The Crescent Heights Community Association (CHCA) embarked on a mural project last year to rehabilitate a local eyesore—an unloved retaining wall on Centre Street on the hike up from downtown Calgary. The wall is immediately north of the the iconic centre street bridge and its emblematic lion statues.
The artist trio of Sydonne Warren, Tyler Lemermeyer, and Cory Bugden, were selected by a community jury. The mural was conceived to honour the people, places and history of Crescent Heights. Part of their proposal was to include a portrait of Everett Klippert, whose story they had researched. They were particularly impressed by his role in the human rights struggle of the LGBTQ2 community in Canada.
The Klippert family lived in Crescent Heights from 1934-1942 and they worshipped at Crescent Heights Baptist Church. The artists contacted the Klippert family and received consent to memorialize Everett in this way.
Sandra Neill, the CHCA’s Engagement Director wrote: “You will see our beloved lion who overlooks the City from Rotary Park, and the portrait is of Everett Klippert who lived in Crescent Heights as a teenager. The lion is symbolic of Everett’s bravery who was a catalyst for change towards the decriminalization of homosexual acts between consenting adults. The Rollerblades [on another panel] represent the different ways of travelling up and down the hill. The pants in rainbow represent fashion and an inclusive element to the LGBTQ2S+ community.”
In September 2020, with the help of many volunteers, the artists made the mural manifest and named it #yycmagicwalk. Everett passed away in 1996; perhaps he would be tickled to know that he has moved back to Crescent Heights—just a few hundred metres from his childhood home.
{On a personal note, I graduated from Crescent Heights High School in 1988; the community has a soft spot in my heart. I’m delighted the mural is there! – Kevin}
{KA}
Calgary Gay History 