Public art in Calgary

Calgary's streets, alleyways, and plazas are filled with incredible works of art that bring delight and curiosity to locals and visitors alike. Explore some of the best public art in Calgary from the Peace Bridge and Wonderland to the Corridor of Connection and the Centre Street Lions.

Internationally renowned German artist DAIM added the world’s tallest mural to downtown Calgary as part of the BUMP Festival in 2022. The mural took three weeks to complete, 500 cans of spray paint in orange, black, grey, blue, and white, and stands 95 m (312 ft) high.

Location: First on Tenth, 123 10 Avenue SW

Pickup basketball games and your latest Instagram shot deserve a good backdrop. The Bounce Games Park in East Village  includes this colourful mural by artist duo MAUD, along with a basketball court, ping pong tables, and hopscotch too.

Location: 8 Ave SE

Spanish artist Jaume Plensa’s Wonderland welcomes visitors to The Bow  building in downtown Calgary. The sculpture of a young girl’s head is an impressive 12 metres high and you can even wander inside the sculpture for a whole new perspective on Calgary.

Location: 110 6 Ave SE

10,260 books in 12 colours put you right in the fishbowl on the third floor of the Calgary Central Library . Artist Christian Moeller brings the panoramic Fish  to life while you get lost in a good book or peer into the light filled atrium of this architectural wonder in East Village.

Location: 800 3 St SE

Two businessmen pause for an important conversation. This simple moment of community is the setting for The Conversation, a bronze statue on Stephen Avenue, and a must-see piece of public art in Calgary.

Location: 200-216 8 Ave SW

True to Calgary’s western heritage, artist Jill Stanton’s  colourful cowboy boots mural on 17th Avenue will have you two stepping your way to the next mural. The BUMP Festival uses the blank side of buildings as its canvas with new public art popping up around every corner.

Location: 1126 17th Ave SW

Over 100 years ago, the Centre Street Lions  made their first appearance atop the Centre Street Bridge in downtown Calgary. Today, one of the original lions sits atop a new perch in Rotary Park  for the perfect photo op overlooking downtown Calgary.

Location: 617 1 St NE

Connecting the vibrant East Village and the emerging Victoria Park neighbourhood, the Corridor of Connection is a colourful mural along the 4th Street SE underpass. Calgary artist Michelle Hoogveld  painted for seven weeks, using 70 gallons of paint, to create this 290 m (950 ft) mural along both sides of the underpass.

Location: 5 St SW

Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava , as many as 6,000 people cross the Bow River on the Peace Bridge each day. Get your next Instagram shot of the Peace Bridge from the north side of the river with the Calgary skyline as the backdrop.

Location: Peace Bridge, Calgary, AB

Follow the twisting Galleria Trees and you’ll find yourself at the heart of Stephen Avenue in Downtown Calgary. LED lights and music bring these towering trees to life at the doorstep of Bankers Hall and The CORE Shopping Centre .

Location: 8 Ave SW

Add the Iron Horse to your tour of Stephen Avenue. Located in front of the classic steakhouse Saltlik , and one block from the Calgary Tower , the Iron Horse is constructed from mostly found metal and has become an iconic piece of downtown art and a favourite of photographers.

Location: 101 8 Ave SW