About the Artist

Kristie Edwardsen, born in Edmonton in 1981, is a teacher, artist, and mother to four children. Kristie began her studies in the Fine Arts program at Grant MacEwan College, quickly realizing her passion for connection through the process of art. This led her to an undergraduate education program at the University of Alberta where she graduated with a Bachelor of Education Degree in 2010. This coming fall, Kristie will be going back to the University of Alberta to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree which she initially began almost 20 years ago. 

Kristie specializes in finding projects and initiatives that create intrinsic motivation and connection using mediums such as sculpture, installation, painting, and drawing. She has organized various initiatives that involve collaboration, connection, and finding ways to help others in and around Edmonton. She has exhibited her work at the Festival of Trees, Kaliedo festival, Edmonton Arts Council, and throughout her local community. 

• Instagram: @Handheld.Hearts (Collaborative account operated by Kristie and her daughter Jilliane)

Artist Statement

Kindness & Connection: Thinking outside of the box 

The term “Thinking outside of the box” comes from the thought that as we grow older, we lose colour and creativity inside ourselves. Mainstream cultural and societal norms act as the walls of our box that trap our sense of wonder, uniqueness, and cause uncertainty. These walls hinder our ability to expand our minds and ask those why’s and how’s. They divide us from each other and create barriers. 

In order to grow and come together we have to collectively step outside of our box, embrace our differences, and nurture the why’s and the how’s. We must bring into our being something that was not there before. We do this by showing each other the ways we can actively engage in kindness and reflecting on others who do the same. 

This 8’ x 8’ mixed media collaborative installation combines collaged black and white images and text created by local students. Their artwork demonstrates the possible ways we, as a community, can be kinder to people and the world around us. This absence of colour allows for each drawing or word to be viewed individually, but also as a whole. Additionally, the rainbow of colour that joins the two panels represents one unified symbol that demonstrates community and equality. The chalkboard panels will change daily as the public are invited to add their own artwork that demonstrates kindness and connection using the provided chalk and their imagination. 

List of Schools Involved

• Archbishop Macdonald High School  

• St. Rose Junior High School  

• St. Paul Elementary School 

• Centre for Literacy 

• Aleda Patterson Elementary School 

Festival Photos

Behind the Scenes