The city’s botanical arts brand could be getting worldwide exposure, thanks to a new initiative from the city’s marketing department. Now people can buy St. Albert stamps complete with the leaf logo to help spread the word.
The city’s business and tourism development office recently launched the stamps as an added measure to promote the brand. Leanne McBean, the graphic design and marketing co-ordinator, says the product fit with the range of other promotional items that was already available.
“We find people come in sometimes looking for something St. Albert, whether they’re sending it to relatives or they’re here visiting. We thought this would be a nice package. It’s easy to put into a suitcase or mail it.”
A sheet of 40 stamps is $32 but people can also buy a package of four stamps and four postcards for $8.95. The stamps can be used to mail letters and parcels.
The postcards themselves are also a new and unique initiative. St. Albert business and tourism development partnered with the Musée Héritage Museum to obtain some quality images of the city from some photographers who participated in a youth photo contest and exhibit called Take Your Best Shot.
“We were just noticing the photos that came out of the contest were really great. We ended up using four of the images as our postcards. They were all so good!” she emphasized. “That was the hard part – just choosing. It was impressive.”
That exhibit was the museum’s way of rounding up the city’s 150th anniversary celebrations. It ended in early February after a three month run. It was comprised of dozens of images from the city’s youth aged eight to 18 years. The photographers were faced with the task of snapping shots of their favourite locations within the city. The results were alternatively scenic, dramatic and experimental.
Museum director Ann Ramsden was equally impressed with the show and the collaboration with the tourism department.
“It was a very successful exhibit and we are delighted to see it continue through these postcards,” she remarked.
She said that if it is successful then this partnership could foster similar promotions in the future.
“It’s a great way to get the public involved in the museum and in the community.”
These are available for purchase at the St. Albert Business and Tourism Centre on St. Albert Trail, as well as the gift shops both at the museum itself as well as the Art Gallery of St. Albert.
