STONY PLAIN, AB: A prominent street of Stony Plain is set to welcome a vibrant new look as a series of creative-designed community banners are installed along Highway 779 (Fifth Meridian/48 Street). These banners celebrate the spirit, diversity, and heritage of Stony Plain while marking one of the Town’s largest banner installations to date.

In support of Stony Plain’s Banner Strategy, a public Call for Art campaign was launched this past summer, inviting local creatives to submit concepts reflecting Stony Plain’s identity and community values. The campaign received enthusiastic participation with 29 designs submitted. Of the 29 submissions, 10 met design specifications and were reviewed by a jury panel comprised of Cultural Roundtable members and Town staff. Four finalists were ultimately chosen, and two of the designs proceeded to production alongside a third banner created by the Town for a complete set of three.

“The new banners not only add vibrancy to our public spaces but also reflect the diverse cultural identity making our community unique,” says Mayor William Choy. “I believe they will be a welcome addition for residents and visitors alike as they travel along one of our primary routes.”

The selected designs each tell a unique story, with the work of local creatives Julia Gibot and Teagan Jensen:

Julia Gibot’s piece, Three Sisters: Past, Present, and Future, honours Stony Plain’s journey through time. “This piece was created to show Stony Plain's past, present, and future,” says Julia. The design features a steam engine representing the town’s early days, inspired by Sheriff Israel Umbach chaining the Canadian Northern Railway to the tracks in 1907. The centre of the banner depicts Dog Rump Creek, the area’s original name, while paved bike and walking trails reflect the town’s growth and accessibility, connecting the community today and into the future. The final element, "The Three Sisters," symbolizes Stony Plain’s Urban Agriculture initiative, where corn, squash, and beans are grown together as part of a sustainable gardening practice. Julia shares, "The Three Sisters garden-style embodies growth and unity—values I see reflected in Downtown Stony Plain’s small-scale urban gardens, which help us grow our future."

Teagan Jensen’s banner design, Roots of Diversity, celebrates the relationship between Stony Plain and its sister-town, Shikaoi, Japan. “This piece seeks to embody the acceptance and beauty of diversity through cultural differences,” says Teagan. The artwork merges symbolic Japanese elements—such as cranes, kimono silk, and yellow cherry blossoms—with familiar images from Stony Plain, including the Rotary Park bridge, lamp posts, wheat stalks, and wagon wheels, to create a unified design symbolizing cultural harmony. Raised in the Tri-Municipal Region, Teagan draws on both sides of her family heritage—one rooted in local farming, the other in Japanese tradition. “Diversity and acceptance are at the core of my family,” Teagan shares, “and this piece has been a meaningful way to represent that.”

“As part of our Banner Strategy, we are excited to bring these incredible designs to life,” says Stephanie Barsby Boisvert, Manager of Corporate Communications. “Public art plays a key role in building a cohesive and welcoming atmosphere, and this installation showcases our ongoing commitment to promoting local talent and fostering community pride.”

Installation of the new banners will begin this week and will proceed in phases along one of Stony Plain’s busiest corridors, Highway 779. Drivers are advised to slow down and remain alert for equipment and workers throughout the installation period. Learn more about Art in Public Places and Stony Plain’s ongoing Banner Strategy.