Artist // Heart of the City (Telus Convention Centre - 120 9 Ave SE)
Article// Kristy Archibald & Jenna Cavanagh

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself!
A: I am a full time artist, I split my work time between gallery pieces, instructing and contract work. Each of these add variety to my week. 


Q: Tell us about the work you usually do as an artist.
A: I’m primarily paint with acrylic on canvas, typically still life or landscape work. Relief printmaking and letterpress are also passions of mine.


Q: How would you describe your artistic “style”?
A: My personal work tends to be representational with a lot of buried symbolism, however I love to let my imagination roam in public work pieces or in my printmaking. Those tend to have a more storybook or illustrated look to them. 


Q: What is one of your most recent projects, or a project you’re most proud of working on?
A: Around a year ago I wrapped up the Intersection Art Project where I worked with a different Calgary non-profit each month for a year to collaborate on a painting. They told me their organization’s vision and I translated it to a piece of art.


Q: What was the inspiration or story behind Heart of the City?
A: A big memory for my family is going skating outside in the winter. I think it is a very Canadian thing to do and I wanted to capture the urban setting with twinkling buildings as the backdrop to the family that is skating. 


Q. How did the AR aspect of this exhibition influence how you created Heart of the City? 
A: It was a unique challenge! I wanted to set up my painting in such a way as to give my animator lots of places they could easily put their touch to our project. 


Q: In your opinion, what makes Calgary a special place to be in the wintertime?
A: Calgary is an outdoor community. Other cities shut down in the winter but Calgary seems to have many amazing opportunities (such as this exhibit) to bring your family downtown during the winter months. 


Q:What would you say to convince Calgarians to come downtown and interact with the Northern Reflections Window Exhibition?
​A: This AR component will even win over your teenagers for a fun, family outing! A reason to walk around with your cell phone out is all they need to be on board.
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Facebook: Michelle Wiebe Art
Twitter: @Michelle_Wiebe
Instagram: @mw.artco
Photography by Kuni Kawashima