COLD LAKE - The City of Cold Lake has approved a grant to support a cultural event honouring world-renowned Indigenous artist Alex Janvier.
At the Jan. 14 regular council meeting, a motion was passed to provide $22,100 to the Janvier Gallery to cover facility fees for the Alex Janvier Memorial Event, which is set to take place at the Cold Lake Energy Centre from April 24 to May 5.
The funds will come from Council Goodwill.
“The City of Cold Lake has been working with the Janvier Gallery on a project that the gallery and the family has put together . . . It’s a film commemorating the late Alex Janvier’s life as he grew up and became an artist,” said CAO Kevin Nagoya explaining the significance of the event.
The centerpiece of the event will be a projection dome to showcase a 3D film celebrating Janvier’s life and accomplishments. Nagoya described the immersive experience, stating, “It’s a very emotional video and very well put together. It is going to be in kind of a dome, so it’s going to be kind of that three-dimensional look, and it is anticipated that this will be a national tour, drawing a lot of attention.”
The Janvier Gallery selected the Cold Lake Energy Centre’s Imperial Oil Place Arena because of its size and the ability to accommodate the dome’s requirements.
“One of the challenges in putting a big event like this is location,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “The family looked at all their options and felt that the Energy Centre provided the biggest space and the openness, keeping people out of the elements and the weather.”
The event will run for 10 days, with the venue reserved for 12 days to accommodate setup and takedown.
The event is expected to attract local and international visitors, with an opening ceremony featuring dignitaries and other special functions being considered, such as receptions, speeches by dignitaries, artist showcases, or other complementary activities designed to celebrate and support the main event.
Coun. Vicky Lefebvre raised questions about cost-sharing and the involvement of Cold Lake First Nations, given the project’s significance to the community.
“The City of Cold Lake was just working within the scope of what we have influence on,” said Nagoya, adding, the gallery organizers and the family are exploring sponsorship opportunities to support the initiative.
Council expressed optimism about the event’s potential impact.
“They’ve been amazing to work with on this one, and I think it’s going to bring a lot of people to Cold Lake once it starts getting advertised,” said Copeland.
