At our May 20 meeting, we welcomed Eman Safadi, Community Outreach Manager for the BUMP Festival, to discuss how public art shapes our city.
Since 2017, BUMP has operated as a city-wide street art movement, challenging the idea that urban walls should remain blank. With over 460 public art installations, 160+ murals, and engagement from more than 135 Canadian artists, the festival is actively transforming Calgary. Safadi highlighted major achievements, including facilitating the tallest mural in the world and community initiatives like "Road Works," which empowered early-career artists to paint traffic barriers.
Looking ahead to 2026, BUMP plans to elevate its global reach through an Urban Art Conference, year-round programming, and new sculptural elements. Safadi’s presentation was a powerful reminder of how public art beautifies our daily spaces and fosters civic pride. If you missed Safadi's presentation, click here to view.
