FATHER GOOSE
If Barbara Walters assigns you a nickname (Father Goose), it’s safe to say that you’re a “somebody”. William Lishman is a world-renowned artist and conservationist. His works include a best selling autobiography, several award-winning films, and his stunning public art.
He is a pioneer in ultralight aviation and the first human to lead birds in formation. He also initiated the use of ultralight aircraft in establishing new migration routes for precocial birds. His work has been documented on ABC’s 20/20 and CBC’s the Nature of Things. The two hit feature films, Fly Away Home and The Winged Migration, were inspired by his work.
Lishman has received numerous awards including the Odyssey of the Mind’s prestigious Creativity
Award, The Canadian Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal and the US National Wildlife Federation Conservation award. He is co-founder and chair emeritus of Operation Migration,
the organization that plays the key role in establishing an easterly flock of endangered Whooping Cranes in North America.
Lishman’s current passion is Air First Aid, with his unique plan to use a world wide network of ultralight aviators, using purposely designed aircraft as eyes-in-the-sky for conservation issues, while training as a first response airlift for victims of natural disasters.
williamlishman.com
VERNE BUSBY AND BELLA TOTINO-BUSBY
Verne Busby and Bella Totino-Busby are artists/designers who work together in St. Albert, Alberta.
In recent years they have collaborated on several public art projects including large scale works in steel sculpture and glass mosaic.
The sculptural artwork “trio” celebrates the best of life and community. The new streetscape ‘plaza’ calls to the citizens to gather and these sculptural forms symbolize the joy and colour in the creation
of music. Situated in the centre of the everyday lives and activities of
the people residing and working in the Jasper Place neighbourhood of Edmonton, the ‘trio’ of musicians exemplifies the joyful celebration of life. It is 15 feet high by 6 feet wide.
totino.com
WIL YEE
Born and Raised in Alberta, Canada, Wil Yee has been creating striking illustrations for more than 20 years. His repertoire is lengthy and diverse, consisting of children’s books, corporate and military illustrations, commissioned paintings, murals, tattoos and public art. The intense colour and whimsical flavour of his work has been influenced by the likes of MAD Magazine, Dr. Seuss and Leonardo DaVinci.
He has taken his life experience (and his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree), and applied it to yet another unusual canvas….the ugly green utility box! Check out his remarkable work created for the Calgary Utility Box Public Art Program.
wilyee.com