2026 alberta summer games mural jam

Strathcona County invites individual artists and artist teams to participate in a live mural jam coinciding with the 2026 Alberta Summer Games. Over four days (Thursday–Sunday), five selected artists/teams will create medium-scale indoor murals around the circumference of an elevated running track overlooking an indoor soccer field. The public will be able to safely observe progress from the track, creating a dynamic exchange between artists and audience.

This call seeks artists whose work celebrates movement, care, collaboration, and the spirit of youth. We welcome proposals across styles, from bold graphic abstraction to figurative storytelling, so long as the final artworks are family friendly, inclusive and responsive to the site.

Details

• Painting weekend: Thursday to Sunday, July 16 – 19, 2026

• Location: Indoor Soccer Field & Running Track Concourse, Millennium Place, Sherwood Park, Alberta

• Number of murals: 5

• Audience: All-ages public, athletes, coaches, families, and visitors.

Site and mural specifications

• Site: Interior perimeter walls adjacent to the running track that circles an indoor soccer field at Millennium Place. Spectators will view murals from the track and concourse.

• Bays: Five distinct paint areas (one per selected artist/team).

• Approx. dimensions: ~14 ft (h) × 25 ft (w) per bay (each wall varies slightly). Please be prepared to adapt the composition to minor size differences.

• Surface: Painted interior wall (existing coatings to be confirmed).

• Access: Step ladders and portable scaffolding permitted

• Environmental conditions: Climate controlled interior; steady public traffic on the track.

• Lighting: Overhead facility lighting.

Theme and community guidelines

• Themes: Inclusivity · Timeless design · Non‑representational form · Action · Movement · Youthful energy. Designs that explore rhythm, cadence, and flow.

• Content standards: All imagery must be appropriate for all ages.

Materials and equipment

• County provides wall prep (wash/prime), basic onsite tools (drop sheets, buckets, rollers, trays), step ladders, access to water, and facility coordination.

• Artist provides: all paint, brushes, specialty colours, detail tools, PPE, sealers/varnishes as preferred (costs covered within the per / sq ft fee).

Schedule (subject to change)

• Notifications: February 2026

• Site walkthrough: March 2026

• Designs for selected artists: April 2026

• Painting days: Thursday–Sunday, July 16–19, 2026 (games weekend)

• Clean up and documentation: Sunday evening, July 19, 2026

Artist responsibilities

• Attend virtual orientation and onsite safety briefing.

• Ensure paints are low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), durable coatings suited to interior sports facilities.

• Protect floors and equipment; maintain a tidy work zone; follow all safety procedures.

• Work during public hours and be open to brief, informal interactions.

• Complete mural within the event timeline; participate in final photo/documentation and short artist spotlight.

County provides

• Prepared walls (cleaned/primed), drop cloths, basic rollers/brushes, and cleaning supplies.

• Step ladders/portable scaffold (as approved), access to water and wash stations, secure storage for materials.

• Event staffing, wayfinding, and crowd safety barriers on the track.

• Photography/video documentation and promotion through Summer Games channels.