In response to Ted Durham's letter in the Gazette dated Sept. 26, 2015.
The facts are: On behalf of the City of St. Albert the Arts and Heritage Foundation manages and operates the Heritage Sites, MusĂ©e Heritage Museum and the Art Gallery of St. Albert. The Foundation is NOT responsible for the city's branding and crosswalk safety initiative. However it was great that it happened just in time for Canada's Culture Days. The Foundation is NOT responsible for the city's Art In Public Places Program. St. Albert is one of many communities throughout North America and Europe that have a policy whereby one per cent of any capital project goes towards public art. “Cone” a bronze sculpture recently unveiled at the new Rotary Park and the entrance to the Lois Hole Provincial Park and to our White Spruce Forest is a wonderful example of this program.
Mr. Durham also states that there is money in the new budget for an art gallery. The Art Gallery of St. Albert is one of 19 public art galleries in Alberta and has existed since 1985. In the city's 10-year capital plan there is an expansion planned to ensure the facility is accessible to all citizens including those with special needs. The expansion will also allow the gallery to meet the growing program demands.
Mr. Durham asks what kind of example are we setting for future generations? I say St. Albert is setting an amazing example, cultivating creativity, imagination and discovery.
We are inspiring artists, creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, writers, just to name a few. Without creativity we wouldn't have computers, games, music, cars, telephones, parks, sports facilities, lights, airplanes and the list goes on.
But more importantly: without creativity, St. Albert and the world doesn't have a chance of moving forward.
I am proud of St. Albert and all that we do. That is why St. Albert is Canada's best place to live and raise a family.
Thank you for this opportunity,
Deirdre Allen, St. Albert
