Broadview Homes Calgary Elevates Homeowner Experience with Custom Art

Calgary, AB – Broadview Homes Calgary is taking an innovative approach to add fresh pops of colour to its showhomes and providing a special gift to homebuyers with custom art by talented local artists.

The company’s art initiative started in 2017 when Broadview Homes Calgary partnered with popular local artist Jason Gogo to create custom pieces that were given as gifts to homebuyers when they purchased their homes in the Qualico community of Harmony.

The community has had tie-ins with art since its beginnings, with art being a part of the original vision of the community during its initial development. Located in Springbank, Harmony is home to large metal art pieces throughout the community.

Upon Jason’s unexpected passing in 2018, Broadview Homes Calgary connected with another local abstract multimedia artist, Michelle Kruger, who also happens to be Jason’s sister. Michelle is now creating an exclusive series of painting gifts for Harmony homeowners.

“We’re making walls, they’re making art, we should be friends,” said Peter-John Woolf, Vice President, Broadview Homes Calgary, of the partnership.

Currently, 10 of Michelle’s pieces are hanging in the Harmony showhome.  Homebuyers in the community can choose their gift from those pieces or the 20 other works in the series.

Michelle said the 36 in. x 48 in. (3 ft. x 4 ft.) pieces created for Harmony homeowners are designed to fit well within the beautifully designed spaces Broadview Homes Calgary builds.

“I create pieces that balance the space and don’t conflict with the beautiful construction of the homes,” she said. “We want to have a piece of art that’s going to accentuate the great little details in the home and not distract from it. Something calming that homeowners can get lost in.”

Michelle has completed around 60 custom art pieces to date for Harmony homeowners and she offers private showings and hangings with Broadview Homes Calgary customers, according to Andrew.

“The customers enjoy the fact that it’s not just a standard homeowner gift, it’s more involved,” he said. “They enjoy the experience of the private art hanging, where they can meet the artist one-on-one and see a couple of painting options in their home.”

Another art initiative Broadview Homes Calgary has implemented is a more recent endeavour and involves local artist Tresa Gibson. Tresa is creating six 36 in. x 36 in. (3 ft. x 3 ft.) pieces for showhomes in other communities Broadview Homes Calgary builds in – one piece for each showhome – and much of the colour palettes she uses are based on some of the selections Broadview’s designers have made for the showhomes.

“Broadview Homes asked me to create florals that would go in the main traffic areas of the showhomes to add an energetic, vibrant feeling,” Tresa said. “I asked the design team for some of the swatches for the paints, tiles, carpets, and flooring they’ve chosen, and I’m using those things to stay tonally with what they’re doing. Then I can be the one who adds the vibrant pops of color that are enhanced by certain tones.”

While the showhomes where Tresa’s art will be displayed haven’t opened yet, Broadview Homes Calgary is expecting to hang the pieces sometime this fall.

Broadview Homes Calgary has held similar launch events before, and Andrew noted such events offer important opportunities to connect with new neighbours.

“We throw events where homeowners can meet the artists, as well as meet their neighbours,” said Andrew Mackenzie, Marketing Manager, Broadview Homes Calgary. “It’s also a great way for us as the builder to connect with our customers when we host these events since management staff from Broadview attend as well. It’s nice to be able to put faces to names.”