The Welcome Project

Lead Artist: Agnieszka Matejko
Photography: John Freeman

Newcomers to Alberta often speak about being impressed, even overwhelmed by the vast Alberta sky. It is in many ways what defines Western Canada, not just physically but symbolically. For immigrants like Agnieszka Matejko who came from repressive countries, Alberta has offered political freedom and vast possibilities. The sky is the limit.

The Welcome mural includes stories and comments by immigrants and community members, area schools and MacEwan staff and students. They represent a broad range of experiences and ethnic backgrounds. Some of these poignant, sad or funny stories were submitted by youth who have only been in Canada for only a few weeks, others are from community members who have lived in Canada for generations.

The aim of this project is to welcome all to the Ormsby Community Centre.
This project was created with the support and assistance of the Ormsby Community Centre Advisory Group, the City of Edmonton Community Builder, the 3R’s Community and Family Resiliency Builder (Alta Care Resources and West Edmonton Parent Link), MLA David Xiao, the Willowby Community League, the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association and John and Mark Freeman from the Big Pixel Ltd.

We gratefully acknowledge submissions of stories and comments from the following organizations and individuals: