Redpoll Centre Public Art Commission

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Boreal Forest Stories – Lucie Buase

Lucie Buase Albertan artist and former Fort McMurray resident Lucie Bause was chosen to create new artwork that is currently installed in the public reception area of the Redpoll Centre in Shell Place. ACWB received funding for the project through the Alberta Foundation of the Arts (AFA) Public Art Commissions grant. The artwork commemorates the opening of the Redpoll Centre, a shared social profit workspace managed by the United Way of Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo, reflecting the values of collaboration, innovation, creativity, courage and integrity. The artwork was officially unveiled on September 29, 2017. Although the artwork is on display at the Redpoll Centre, it is part of the AFA’s provincial collection, a distinguished group of 2D and 3D art pieces by Albertan artists spanning decades.

Lucie Bause was chosen as the successful artist after a two-round selection process that was open to artists locally and across Alberta. Lucie says her work aims to “recognize and honour the relationships between all aspects of nature.” In her submission, Lucie defined her concept as the “renewal and regeneration of the forest and the Wood Buffalo region…[which] celebrates life and light in the local natural environment.” Lucie created a triptych, a set of three paintings that depict one cohesive image incorporating visual elements of the boreal forest and a stylized sun. In addition, Lucie has created a fourth painting in collaboration with local students, mixing the same boreal forest motif with mixed media butterflies. This piece visually pairs with the main triptych and is an important community collaboration project.

The Redpoll Centre in Shell Place, officially opened on September 9, 2015. ACWB was pleased to commission artwork to commemorate the opening of this community hub. “Arts Council Wood Buffalo is honoured to receive support from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to commission a unique piece of art that reflects the spirit of our community,” says Diana Moser, previous ACWB Programs & Partnerships Manager. “This project is an opportunity to increase the amount of publicly accessible art in our community, while also having our region represented within the province’s distinguished collection.” The AFA Public Art Commissions funding program helps not-for-profit organizations by providing a portion of the funding required to administer and commission a specific public art project, with the intent that the final work become part of the AFA permanent art collection. Now that the artwork is installed, the AFA will be responsible for its ongoing maintenance and long-term care.

ACWB is grateful for the financial support of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and support from the Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo for the project.