“The Winners Circle” by Carole Danyluk

"The Winners Circle" (Detail)

“The Winners Circle” (detail)

The John and May Lockhart family commissioned this relief panel for the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Having had a long and supportive relationship with the hospital, they had the panel sculpted by Carole Danyluk to commemorate their son Doug, who ultimately lost his brave fight with cancer.  Doug , a courageous kid who knew what was worth fighting for, was influential in the setting of standards when it comes to the care of children with the dreaded disease.  Hours for treatment were extended to include evenings and weekends so that kids could live more normal lives.  With Doug’s vision, and May’s and John’s  generosity , a lounge for older kids was established at the Children’s Hospital. This relief sculpture , as well as other inspirational artwort, was provided to make this lounge an inspiring place.  “The Winners Circle” depicts Doug in the centre, with his cousins, involved in one of the board games he was so skilled at.  It is an edition of four, of which one hangs in the Foothills Composite High School (where Carole used to teach), one hangs in the Resource Centre of the Burnaby College in Vancouver, and one is in the private collection of the patron.  The piece is 36 inches wide and mounted on an oak base.

Maquettes for Hospital Life-size Sculptures.

"Discover" by Rick Taylor

These four sculptures are the maquettes for the four life-size sculptures found in the central lobby of the Alberta Children’s Hospital.  They are cast bronze, mounted on walnut wood.  They are available only through the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Inquire.

"Play" by Rick Taylor

"Sing" by Carole Danyluk

"Fly" by Carole Danyluk

Alberta Children’s Hospital Receives Life-size Wildlife Sculptures by Carole Danyluk and Rick Taylor from the Robert G. Brawn family.

The new Alberta Children’s Hospital opened in Calgary, Alberta in September of 2006.  It has since become a cutting edge research and care facility which serves the needs of children throughout the provence and beyond.   The many artworks found inside the facility were considered to be important from the hospital’s inception and were carefully planned.  The four life-size  sculptures at the Alberta Children’s Hospital by Carole Danyluk and Rick Taylor depict wildlife “family ” themes. They are,  “Play” (bison calves) located in the east of the building or the “Admissions Area ” of the Hospital, “Fly” (bald eagles, located at the entrance to the south wing),  “Discover”  (sow grizzly with two cubs and a rabbit) at the west wing entrance and “Sing” (coyote and three pups) marks the north wing.  The sculptures are of a soft and gentle nature and help to create feelings of comfort and safely for visitors while in a challenging and sometimes emotional environment.  This gift was made possible to the Alberta Children’s Hospital by the generosity and committment of of the Robert G. Brawn family who saw the role of the environment in the healing process.

The group of sculptures loosely follow aboriginal thought regarding the four cardinal points of the compass and how they relate to human beings.  Starting in the east, the position of the rising sun and the direction of new beginnings we have the most important animal in aborigal lore, the bison.  Followed by the south, the direction of high noon and maturity.  South is symbolised by the eagle.  After maturity comes the direction of rest and recovery symbolized by the west.  West is the direction of the setting sun, slowing down and hibernation as is exhibited by by the grizzly bear.  And, finally the north, the direction of the supernatural, of miracles and of enlightenment.  The energy of the north is embodied in the spirit of the canine or “coyote”.  Individually, these four life-size monuments greet the patients and families as they enter the north, south, east and west wings of the hospital.  Collectively they represent growth.

The Robert G. Brawn Family, Benefactors. Carole, fourth from right.

“Play” (Bison calves) in the hospital admissions area by Rick Taylor

Hospital Eatery with "Discover" on west wall.

"Fly" (Bald Eagle) by Carole Danyluk

"Sing" (Coyotes) by Carole Danyluk

"Sing" (Coyotes) mark the North Wing in the central lobby.

Alberta Children’s Hospital “Way-Finding” plaques, by Carole Danyluk and Rick Taylor

In order for visitors to the Alberta Children’s Hospital to easily navigate the halls of the facility this series of four  “way finding” plaques were called into service.  The animal motifs, bison, eagle, bear and coyote are a continuation of the theme embodied by the sculptures in the central lobby of the hospital. This theme, loosly borrowed from aboriginal lore, assigns an animal totem to each of the cardinal points.  The north is represented by the  coyote, the east by the bison, the south by the eagle and the west by the grizzly bear.  One need only follow the appropriate animal totem, affixed to the wall, to find ones way amoung the wings of the facility.

"Eagle Way-Finder" by Carole Danyluk

"Buffalo Way-Finder" by Rick Taylor

"Coyote Way-Finder" by Carole Danyluk