Henderson Connections – Asphalt Art Pilot
The City of Lethbridge Public Art Program is working with an artist who will paint a series of asphalt murals on park pathways, with the goal of promoting awareness, connection and movement of people between various amenities in and around Henderson Park. This pilot project also involves elements of skill sharing and community participation and will help inform future ground mural projects in our community.
The selected artist will paint a series of temporary works of public art on paved paths and gathering areas used primarily by pedestrians and cyclists. The proposed designs are intended to encourage exploration and movement around the emerging “Henderson District”, celebrating the park and the many surrounding amenities. Through the eye of the artist, these temporary installations reflect the spirit and history of the site, capture the imagination of a diverse range of audiences, and offer opportunities to connect with others around the park.
ARTIST SELECTION:
An open call to artists was advertised from June through July 2025 and attracted 12 applications from artists across Canada. After a careful deliberation process, the selection committee unanimously chose local artist and storyteller Eric Dyck for the project.
Eric is a cartoonist, illustrator and art educator in Lethbridge, Alberta. Over the past 20 years, his professional and independent art-making has focused on interactions with the public and illustrated depictions of the community, including a popular series of pop-up tempera and chalk murals previously installed at events in Rotary Square and Henderson Lake Park. His art practice demonstrates a long-term commitment to sharing a sense of place and community experienced while living and working in Lethbridge. Though the artist has a long history of creating art in public space, this project represents his first time working with the Lethbridge Public Art Program. Eric’s experience as an illustrator and educator, his keen interest in Henderson Lake Park, and his passion for creating moments of shared connection among artists and community members all align with the goals of this pilot project.
We look forward to sharing more updates as the project progresses.
UPDATE 1 – SEPTEMBER 29, 2025:
The first Henderson Connections ground mural will be installed in early October, on a stretch of asphalt pathway along the south side of the lake adjacent to the Henderson Lake Golf Course.
While access to the path will be partially affected, we strongly encourage park-goers to continue to use the space (at a reduced speed), view the artwork in progress, and chat with the artist. Only half of the width of the path will be closed while painting is in progress, and will remain cordoned off for a period of time afterwards to allow the artwork to dry sufficiently. Notices and detours will be provided by Parks for users who may require or prefer access to uninterrupted pathways.
UPDATE 2 – OCTOBER 21, 2025:
The first ground mural is underway! Thank you to all the park goers and golf course users who have stopped to talk to local artist Eric Dyck as he continues work on the pathway adjacent to Henderson Lake Golf Club, along the south side of the lake. A friendly reminder to please use caution on this section of narrow pathway during the installation period.
A message from the artist:
“The weather forecast looks promising for more painting this week! As many of you have come to visit in person, a lot of you already know about the Henderson Lake Asphalt Art project! I will be painting a series of murals at Henderson Lake, aka Slaughterhouse Slough, over the next year. The first, and most fantastical, is in progress on the south side of the lake. Due to weather and asphalt temperatures, it can be hard to predict when I’m on-site, but hey, the walk will still be good for you!”
UPDATE 3 – November 21, 2025:
The first ground mural is now complete! Thank you to all the park goers and golf course users who stopped to talk to local artist Eric Dyck as worked on the pathway adjacent to Henderson Lake Golf Club, along the south side of the lake.
A message from the artist:
The hard work on the south side of Henderson Lake has come to an end despite the challenges of unpredictable weather, discourteous goose bowels, and wayward golf balls. The last week of painting the Slough Serpent mural was a lot of fun as folks who visited every day were finally seeing the whole image in all of its fanciful and ridiculous glory! There were a lot of questions about lore, vigorous discussions of the plausibility of a Lethbridge cryptid, and confusion over the prairie pronunciation of the word slough as “sloo”. Head on down to see all 30 metres of Lethbridge’s very own Slough Serpent!
Slough Serpent and Critter Buddies
The Slough Serpent is a fantastical character Eric has been drawing for 10 years and now stars in the first of several ground murals to be installed along pathways around Henderson Lake. At just about 100 ft long, the artwork features the creature flowing through slough weeds and is accompanied at either end by actual aquatic species living in Henderson Lake.
