Southcentre Mall just launched CHROMA, a massive must-see art installation

Calgary’s local arts scene is booming right now with emerging artists creating phenomenal pieces.

Located in South Calgary, Southcentre Mall is dedicated to supporting local art and community. That’s why the mall has launched a massive installation covering 3,600 sq. ft. called CHROMA.

The free public art collective features original designs from eight local artists and creators, all curated by Promoting Artists Redefining Kulture (PARK).

From now through June 16, you can check out the work of local talent including Tyler Lemermeyer, Maria Dina Galura, Rei Duncan, Marika Styba, Rachael Meckling, Rhys Farrell, Caine Chow, and Michelle Hoogveld.

Each piece is inspired by the installation’s name, which means purity or intensity of colour, and created using each artist’s preferred style and medium — from painted murals to textured and multi-dimensional displays. The result? A breathtaking, immersive, and totally Instagram-worthy, experience.

Now let’s take a moment to look at the artists behind these epic art pieces.

Maria Divina ‘Dinaʼ Gracia Galura, AKA Maria Galura, is the artist and owner at Calgary Party 50. A self-taught balloon installation artist (how cool is that?), her goal is to share her art with the community, using biodegradable balloons. She has two pieces featured in CHROMA — Kalimbahin and Tropicalla.

Tyler Lemermeyer, an illustrator and artist living in Calgary, creates compositions using a minimal colour palette which documents urban environments, people, and objects — drawing inspirations from the world that surrounds him. Most of this work is created digitally and you’ll want to see his CHROMA pieces Aura, Practically Passion, and Nostalgia (the Lego wall).

Emerging Calgary artist, Rhys Douglas Farrell has his Diamonds in the Sky artwork featured at CHROMA. Farrell recently completed three international residencies with Pinea & Linea De Costa A.I.R program in Spain, Graniti Murales in Sicily, and the TARP Program in Kuala Lumpur with Taksu Gallery.

Canadian painter and muralist Michelle Hoogveld’s piece, Kaleidoscope of Dreams, is definitely one to check out as you explore CHROMA. Known primarily for her vibrant use of colour, Hoogveld’s work is inspired by who we are as people, the places we encounter, and the connections we form with others. Experience working with clients like Lululemon LA, the CMLC, and the 4th Street SE Underpass, allow her to continue adding colour to as many surfaces as possible.

Another artist whose work, Femmes Tropicale, that you’ll get to see at Southcentre Mall is Rachael Meckling. A fashion and beauty illustrator, Meckling paints whimsical, feminine subjects with a minimalist approach. Her illustrations can be seen in fashion publications such as Fashion, and Flare, and she also created a fashion animation that’s currently running on CTV to support the Christian Dior exhibition at the Glenbow.

Rei Duncan, the self-taught artist behind Sachi&Jun, specializes in macramé and modern woven tapestries. An elementary school teacher by day, Rei has recently relocated to Calgary from Melbourne, Australia. She has teamed up with visual artist Caine Chow who works with Japanese planting styles of kokedama, “moss ball plants” and wabikusa, to create two CHROMA pieces —  San•go (corals in Japanese) and  Mo•ri (forest in Japanese).

Lastly, floral artist and maker, Marika Styba, has two works featured in CHROMA — Secret Eden and Keep In Touch. Styba’s venture into flowers was essentially out of necessity as she worked through university. In 2006, she and her husband purchased Peaseblossoms flowers and have made floral creations for supported Calgary Folk festival, Calgary Arts development, and Calgary Women’s Shelter, to name a few.

To add to the CHROMA festivities, events and workshops will be taking place over the course of six weeks, including pop-up markets and a family-friendly tea party. You can find out more about these exciting workshops here.

CHROMA is the first public art installation of this magnitude and spectrum in the city, and it’s free to attend! Southcentre’s hope is that this installation supports the local arts scene and builds a greater connection between the community and local makers and entrepreneurs.

Don’t miss your chance to see CHROMA!

CHROMA and Pop-Up Events

When: May 3 to June 16
Where: Southcentre Mall, Centre Court —  100 Anderson Road SE
Price: FREE (some pop-up events may be ticketed)