Wonderland Sculpture
Calgary, AB
Located in downtown Calgary in front of The Bow building, the Wonderland Sculpture is a 39-foot (12-meter) tall sculpture in the shape of a young girl’s head. Created by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa out of painted stainless steel, the striking statue is meant to represent the hopes and dreams of the youth of the province.
The basics
It’s easy to visit the Wonderland Sculpture on your own. Be sure to walk around the entire sculpture to take in the different vantage points, and to go inside it for a unique perspective; despite its large size, the piece is remarkably light and airy. You can also see it on a number of Calgary sightseeing tours, including guided walking and scooter tours of city highlights or the downtown area, self-guided audio tours, and scavenger hunts.
Things to know before you go
- There’s no fee to access the Wonderland Sculpture.
- Enter the statue through doors on either side of the neck at the base.
- Do not attempt to climb the sculpture.
How to get there
The Wonderland Sculpture is located on 6th Avenue, on the south side of The Bow building—an easy walk from many areas of downtown Calgary and the Bow River. Public transit options include the 201 and 202 light rail, and the 1, 4, 9, 70, 101, 117, 131, 301, and 307 buses.
When to get there
This outdoor art piece can be visited 24 hours a day. You only need a few minutes to see it, though it’s worth taking the time to go inside the sculpture. It’s also worth visiting during the day and again at night, when it’s lit up.
Alberta’s Dream
The Wonderland Sculpture is not the only work of art by artist Jaume Plensa in Calgary, or even downtown. On the other (north) side of The Bow building is Alberta’s Dream, a bronze self-portrait sculpture of the artist sitting on the ground, with his back to the building, hugging a real tree. Across the body of the figure are the names of different cities in Alberta, with Edmonton across the chest and Calgary on the back.
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