WebStamp August 12, 2020

Giving Wings to the Dream

For the past 25 years one of Calgary’s iconic landmarks, Giving Wings to the Dream, has been an inspirational symbol of hope to those living with the adversity of poverty and the challenges of trauma. It adorns the old Hotel purchased by the Calgary Urban Projects Society (CUPS) on 1st St. SW between 6th and 7th Ave. It was developed as a place where people experiencing homelessness could accomplish positive outcomes and create social change.  

Giving Wings to the Dream

The artist, Doug Driediger, created the public art as a representation of CUPS’s function as a non-profit society that reaches out to Calgarians helping turn the lives around of those whose lives are in chaos. Instead of a mural depicting the drama and shock to waken Calgarians to the urban poor crisis, he opted out to create something more positive and uplifting. The inspiration of hope and optimism towards a better future, something we should all be striving for together.

Doug feels that it’s meaning has become enlarged for many folks beyond the original scope of dealing with the homelessness issue. It is a signal that we are a city that tries, strives, and aims higher to make a difference by helping the less unfortunate to get back on their feet. It is one of Calgary’s first large scale murals that was given to the community by CUPS as a reward for all the local support.

The iconic mural of multi-coloured arms and hands releasing a dove of peace into a bright blue Alberta sky is a world-renowned symbol of Calgary. Giving Wings to the Dream is so popular that it is highlighted as a destination to see and photograph in Calgary online by international travellers. This is definitely a Calgary Public Art Mural done by a local artist that is a must-see.  Hopefully, it will continue to be an inspiration of hope for a better future for all. It almost became a casualty of Calgary’s Vanishing Public Art but was saved from being painted over through public demand. Enjoy the experience Giving Wings to the Dream while you can.

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WebStamp August 12, 2020

According to the Collins Dictionary, the definition of the popular phrase 'money is the root of all evil' means that greed is the cause of a particular problem or the cause of society's problems in general. It is not the money, but the love of money that many will cheat, lie and manipulate to acquire it.
There are many unique inspiring iconic landmarks in the City of Calgary, including some inspirational murals that reflect the spirit of Calgary. However, recently there has been a push to replace some of these iconic landmark murals.
For the past 25 years one of Calgary’s iconic landmarks, Giving Wings to the Dream, has been an inspirational symbol of hope to those living with the adversity of poverty and the challenges of trauma.
Marinus (René) Verschuren
Marinus (René) Verschuren
Founder of WebStamp
René has been involved in the publishing and printing industry since the 1970s. He has published and distributed a successful 24-page weekly news advertiser with a circulation of 4400 copies. Also for the last 20 years, he has been a printer, plotter, scanner and 3D printer technician and installer. Since High School, he also has worked as a janitor, cabinet maker, building construction, landscaper/designer, computer operator producing microfiche, graphic artist, and webmaster, among many other professions. This qualifies him as a Jack-of-All-Trades with plenty of knowledge in many subjects.

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