"Paintbrush: Community Rising"

When artists come together, amazing things happen.

Conceived & fabricated by artist Lesley Russell, and created collaboratively with 22 Bow Valley artists, "Paintbrush" features two steel sculptures symbolizing a creative community. They are up for sale in an online auction that supports arts programming in the Bow Valley.

When artist Lesley Russell envisioned the next community art project, she knew it would be an ambitious undertaking. How ambitious? Well, it took several months of preparation and hundreds of work hours in collaboration with 22 local artists. The result? Two large steel sculptures, each of its 63 petals hand-painted by a different person.

“Paintbrush” is a representation of the indigenous wildflower that grows throughout our Valley. The Stoney people consider it medicine, and a symbol of individual expression. With that in mind, Bow Valley artists contributed their own unique style to a series of steel petals and leaves, painting live through the summer 2024 on Canmore’s Main Street. The addition of each petal slowly raised the sculpture, each individual voice adding another layer of meaning to this powerful piece.

This stunning feat of community rising, “Paintbrush” is a whimsical celebration and a powerful symbol of creative individuality and how vastly different artistic processes can come together in a cohesive, elegant, and beautiful piece of communal art. We thank Elevation Gallery for being a champion of this project.

These sculptures could be yours! You can bid on them now until Jan 13. The two sculptures are currently on display at artsPlace Canmore and can be viewed during regular opening hours. Proceeds will support artsPlace programming. 

artsPlace is a vibrant, welcoming space where Bow Valley residents and visitors can gather to discover, explore, and celebrate the arts and culture through a full range of classes, workshops, camps, live performances, films, exhibits, and community events.

Guided by our community and an unshakeable belief in the power of the arts and creativity to transform lives, artsPlace exists to inspire everyone to think differently and see themselves, and their world, in a new light.

We take our role as a community arts centre to heart; helping artists of all ages and abilities uncover their creative potential, explore their passions, and share their talents with the people they care about.

No matter your age, background, abilities, or financial means, you’re welcome here.

Enjoy a diverse slate of programming in our creative spaces and beyond, including a visual arts studio, ceramics studio, fabrication studio, the Hub Gallery, and the black box theatre.

artsPlace is operated by the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation, a registered charity, operating independently from the Town of Canmore.