RED DEER POLYTECHNIC
RDP celebrates allyship with Pride community through new mural

On August 16, the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) community gathered to celebrate the spirit of inclusion and Pride with a new art installation on main campus.

(Left to right): Devyn Shannon (President, Students' Association of Red Deer Polytechnic), Azriel Handa (RDP student and Pride on Campus Student Society representative), Kat Simmers (Muralist and RDP Visual Art alum), Stuart Cullum (President, Red Deer Polytechnic) and Lenny Gallant (President, Central Alberta Pride Society)

The colourful mural titled Kaleidoscope, designed and painted by RDP Visual Art alum Kat Simmers, adorns the exterior of the Students' Association of Red Deer Polytechnic (SARDP) building space near the institution's main entrance.

"This mural affirms SARDP's commitment to supporting all students in an environment where they feel welcome and can succeed," says Devyn Shannon, President, Students' Association of Red Deer Polytechnic. "Pride is a core intersectional component that supports equity and relates to the importance of respecting others regardless of their sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, gender and race."

The artwork is a joint initiative between the Students' Association of RDP, Pride on Campus Student Group and Red Deer Polytechnic.

"Red Deer Polytechnic aims to be a welcoming and safe community for all students and employees, and this new artwork conveys that message of belonging," says Stuart Cullum, President, Red Deer Polytechnic. "We are proud to support this student-led initiative and commend RDP alum, Kat Simmers, who has brought to life this symbol of solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community."

Since graduating from RDP, Simmers has created community connections through exhibitions and public installations around the world, including Alberta, the United States, Egypt and France. The robust academic opportunities Simmers received as a Red Deer Polytechnic Visual Art student helped with the creation of Kaleidoscope.

"I am proud to return to campus where my passion for painting began. This work represents a full-circle moment as I come back to RDP with a full chroma colour palette that reflects the series of colourful portraits I completed as a student here," says Simmers. "With a kaleidoscopic colour palette, this installation celebrates the creativity and innovation found at RDP, as well as the profound resilience and diversity in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community."

In 2022, Simmers painted the mural Spark that is prominently displayed on an exterior wall of the Welikoklad Event Centre located downtown Red Deer. That mural celebrates the Polytechnic's rich history, referencing both the imagery and spark of inspiration Simmers found at RDP.

The on-campus celebration of Kaleidoscope coincides with Central Alberta Pride Week, occurring from August 11 to 17.

More information about RDP's Creative Arts programming, including the Visual Art Diploma, is available at: rdpolytech.ca/creativearts.