Art in Public Places 

Exploring the Public Art of Stony Plain

The Town of Stony Plain is a vibrant community rich in cultural expression and history. A walk through the streets and parks reveals a treasure trove of public art, each piece telling a unique story and offering a glimpse into the town’s spirit and values. Here’s your guide to some of Stony Plain’s most captivating public art installations.

Aboriginal Medicine Wheel (2018)

Located in Heritage Park (5100-41 Avenue), this collaborative masterpiece was created by local potters and youth during the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. The wheel, decorated over two years, symbolizes the Circle of Life, the four directions (North, East, South, and West), and the wisdom of animals—the buffalo, eagle, bear, and wolf. This piece, led by Tracie Mandrek with the Parkland Potters' Guild, serves as a vibrant testament to Indigenous culture and community involvement.

Alberta Winter Games Legacy Monument (2012)

Also found at Heritage Park, this massive 26.5-ton boulder is engraved with the lyrics of the 2012 Winter Games song, encapsulating the spirit of athletic achievement and community pride.

Community Street Banners

Throughout the streets of Stony Plain, colorful banners adorn Veterans Boulevard, Downtown, Golf Course Road, and Highway 779. Created by artists Angela Hall, Stephan Garneau, Julia Gibot, and Teagan Jensen, these banners are part of an ongoing Public Art Banner Strategy, infusing the town’s thoroughfares with creativity and local talent.

Enduring Connections (2019)

This striking iron and horseshoe sculpture stands at Heritage Park. Artist Paul Reimer used traditional blacksmithing techniques to forge this piece, representing the strong relationships within the Stony Plain community. Local residents contributed to the project by transforming donated horseshoes into wheatgrass seed pods during forging workshops.

Horse and Rider (1974)

A commemorative fountain located at Red Brick Common (5411-51 Street), this piece by Don Bednar celebrates the RCMP centennial. It depicts a Mountie leading his horse over a stream, blending history with natural beauty.

Magpies (2022)

Artist David Mcauley’s whimsical magpie sculptures are hidden around Stony Plain, each telling a unique story. Finding these hidden gems is an interactive adventure for residents and visitors alike, guided by clues found in a book.

Sheriff Israel Umbach Statue (1997)

Standing tall in Rotary Park (4815-44 Avenue), this six-foot, 400-pound sculpture of Sheriff Umbach was crafted by Shane Repka. Made from scrap metal and bronze, it portrays the sheriff’s legendary act of chaining a train to the tracks to collect overdue taxes from the railroad.

Story Time and Golden Years (2008)

Located at Town Hall (4905-51 Avenue), these statues by Max Turner and Ken Morris symbolize the connection between generations and the sharing of knowledge from old to young. They were commissioned for Stony Plain’s centennial celebrations.

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Poetry Panels

In 2020, poetry panels representing the four seasons were added to the gazebo in Rotary Park.

4815 44 Avenue

We Learn, Grow, and Transform Together

Painted in the Indigenous art style of a woodlands flower motif, each piece of this detailed mural carries symbolization that brings the piece together honouring the ways we learn, grow and transform. The bold colours and robust patterns have strong ties to humanity, the land and the important work of reconciliation.

The trailhead between the Pioneer Museum and Heritage Park

Trifecta

Stony Plain’s first public art bench is a combination of poured solid concrete and hand carved concrete rocks. The heaviness of the work conveys a sense of grounding while users are enjoying the outdoors.

50 Oatway Drive

Story Time and Golden Years

These statues represent old to young and how learning is shared. These statues were purchased for Stony Plain's 100th birthday.

4905 51 Avenue

Sheriff Israel Umbach Statue

Made for the real Sheriff Israel Umbach of early Stony Plain. He has his chains to chain the train to the tracks until he gets the taxes from the railroad. It is made from scrap metal and bronze. It is six feet and weighs 400 lbs.

4815 44 Avenue

Magpies

Hidden in multiple locations around Stony Plain. Get your Magpie guide at the Visitor Information Center or from any of Tourism Ambassador business. There are three magpies placed around Stony Plain and each has a unique story to share.

Horse and Rider

This fountain is a commemoration of the RCMP centennial. The sculpture represents a Mountie leading his horse over a stream.

5411 51 Street

Enduring Connections

Forged from iron and horseshoes this piece was created using centuries old blacksmithing techniques. The work represents the many important relationships the Town of Stony Plain hold with the community. Community members participated in the creation of the artwork through forging workshops held at the Stony Plain and Parkland Pioneer Museum where they assisted the artist in transforming donated horseshoes into the seed pods of the wheatgrass.

5100 41 Avenue

Disc Drumming (2018)

Use the mallets to make music on this sculpture. It is made of 11 agricultural disc harrows. This piece represents the farming history of Stony Plain.

Artists: James Cameron Smith & William Doef

Location: Rotary Park (4815-44 Avenue)

4815 44 Avenue

Alberta Winter Games Legacy Monument (2012)

This 26.5 ton boulder includes the engraving of the lyrics of the 2012 Winter Games song.

Location: Heritage Park (5100-41 Avenue)

5100 41 Avenue

Aboriginal Medicine Wheel (2018)

This piece was created by local potters and youth attendees at the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Stony Plain. The pieces of the wheel were decorated over two years together make up the wheel in its entirety. It represents North East South and West, the Circle of Life, and the wisdom of each animal the buffalo, the eagle, the bear and the wolf.

Lead Artist: Tracie Mandrek

Assisting Artists: Kathy Weiss, Heather Lyll, Diane Miele, Barb Watchman, Brenda Evjan, Donna Wakefield, and Jackie Billows of the Parkland Potters' Guild.

Location: Heritage Park (5100-41 Avenue)

5100 41 Avenue