The Chestermere Historical Foundation received $42,643 in provincial funding on February 13, 2026, to finish a local art and history project in Chestermere, Alberta. This grant will help complete the Word of Mouth installation, which includes interactive sculptures and a time capsule for the community.
The project is being built at Retention Park and features interactive aluminum horns along with historical bricks from the original town hall. It also includes replicas of brass plaques that mark the years when the community was first known as the Summer Village of Chestermere Lake and later as a town.
Residents are invited to participate by submitting written reflections and hopes for the future to be placed in a time capsule. This capsule will be part of the display and is meant to stay sealed for 50 years before being opened.
According to MLA Chantelle de Jonge, the money was provided through the Community Initiatives Program. The display was designed by artist Illarion Gallant, who has previously created other public art pieces for the city.
The foundation has been working on this project since 2018 to help preserve local history as the community grows. While the concrete foundation for the art is already in place, the final installation is expected to happen in the spring of 2026.
