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New Horizon Mall brings art to life with new installation

Those doing their Christmas shopping at New Horizon Mall this holiday season will be able to check out a new interactive art installation.

Anyone Christmas shopping at New Horizon Mall this holiday season will be able to interact with a new, larger-than-life art installation.

The East Balzac-based shopping venue has unveiled Sweet Street, a gigantic art exhibit resembling a large board game on the floor. The installation is located in the mall’s main atrium and includes four-foot tall candy sculptures and a balloon arch designed by one of the mall’s shop owners.  

“Supporting local business has always been important to New Horizon Mall,” said Alex Winn, the mall’s marketing manager. “Now, more than ever, it’s going to take a collective effort to help keep these smaller operations afloat.”

According to Winn, Sweet Street is a collaboration between New Horizon Mall's management and Promoting Artists, Redefining Kulture (PARK). According to ourparkonline.com, PARK works with local artists to create murals and interactive art experiences in community spaces. The projects allow artists to share their work with larger audiences and support local businesses.

Artists who produced works for Sweet Street include Tyler Lemermeyer, Rachael Meckling, Wari Willie-Pepple and Ekaterina Shagaeva.

“PARK is a community-oriented platform and they’re dedicated to uplifting and celebrating local entrepreneurs, small businesses and artists,” Winn said. “I did some research on them, saw some of their work throughout Calgary and knew they were a natural partnership for New Horizon Mall, because that was really in line with our values and what we’re all about as well.”

Sweet Street also includes a contest element, according to Winn. She said every two weeks, the mall will hold a draw for a $25-value gift to someone who posts photos of the installation to Instagram using #YYSweet and #NewHorizonMall.

“It is a great Instagrammable space, so we encourage people to come in and take some pictures with the pieces,” she said.

Winn said the goal of Sweet Street is to add some vibrancy to the mall this holiday season while attracting people out to the shopping venue.

“Obviously, with the new government restrictions, New Horizon Mall and Sweet Street have been affected, but we’ve followed all the health directives from the Alberta government and will continue to do so,” she said. “We’ll now be limited to 25 per cent occupancy, under the Alberta fire code, but we provide a safe shopping experience for our customers…and with our social distancing Santa as well, we’re still adding a little bit of safe fun to the mix.”

Sweet Street will be set up throughout the holiday season and into the new year, Winn said. She added the mall wants to transform it into an interactive piece for Valentine’s Day, as well.

“The great thing about Sweet Street is that the instalment does allow for social distancing,” she said. “We have sanitizer provided and the surfaces are sanitized throughout the day. It’s a great opportunity to bring your kids out and get some great pictures for the holiday season.”

Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19

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