There’s a new chair in town.
It’s called the AIRdirondack, a play on Airdrie and Adirondack, and to explain it simply, the AIRdirondack is what cows were to Calgary.
“Remember the cow promotion? Artists created amazing works of art using cow statues as their muse,” said Sherry Shaw-Froggatt, project organizer.
“Well, we had the idea that Airdrie needed its own fun identity project that gave us both a heightened awareness for the creative talent in the area and a tourism effort to draw visitors to town and give them a reason to explore.”
So Shaw-Froggatt and Veronica Funk, one of Airdrie’s most prolific painters, decided the time had come to ‘chair’ the project.
“Veronica and I started this conversation about a year ago about getting things happening for the creative community,” said Shaw-Froggatt.
“And instead of asking for help or handouts, we came up with our own action plan and a starting point for an organization that will plan for a future centre for the arts in Airdrie. This is our first step.”
In explaining her reason for stepping up the challenge, Funk said that Airdrie residents need a gathering place.
“People in the community want to settle in, make this a home and that means a well-rounded society – a community filled with opportunity including arts and culture,” she said.
“Speaking to newer families, I have learned that they’ve missed a community gathering place for their children, for those in our community who don’t necessarily have an affinity for sports – a place where they can nourish their souls through the visual and performing arts. These chairs are symbolic of a place to be still, of settling in and growing roots.”
This made perfect sense to Qualico Communities which is developing the rapidly expanding Ravenswood community.
“It’s an absolutely fabulous project that has huge potential to grow and we are delighted to be in at the grass roots level,” said Lori Masse, marketing manager for Qualico Communities.
The artists who painted the chairs, donated by Airdrie Home Hardware, are a good cross-section of the visual arts talent in the community, says Funk, noting that all of the artists, including herself, have donated their time to create the chairs, which will be auctioned off in the fall.
The artists who have been selected to take part include Funk, Cheryl Bakke Martin, Brenda Campbell, Glen Collin, Maureen Demanuele, Susan Harris, Lori Presiloski, Rhea Warholik, Joelle and Carol White, Michelle Wiebe and Jane Romanishko.
Eleven of the chairs were unveiled June 12 at the Empty Bowls Festival in Nose Creek Park.
The 12th chair was prepped and kids were encouraged to grab a brush and add some colour.
“It turned out amazing.” said Funk.
The chairs are now on display at 12 locations around the city, including City Hall, Genesis Place, Fulton’s Home Hardware, Airdrie Co-op, Airdrie Public Library, both TD Canada Trust locations and all four Ravenswood show homes.
The works of art will be auctioned off Oct. 14 to raise funds to develop future space for the arts community.
“The Airdrondack Art Project is bringing people from all walks of Airdrie’s community to the table,” said Michael McAllister, community liaison with the City of Airdrie.
“In a very short time, (the project) has become a catalyst for those interested in making Airdrie a creative place to live, work and play.”
