Artists wanted for Regina’s oldest tree commemoration project

If a tree falls in the city, does it… become art?

Regina’s then-oldest tree stood for 123 years before was removed from Victoria Park a year ago for safety reasons. But the story of the proud American elm that towered over the park for more than a century isn’t coming to an end just yet.

The City of Regina is seeking an artist to transform the tree’s trunk into an art project. The 2025 Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre’s resident artist will be tasked with creating a project that commemorates the tree’s rich history and brings awareness to Queen City’s urban forest while mentoring an emerging artist along the way.

“Regina’s oldest tree, an American Elm, has stood witness to over a century of the city’s history,” the City of Regina explained in a statement.

The elm was standing when Regina was established in 1882, the city explained and survived the Regina Cyclone in 1912.

“The project aims to reflect the city’s cultural diversity and support the professional development of local artists. This project also represents a promise kept by the City to ensure the preservation of the tree as a critical part of Regina’s history.”

The city said artists with connections to Regina and Treaty Four territory will be given preference, and artists who are up for the challenge can take an up-close look at the tree’s trunk in September before committing to the work.

The deadline for proposals is early in October, and the city said it hopes the art project can be unveiled by April 30, 2025.

Full details of the call for artists can be found on the city’s website.