The bird sculptures have officially landed in Kitimat. Art and, bird lovers, are encouraged to go out and find them. Best of all, no binoculars are required.
The sculptures can be spotted at the courtyard between City Centre Mall and the Kitimat Museum & Archives.
Commissioned by the Kitimat Public Art Alliance and supported by grant funding from the District of Kitimat, the installations have already received positive feedback. Daryn Dasilva wrote on the district’s Facebook page: "My son loves the birds!" Anne Rose also shared her excitement, saying, "They look amazing, my toddler had to pet them all on our way by."
The project began when local artist Steve Rogers was tasked with designing and installing five raven sculptures made from steel bars. These sculptures, now complete, are positioned around town as a tribute to the area's wildlife and serve as a new attraction for tourists.
“We believe this will become a tourist attraction and photo opportunity, similar to the wolves in Terrace by the same artist,” the Kitimat Public Art Alliance previously stated. “It will benefit businesses in the downtown core as well as our reputation as a community.”
Rogers, known for his use of steel bars to create intricate designs, described his concept as using negative space “to create a series of sculpture installations that celebrate wildlife local to the surrounding area,” and give the impression of "a sketch on the horizon."
The sculptures are designed to withstand all weather conditions and require minimal maintenance, with inspections only necessary every 10 years. Funding for the project was part of a $35,000 grant provided to the Kitimat Public Art Alliance for 2024, with $10,000 designated for functional art.