Calder Community Mosaic, Calder Branch - Edmonton Public Library, Rebecca Bayer & David Gregory, 2018

The 4.8m x 2.4m mosaic mural is located in the Community Room of the new Calder Branch of the Edmonton Public Library.

The mosaic design is based on tessellating patterns within a grid of equilateral triangles, inspired by new and traditional patterns that were contributed by local residents at workshops held around the Calder neighbourhood in Spring 2016.

The final blended pattern represents the interdependence of parts within a whole.  Triangles have been used in patterns across cultures for millennia and patterned tile layouts have been used in public spaces to indicate use, provide way-finding, add beauty, encourage social interaction and offer inspiration. Geometrically, equilateral triangles provide many shape and pattern possibilities; they can create both linear and radial patterns, and can be arranged into hexagons, stars, diamonds, zig-zags, curves, and other shapes.

Calder, Edmonton is in Treaty Six Territory in Alberta and the neighbourhood is home to a significant immigrant population that represents cultures from all over the world.

In June 2016 we had the pleasure of spending time in Calder, Edmonton for a series of community pattern-making workshops that were organized with the generous assistance of Community Librarian Raquel ‘Rocky’ Mann from the existing Calder Branch Library. During our stay we met with the Northwest Seniors Society, the Edmonton Aboriginal Seniors Centre, the Edmonton Africa Centre, the Al Rashid Mosque, Calder Elementary School, and the general public at the existing Calder Branch Library.  We gathered over 200 patterns!  Individuals and groups of all ages shared their favourite patterns with us and created their own tessellating designs using painted cardboard tiles and colouring-in templates.

Each pattern was documented with the participant’s permission to be used as inspiration and input into the final design.  We sincerely thank all of the incredible workshop participants – we are so grateful for the beautiful variety of intriguing contributions.

Calder Community Mosaic facebook page - compilation of tile patterns contributed by local community

The new Calder Branch was opened to the public in March 2018.

​The Calder Community Mosaic was commissioned by the Edmonton Arts Council.

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