A new piece of public art celebrating Wetaskiwin’s agricultural heritage is coming to the 50 Avenue and 47 Street roundabout. Local artists Ken and Petra Mastel have been commissioned to create Bountiful, a sculpture that will stand about 13 feet tall and 8 feet wide, with installation expected in October 2026.
Wetaskiwin City Council approved up to $50,000 from the Public Art Reserve for the project, according to the City of Wetaskiwin. The sculpture will feature three golden wheat heads protected by six satin-finished stainless steel leaves. Integrated LED lighting will shift from green to gold after dark, evoking the ripening of crops at harvest time.
The artwork is part of the City’s Public Art Program, which identified the roundabout as a priority gateway location to enhance community identity and provide a lasting cultural asset. The Mastels will work with five local businesses to fabricate and construct the sculpture.
Ken Mastel is well known in Wetaskiwin for his community involvement, including helping found the Manluk Theatre and his induction into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame in 2025 for his volleyball career and decades of coaching.
Bountiful reflects Wetaskiwin’s deep roots in wheat farming and ranching, which helped the city grow after the Calgary and Edmonton Railway arrived in the early 1890s. The new installation will welcome residents and visitors at a prominent entrance to the community.
