box Art Wrap Program, calling on artists connected to Fort St. John to submit designs that reflect the community’s people and places. The call for artists is now complete, and several vibrant wraps have already been installed in the downtown core, with more to come. This initiative enhances the urban experience, supports artistic development, and helps deter graffiti vandalism.
Artists: A. Acko, Austin & Connor (SD60), B. Kosugi, E. Stanford, E. & A Koselak (SD60), P. Lidudmyla, V. Butler, K. Carlson, Valentine & Quinn (SD60).
In 2024, the City and the Fort St. John Community Arts Council launched the Bike Rack Design Artist Call, inviting local artists and students to submit imaginative concepts for functional public art. Ten winning designs were selected and expertly fabricated by ArcTech Welding, resulting in 20 artistic bike racks now installed across Fort St. John. These eye-catching installations bring both utility and visual interest to our streetscapes.
Optik was created by The Urban Conga in collaboration with Serge
Maheu, produced by Init and is powered by Creos.
An interactive installation by The Urban Conga, Optik reflects on our ability to play with our surroundings while giving the opportunity for brand new point of views on our daily environment. It provides a unique platform for users to manipulate at free will how they want to see the world.
The ten 6 feet (1,8 meters) gyroscope-like forms with, at the center, a dichroic film, offer new ever-changing opportunities that reflect any ray of lights during the day while refracting the inner rings
lighting at dusk. As the audience rotates each unit, they create their own endless cascade of colors. The experience is raised to another level as sound joins us on the rhythmical effort, turning each unit into a different musical instrument.
Through movement and reflection of light, each of these colorful units encourages the public to engage with another unit and other people within the space, sparking spontaneous conversations, dance parties, jam sessions, light shows, and to finally see each and everyone’s true color.
Optik transports people away from their daily routine and into a state of play; it is no longer just a
photogenic monument within a space and becomes a communal hub for social connection.
Artist: Ovvian Castrillo Hill
The Drum of Concordia (Roman Goddess of Harmony) is an interactive installation to depict the harmony of the various cultures that make up the Fort St. John society. It represents a large-scale drum that people could walk through. Its canopy is held up by truss posts featuring various fabrics and elements from many cultures found in our area - showing how the shade and comfort come as a result of us standing together in harmony in a place we all call home. It is this partnership in community building that makes us one.
