City of Prince Albert Showcases Community Collaboration Through Public Art and Environmental Education
PRINCE ALBERT, Saskatchewan — The City of Prince Albert has unveiled a new video highlighting the Water Treatment Plant Youth Public Art Project, an initiative that brought together students, educators, artists, municipal staff, and community organizations to promote environmental awareness through public art.
Developed under the City’s Municipal Cultural Action Plan (MCAP), the project combined arts education with environmental learning, giving local youth the opportunity to explore the importance of clean drinking water while contributing to a permanent public artwork for the community.
The collaboration involved the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation (SCIC), École St. Mary High School, staff from the City’s Water Treatment Plant, and artist Cheryl Buckmaster. Together, the partners created a learning experience designed to connect students with the local water system and encourage long-term environmental stewardship.
Youth-Centred Initiative Connects Art With Environmental Education
The project focused on engaging students through a combination of classroom learning, hands-on activities, and creative expression. Participants gained firsthand insight into how drinking water is treated and distributed by touring the Water Treatment Plant before applying their knowledge to the artistic process.
The resulting artwork reflects themes of water conservation, environmental responsibility, and the essential role that clean water plays in the community. Beyond producing a public art installation, the initiative aimed to encourage young people to think critically about sustainable resource management and civic responsibility.
City officials said the project demonstrates how partnerships between municipal departments, educational institutions, and cultural organizations can create meaningful opportunities for youth engagement while strengthening public understanding of important infrastructure.
Public Art Designed to Inspire Community Awareness
According to the City, placing young people at the centre of the creative process helped transform technical knowledge about water treatment into an accessible public conversation about protecting natural resources.
“The project demonstrates the power of bringing together education, art, and civic infrastructure,” said Tia Holash, Arts & Culture Coordinator for the City of Prince Albert. “By placing youth at the center of the creative process, we not only created a meaningful piece of public art, but also fostered a deeper appreciation for one of our community’s most valuable resources. We hope the artwork and accompanying video encourage residents to think about the role we all play in protecting our water.”
The City said the completed installation serves as both a visual landmark and an educational resource, reminding residents of the importance of preserving safe and reliable drinking water supplies for current and future generations.
New Video Documents the Project From Concept to Completion
The newly released video provides a behind-the-scenes look at the project’s development, tracing its progress from the initial planning stages through to the completion of the artwork.
The documentary-style presentation features footage from the Water Treatment Plant tour, classroom workshops, collaborative art sessions, and the final installation. Interviews with students, educators, project partners, and municipal staff offer insight into how the initiative evolved and the educational value it delivered throughout the process.
City officials said the video illustrates how experiential learning can deepen understanding of environmental issues while encouraging creativity and community participation.
By combining practical knowledge with artistic expression, the project demonstrates how public art can serve as a platform for education and civic engagement beyond traditional classroom settings.
Protecting the North Saskatchewan River Remains a Shared Responsibility
The City of Prince Albert is encouraging residents to watch the video and reflect on the importance of safeguarding the North Saskatchewan River, which supplies the community’s drinking water.
Officials say maintaining clean water depends not only on municipal infrastructure but also on public awareness and responsible environmental practices. The project reinforces the idea that protecting water resources requires ongoing cooperation between governments, educators, organizations, and residents.
Community members interested in viewing the completed artwork can do so by booking a guided tour of the Water Treatment Plant, where the installation is on display.
Through the combination of education, public art, and environmental outreach, the Water Treatment Plant Youth Public Art Project highlights how collaborative initiatives can strengthen community connections while promoting greater appreciation for one of Prince Albert’s most essential natural resources.