By Meghan Power
My art practice is rooted in storytelling, community, and cultural connection, often weaving together themes from memory, the land, and both traditional and contemporary Indigenous identity.” Additionally, Phoebe often explores childhood whimsy, community care, and a deep connection to the natural world through their work—blending cultural stories and nostalgia into playful, heartfelt illustrations that can celebrate and bring joy to the inner child.
Phoebe was selected to be one of seven artists to create original artwork that wraps around Calgary city buses. The project, Art Bus: Connecting Communities with Public Art initiative, was funded by Calgary Arts Development (CADA). “These moving artworks are seen across Calgary for 12 weeks, helping bring public art directly into people’s everyday routines—which I love,” says Phoebe. “For many years, I relied on public transit as my main way of getting around, and I know how important those spaces are. I was especially excited by the idea of turning that shared space into a kind of traveling gallery.”
Phoebe’s design was created in response to the theme “Honouring Indigenous Stories and Perspectives,” which is something she is deeply passionate about. “For this project in particular, I reflected on a drum-making workshop I attended at AUArts hosted by the Lodgepole Centre. That experience was incredibly special and full of teachings that stayed with me.”
In their design, she illustrated Indigenous people gathered in a park setting, making drums, sharing bannock, smudging, and sitting in a circle—all under the backdrop of the Calgary skyline and the Rocky Mountains. “One side of the bus shows the animal spirits we honour in drum-making—deer, elk, moose, and buffalo. The other side shows the creation of the drums, celebrating the connection between spirit, land, and community. “It’s a love letter to the knowledge-sharing I’ve experienced in my own life and the beauty of Indigenous traditions being carried on today even in the city.”
For Phoebe, as a working artist, she feels opportunities like this are incredibly impactful personally and professionally. “I work full time as a freelance illustrator and artist, and I’m still in the early stages of my professional career. Having access to funding like this has helped me grow in confidence, visibility, and financial stability. It’s been such a big stepping stone, not just in helping me build my portfolio and share my voice more broadly, but in validating that I belong in this space—that there’s room for Indigenous, emerging voices in public art.”
Phoebe is also someone who is neurodivergent and living with chronic illness, and so projects like this make a huge difference. Not only does it allow them to continue doing the work she loves in a sustainable way, it also allows them to take care of their health. “Freelancing can be uncertain, and support from organizations like CADA helps artists like me stay rooted in our work—to trust that it matters, and that people are listening.”
“This project also gave me a platform to share Indigenous perspectives in a public space. I want my work to be welcoming and to spark curiosity—whether it’s through a picture book, an illustration, or a mural. The Art Bus gave me the chance to share Indigenous stories in an accessible and joyful way, right in the heart of the city. I love that the artwork lives on something that moves—that it’s not tucked away in a gallery, but out in the world, where people of all backgrounds can encounter it during their day. Being able to contribute to that, and to do it in a way that honours my heritage and my city, has been a huge honour.”
“I hope we continue to see more opportunities like this — ones that empower artists, celebrate culture, and make art a living part of the places we call home.”