Larissa Kitchemonia Selected as Wascana Pool Gate Artist

The City of Regina is pleased to announce that Larissa Kitchemonia, a local Anishnaabe-Saulteaux artist from The Key First Nation, has been selected to design the gate that will greet Regina residents when they visit the renewed Wascana Pool.

Kitchemonia’s concept for the Wascana Pool Gate involves a layered diorama to create a nature scape of Wascana Park and Regina. Components are a nod to the treaty quote, “As long as the sun shines, and the grass grows, and the river flows” as an acknowledgement to the land on which Wascana Park and Regina are located.

Larissa’s art practice primarily focuses on painting and beadwork along with exploring installation and sculpture. Reoccurring topics found within her work are of nature, womanhood and motherhood embedded with traditional First Nation ideology and practices. Her work is rooted in reclaiming traditional identities and exploring Anishnaabe–Saulteaux culture and traditions. She has completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Indigenous Fine Arts from the First Nations University of Canada and she is a Masters of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies candidate at the University of Regina.

The City issued an open Call for Artists for the Wascana Pool gate project in February. An expert panel of art professionals made their selection based on artistic skill, artistic vision, innovation and imagination, contribution to the artistic practice in the genre/discipline and the artist’s explanation of how their artwork aligned with the Call for Artist and Cultural Plan. Through the Call, the artists were asked to represent the history and connection to the land on which the pool will reside, within Wascana Park.

This project supports Regina’s Cultural Plan goals of strengthening the artistic and cultural community while also embracing cultural diversity and strengthening the Indigenous community’s cultural presence in Regina.

Construction of a renewed Wascana Pool facility is currently in progress. Reopening is scheduled for 2023. Visit Regina.ca/wascanapool to learn more.