Art and nature converged in Regina over the weekend to pay tribute to a former iconic natural landmark, the American Elm tree that graced Victoria Park for over a century before being taken down in 2023 due to safety issues. A portion of the tree’s trunk now resides in Les Sherman Park, where residents and city officials gathered to reveal four art pieces inspired by the tree, now permanently displayed in the park.
The city collaborated with the University of Regina and local artists to produce a series of sculptures, including a bronze creation by Julien Hamon-Fafard, a student artist at the university. Hamon-Fafard described his sculpture as a beaver swimming, drawing inspiration from the park’s environment and the significance of the beaver in the ecosystem.
Invited by Prof. Sean Whalley, Hamon-Fafard and three other students participated in the project, which is part of the City of Regina’s 2025 Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre artist in residency program. The initiative aimed to repurpose the historic elm tree trunk into impactful public art.
While Hamon-Fafard’s artwork symbolizes environmental awareness, he emphasized its straightforward message about animal conservation and environmental protection, particularly highlighting the vital role beavers play in shaping water systems. The installation not only celebrates Regina’s urban forest but also underscores the importance of Les Sherman Park as a cultural and communal space for residents to connect with nature and each other.
