By Caitlin Brezinski

PHOTOS: Global art movement makes its way to Prince Albert

Sep 19, 2014 | 5:11 PM

Parking spaces in downtown Prince Albert were transformed into pieces of art on Friday as part of the annual global project, PARK(ing) Day. PARK(ing) Day began in San Francisco in 2005 and involves citizens and artists coming together to create temporary public spaces around the world.

As part of Prince Albert’s first PARK(ing) Day, 10 students from St. Mary High School created three installations to draw awareness about specific issues.

Jordan Williams and his group created an installation on recycling by taking the idea of helping out the environment and connecting it to a basketball game.

“We want people to get more involved and interactive with helping out the environment while also allowing them to have fun while doing it,” Williams said.

Williams said they never know what the reaction from the public will be when it comes to this sort of project.

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

8h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

12h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

15h ago

“Some people might not enjoy it because it interferes with them, but at least it gets their attention to the issues,” he said.

An installation based on the distribution of wealth and poverty did attract attention from members of the public. One side of the project had a couch with other pieces of furniture representing wealth and the other side had a tarp and cardboard representing homelessness.

“We were pretty excited actually to come out here and actually give a point to the citizens of P.A. because there’s lots of homeless people here that don’t have what we have,” said Karissa Meyers, a member of the group.

Kassidy Klughart and her group had an installation based on community involvement. The group said they hoped the project would be a good influence on people to make a change in the community.

“We all need to work towards the common goal of getting involved and volunteering,” Klughart said.

The students’ art teacher, Nicole Charlebois-Rinas, said this project gives the students an opportunity to have an immediate reaction with the public and to think about the global connection.

“I’m hoping to … give them an idea that your art can make a difference, it can raise awareness, it can change how people think,” she said.

Although most of the students are graduating this year, they are looking forward to seeing what the next PARK(ing) Day brings.

“It’ll be interesting to see what next years’ Grade 12s might come up with to make a positive change in the world,” said Meyers.

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow