Eye on the Esplanade: Rethinking access to art

By SIERRA ZUKOWSKI on June 25, 2021.

The downtown is the heart and soul of the city, from historic buildings to local shops and, of course, artwork. In Medicine Hat, we are lucky to have a downtown that champions the arts: vibrant murals, cafés filled with original art, and public spaces like the Esplanade and TREX Space.

During the pandemic, galleries have simultaneously been more and less accessible than they’ve ever been. With physical spaces closed, the focus shifted towards virtual programming through 3D tours, live streams and social media. These reached a new audience that might never have visited in person. But despite this technology, the craving for physical experiences persisted.

One of the best parts of my job has been contributing to projects that make art more accessible in pandemic and post-pandemic circumstances.

At TREX Space, we started installing “window exhibitions” while closed to the public. It has been so great to see all the faces peering through, enjoying the work. Now that we’re open again, we’ll continue to face some of the art outwards, creating an environment that can be enjoyed in many ways.

At the Esplanade, I’ve been project managing the new Tumbleweed Project Space: Four glass display cases along the building’s exterior façade where exhibitions can be viewed at street level. The first show in the space was installed during a sunny week in May. As we maneuvered artwork around outside, numerous people stopped to chat. Some were from out of town and others walked this route every day. The response to the new project space was overwhelmingly positive. Often, conversations led towards people’s personal experiences with art and the pandemic. One couple talked about their time homeschooling during the pandemic and showed me beautiful photos of their daughter’s artwork.

As things reopen and we begin to feel safe together once again, I hope Hatters are compelled to rediscover downtown, visit old favourite spots and take in new sights like the Tumbleweed Project Space and TREX Space. I invite you to use artwork, especially in these accessible areas, as a gateway back to connection and conversation that we have all dearly missed. The pandemic will soon be behind us, but these new ways of experiencing arts and heritage in our community are here to stay.

Sierra Zukowski, Travelling Exhibition Assistant

AFA Travelling Exhibition Program – TREX Southeast

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