Sole Scholars

Celebrate the Back to School season from August 18th to September 3rd with a bit of extra sole! Join us for this larger-than-life celebration of the sneaker.

Find the Sole Scholars display near Urban Planet.

Enter to Win
Win a pair of artist-customized kicks in your size; 4 tickets to a Calgary Surge game, and a $100 CrossIron Mills gift card; and plenty of other sneaker-themed prizes!
Here’s how:
1. Follow @crossiron_mills on Instagram
2. FIll out a contest entry ballot
3. Place your ballot in the box of the artist you want to customize a pair of kicks for you!
4. Winners will be selected by September 8 2023 and notified by Instagram direct message, or by phone.
For an extra entry, take a picture with our display and tag us on Instagram: @crossiron_mills

Larger than Life Sneaker Painting
Aug. 18 – 21
Watch a local artist transform a larger than life sneaker into a work of art!

The History of Sneakers Presentation
Aug. 27 & Sept. 3
12pm | 1pm | 2pm
Experience the Evolution of sneakers with an exclusive presentation by the experts at YYC SOLEdiers. Learn about the iconic moments, trends, and innovations that shaped the sneaker culture we know today. A special Thank You to STATUS for their help with the call out and selection process.

Sneaker Painting
Aug. 26 & Sept. 2 | 11am-3pm
Discover the perfect fusion of art and style as local artists showcase their talent through live painting sneakers into one-of-a-kind customized kicks.

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About Our Collaborators

SET ARTIST
Sumin Choi
suminchoi.com | @itsminpling
With a solid foundation in design and diverse mural projects, Sumin’s vibrant illustrations reflect her personality, aiming to inspire love and make a positive impact on the community. Her art carries messages of kindness, joy, and connection, forging a deep bond between the art and its viewers.
With a solid foundation in design and diverse mural projects, Sumin’s vibrant illustrations reflect her personality, aiming to inspire love and make a positive impact on the community. Her art carries messages of kindness, joy, and connection, forging a deep bond between the art and its viewers. Sumin envisions a future where her creations add positive changes and joy to the communities.

LOGO AND GROUND DECAL
Ryan Coulson
ryancoulson.ca | @coulson
Ryan Coulson is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative producer, based in Calgary, Alberta. After graduating with a double major in drawing and jewelry design / fabrication from the Alberta College of Art + Design, his personal practice focuses on illustration, design, marketing, and brand development.

LARGER THAN LIFE SNEAKER
Vanja Kragulj
www.vanjakragulj.com | @vanjakraguljillustration
Vanja Kragulj is a Canadian illustrator, surface designer, and art educator, who’s known for her colourful and whimsical style. Her portfolio includes everything from children’s books and toys to public art and commercial illustration.
She’s worked with many wonderful clients including: Hallmark UK, UK Greetings, Workman Publishing, Galison Mudpuppy, Scholastic, Quarto Publishing, AUZOU, Fleurus Éditions, IMAGE Group Holland, Bravery Magazine, Highlights For Children and OWL Kids.
When she’s not illustrating, Vanja teaches illustration workshops to children and adults at her studio. Her workshops are often inspired by children’s books, illustration, and graphic design.
She lives with her son Jun, husband Kenji and their miniature husky, Hero in Calgary, Canada. If she’s not at her studio or working on an illustration project, you will likely find her at a local bookstore or library browsing the children’s book section.

CONTEST SNEAKER
Maddie Cook
maddiecustoms.com | @maddiecustoms
Maddie Cook is an emerging artist from Calgary, Alberta, with a passion for painting. She knew in high school that she wanted her career to have an artistic focus and pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree majoring in Visual Studies from the University of Calgary. She started Maddie
Customs in April 2020, a small business where she paints custom artwork on sneakers. She has cultivated and built her business through a following on Instagram and continues to explore the concept of wearable art. Maddie loves providing unique and creative designs that are personalized for her customers.

Tiffany Cuffley
Tiffany Lynn Cuffley is a multidisciplinary artist based in Mohkinstsis / Calgary with a background in Performance Arts. Tiffany studied at Mount Royal University and Company Of
Rogues in performing arts and is a former professional figure skater with Disney On Ice. She draws inspiration from exploring design, pattern and the geometry of movement.

Her work has been a part of group shows, solo exhibitions as well as restaurant, retail and corporate murals/installations
including Sammie Cafe, Corner Block Bridgeland, Renegade Gym, Una Pizza + Wine, Vertigo Theatre Gallery, XO Treatment Room, Brookfield Properties, Deloitte Inc, Calgary Stampede dream home and BUMP mural festival. Tiffany is currently focusing on large scale murals and installations.

SNEAKER PAINTING
Sydonne Warren
sydtheartiste.ca | @sydtheartiste
A visual artist originally from Jamaica and raised in Calgary, Sydonne is known for her vibrant and expressive portrait paintings. She studied Architectural Technologies and Graphic Design at SAIT and went on to major in Graphic Design at AUARTS. Sydonne has been honing her craft since 2013 and has recently expanded into public art, creating works in public spaces over the past three years. Her artistic abilities have been recognized with Diversity magazine’s Artist of the Year Award and her work has been featured in various local media outlets. Sydonne’s portraits often feature black women and incorporate geometric elements, with bright contrasting colours, drips and splatters, adding depth and conveying her cultural experiences.

SNEAKER HISTORY PRESENTATION
About YYC SOLEdiers
YYC SOLEdiers came together from a group of individuals who shared a love for sneakers and streetwear. The Facebook Group YYC SOLEdiers was created in 2012 as a resource for Calgary sneaker collectors to connect, buy, sell, trade, and talk about sneakers and streetwear.

In 2015, YYC SOLEdiers debuted the biggest sneaker event in Calgary/Alberta, The Calgary Sneaker Swap, which sees hundreds of locals walking through the doors twice a year to come together and share their love for sneaker and streetwear culture with local vendors and event-goers.

As of May 2023, YYC SOLEdiers has amassed a collective following of 20,000+ members and has organized more than 10 events over the past 10+ years.

www.linktr.ee/YYCSOLEdiers | @YYCSOLEdiers

Status YYC
An idea was born to combine a passion for Fashion and Culture. Status is a premium and progressive Streetwear boutique and independent lifestyle brand.

Status has built its name through a unique approach by curating a best-in-class assortment of products, exceptional customer service, and a signature cinematic experience in its flagship store in Calgary’s iconic Kensington neighbourhood.

COLLABORATING AGENCY
Promoting Artists | Redefining Kulture Foundation
The PARK foundation is a community-oriented platform dedicated to uplifting and celebrating local entrepreneurs, small businesses, artists, and creatives across Canada by raising awareness, and creating opportunities, spaces, and experiences.

Over the past few years, PARK has been working closely with local artists to create beautiful and experiential murals and art installations in community spaces. These opportunities allow artists to share their work with larger audiences and build sustainable practices while supporting local businesses and providing a piece of cultural identity to the city of Calgary.
Website: https://www.ourparkonline.com | Instagram: @ourparkonline