Calgary's lesser known art: statues, paintings, memorials and manhole covers

This story was originally published April 23, 2016.

You know where to find Wonderland, the Famous Fiveand Chinook Arcbut here are ninefinds for even themost seasoned public arts aficionados,and a future project that you can be a part of.

1.General Wolfe statuein Mount Royal (1899)

You wouldn't necessarily expect to find a bronze statue of the British general who led troops into the Battle for the Plains of Abraham in Calgary but, indeed, he stands in South Mount Royal Park, which is aptly located between Wolfe Street, Quebec Avenueand Montcalm Crescent (MontcalmbeingWolfe'sadversary in the battle)in the city's southwest.

The statue itself originally adorned a building in New York City but was privately bought and donated to the city. It was installed at the city planetarium in 1967 and moved to its current location in 2009.

2. Winter Garden Chandeliers by Dale Chihuly (2009)

You can find Chihuly's beautiful, otherworldlyglass chandeliers on the Plus 15 level of Jamieson Place (308 FourthAveue S.W.) in its plant-filled and infinity-pooled Winter Garden.

The three chandeliers were made from 400 pieces of blown glass and assembled right in the garden.

3. Bloom by Michel de Broin (2015)

You can find de Broin's 24-metre tall sculpture, made out of streetlights and metal, on St. Patrick's Island. While its materials may seem out of place in such a natural setting, de Broin's work is inspired by the natural landscape and the urban cityscape.

In his artist statement about the piece, he explains how the sculptureblossoms at night as the lights come on in the evening and watch over the island.

4.Dichroic Glass Hexagonal Perturbation Triptych or Hat Trick 2010-2013 by Christian Eckhart(2013)

The massive 1,200-square-foot, three-paneled piece is made of dichroic glass, weighs10,000pounds and is made of 1,500 hand-made parts. It took three years for Calgary artist Christian Eckart to complete the project.

You can find the panels in the lobby of Centennial Place at 520 ThirdAve. S.W.

5. A Portrait of My Grandfather by Micah Lexier (1994)

In the atrium of the University of Calgary's Scurfield Hall hangs Lexier's work tens of thousands of small, laser-cut stainless steel Xs that flow almost like a waterfall from the ceiling.

But most don't know the sculpture is actually a portrait of Lexier's grandfather. Each X, cut in the shape of his handwriting, marks a day in his lifefor a total of 29,064 marks.

And there's a fitting connection the hall is part of the University's Haskayne School of Business, andLexier's grandfather was a small business owner.

6.The Boer War Memorial by Louis Philippe Hebert (1914)

You may already know the statue in the middle of Central Memorial Parkbut did you know it's the first piece of art commissioned by the City of Calgary?

According to independent curator Katherine Ylitalo, the artist was known to be one of the best equine sculptors of his time. Hebert used local horses and riders to create the realistic forms in the piece.

7. Bow Valley College Art Collection

If you haven't wandered Bow Valley College's downtown campus (332 SixthAve. S.E.) then you're missing out on a fantastic free trip to a great collection of art.

Since 2010, the college has worked to expand and display its art collection and works on loan from other galleries. The collection includes pieces by Joanne Cardinal-Shubert, Ron Moppett, Anne McKenzieand more.

8. Water Garden by Linda Covit (2009)

You probably don't have much of a reason to visit the City of Calgary's Water Centre (Spiller Road and25th AvenueS.E.). Butif you doyou'll find this bubbly, constantly flowing sculpture in the lobby.

Water Garden aims to visually translate the centre's purpose, with glass panels pieced between different poles at varying angles to emulate a wooded grove. Water flows between the glass, playing with and reflecting off the natural light coming through the centre's large windows.

9.Calgary's Manhole Covers (multiple years)

Keep an eye out underfoot, as the city has commissioned several rounds of projects for artists to decorate those round discs you rarely pay attention to. You may spot city skylines, Stampede iconsor even a2002 designfromGarry Williams calledChinookdepicting a cherubic face blowing a warm wind.

The City of Calgary has just put out a call for new manhole cover designs, so expect to see new designs in the future.

10.PLUS! 3D Canada by Douglas Coupland (2017)

Vancouver-based artist Douglas Coupland is known for bucking trends, and for one of his newest projectshe's travelling across the country and scanning miniature 3D busts of Canadians.

The final product will be shown in Simon's upcoming store in Toronto's Yorkdale Mall. But if you want a chance to meet Coupland and get scanned, he will be hosting an event at Calgary's CORE shopping centre downtown sometime in the spring of2017.

Calgary at a Crossroads is CBC Calgary's special focus on life in our city during the downturn. A look at Calgary's culture, identity and what it means to be Calgarian. Read more stories from the series at Calgary at a Crossroads, including:

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• Fort Calgary art installation evokes outlines of original fort
• ANALYSIS |Calgary's music scene, and how it shapes us
• Calgarians share their sacred spaces