Calgary’s first public art project was by students from the Art Department of the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art (PITA, as SAIT was known at the time). Their murals can still be seen and admired on the walls of Heritage Hall today. The ambitious program was created by the head of the department, Illingworth “Buck” Kerr, in 1949 and included works by nearly a dozen students including Gertrude Hudson, Ron (Gyo-Zo) Spickett, Roy Kiyooka and Ted Godwin. Discover the vital role PITA’s Art Department played in developing the arts in Calgary, and hear how Heritage Hall became a canvas, a gallery and a platform for many artists in the early days of their careers. 

Listen as art historian Lisa Christensen sets the Heritage Hall murals in historical context, and as renowned Canadian sculptor Katie Ohe (Art ‘58) shares memories of the lifelong impact studying at PITA has had on her art. 

Writing, production, sound design, vocals and composition by Ron Tarrant.
Research and writing by Astrid Gagnier, Alyssa Athanasopoulos and Kris Ferguson.