Hands of the Community Mural, 2019, detail shot.
Hands of the Community
Facilitated by The New Gallery (TNG) and the Calgary Chinese Community Service Association (CCCSA)
This permanent mural is located on the backside of The New Gallery in the Historic Canton Block Mural Alley in Calgary Chinatown.
Mural Description
In September 2009, during the 9th Annual Calgary Chinatown Street Festival, the first rendition of the Hands of the Community mural was created. As the first mural in Chinatown, it became symbolic of a community looking towards a brighter future.
With the guidance of the CCCSA, TNG facilitated the recreation of the Hands of the Community mural during the 18th Annual Calgary Chinatown Festival on August 17, 2019. TNG welcomed festival-goers to participate in transforming the backside of TNG’s Main Space, located in the alleyway of the historic Canton Block, through a communal effort to fill the space with colourful painted handprints.
In continuing the legacy of Hands of the Community, this project acknowledges the strength and growth of Calgary Chinatown while contributing another piece to the Canton Block alley’s notable collection of artwork rooted in the stories and history of Calgary Chinatown’s community.
Territorial Acknowledgments
TNG gratefully acknowledges its home on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region, including the Blackfoot Confederacy (Kainai, Piikani and Siksika), Métis Nation of Alberta Region III, Stoney Nakoda First Nation (Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley), and Tsuu T’ina First Nation. TNG would also like to acknowledge the many other First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have crossed this land for generations.
This project was made possible through support from the Calgary Chinese Community Service Association.
