Irum Khan, Edmonton
The Works Art & Design Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary with immersive storytelling, scent trails,
and a garden for the future.
Wheel of Scents, A Garden Party, Belly of the Bull, The Passenger Motel — for a newcomer to Edmonton’s vibrant art culture, the canvas might appear unconventional. But a deeper connection with the artists elevates self-expression to an entirely new level.
As we entered Churchill Square to experience GroundWorks, the theme of The Works Art & Design Festival in Edmonton—celebrating its 40th anniversary from June 21 to July 1, 2025—we encountered a genre-defying celebration and a strong contender for the future of art. The idea was simple: Live your art!
As we strolled past the sand carvings by Activate Arts Alberta, the sight of artists pouring their heart into every etched detail was awe-inspiring.
We were soon stopped by an artist who promised to stir up a lifetime of memories through her scents on wheels. Creator Kelly Andres explained, “It’s a mobile scent apothecary on a bicycle. I have 70 scents in small wooden jars that build sensorial, tactile encounters exploring interdependence, decay, memory, and ecological entanglement.”
Kelly politely invited us to experience her scent collection—from cinnamon to oranges, pinecones, wool, and fur—asking if any triggered memories. And, oh, they did! Who could escape the evocative tang of orange peels or the earthy freshness of wild pinecones?
Next, we stumbled upon a charming little motel nestled in the heart of Churchill Square, complete with a swimming pool on the front lawn. We quickly took note of its name, assuming it was a replica of an actual location—only to discover that “the motel was meant for the pigeons.” Still, it captured the attention (and perhaps secret hopes) of many visitors, lured by the fantasy of a quaint stay.
Moving past a lively group of volunteers helping kids with crafts—like paper flower making and egg carton insects—we were struck by the joy radiating from the children as they completed their tiny, magical projects. For those planning to attend, we’ve included the June 28 itinerary at the end of this article.
The Belly of the Bull was another standout, a unique story narrated from within the bull’s belly by artist Clinton Minault.
But what truly captured our attention was the green treasure garden by Kerry Ross, Bob Thornton, Carrie Phillips-Kieser, John Abrams, and Bram Van Herwaarden. This immersive installation seamlessly wove together art, ecology, and community in a vibrant celebration of living architecture. Adorned with an extensive green roof and draped in a lush living wall, the piece demonstrated the potential of building-integrated ecosystems.
Artist Patrik Ennis’s paintings were thought-provoking and even intrusive. A brief conversation with him reminded us that, like beauty, art lies in the eye of the beholder. While we couldn’t decipher all of his work, we nonetheless found ourselves drawn into his expressive, brilliant world.
