Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”.
Bhutan • 11 days, 10 nights
Festivals & Temples of Bhutan
from
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Headstone of Matilda Joslyn Gage.
Matilda Joslyn Gage Grave
Mammoth footprint replica
Ice Age Floods display at Tualatin Public Library
Karpeles Manuscript Library Mini Museum
Shakespeare’s Death Mask
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The sign declares this the number-one gumbo shop in town.
Gumbo Hut Shioya
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Omni Parker House Hotel
The Omni Parker House: Inside the History of Boston’s Most Iconic Hotel
about 19 hours ago
The cute capybara.
Animal Takeover: Brace Yourself for Adorable Hordes
2 days ago
The Codex Gigas (the Devil’s Bible) open to the portrait of the devil.
Codex Gigas: Who Drew the Devil in This Massive Medieval Bible?
3 days ago
USDA and Washington State agriculture officials tagged this Asian giant hornet. Sept. 10, 2021.
What Ever Happened to the Murder Hornets?
4 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Canada Alberta Calgary Calgary's Utility Box Art

Calgary's Utility Box Art

Decorated by local artists, the city's utility boxes have become three-dimensional canvases.

Calgary, Alberta

Added By
Leanne Louie
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Leanne Louie / Atlas Obscura User
  Leanne Louie / Atlas Obscura User
  Leanne Louie / Atlas Obscura User
  Leanne Louie / Atlas Obscura User
  Leanne Louie / Atlas Obscura User
  Leanne Louie / Atlas Obscura User
  Leanne Louie / Atlas Obscura User
  Leanne Louie / Atlas Obscura User
  Leanne Louie / Atlas Obscura User
  Leanne Louie / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In most cities, the plain coloring of utility boxes blends in with the background scenery. But in Calgary, these fixtures have become three-dimensional canvases, decorated by artists to add a splash of color to the city streets. 

In 2010, the city of Calgary initiated the Utility Box Public Art Program with the goal of deterring vandalism and graffiti. With the help of local artists, the plain grays and greens typical of these fixtures disappeared beneath vibrant artworks depicting everything from the local wildlife to abstract patterns. Given the boxes’ popularity among the people of Calgary, the program became permanent in 2011 and has continued to grow, engaging new partners and artists from around the city. 

Although it began as a preventative measure against vandalism, the Utility Box Program has become a cultural symbol of Calgary. The colorful designs are celebrated as beloved additions to the cityscape that people can enjoy while driving to work or the grocery store. As many of the artworks depict aspects of the local culture, the utility boxes function not only to brighten people’s days with vibrant hues, but also to foster a sense of community and shared identity amongst Calgarians. And for tourists, visiting these utility boxes is an excellent way to pass a day away while taking in some of the sights of the city. 

Know Before You Go

The first box was decorated along 16th Avenue N in 2010. Since then, more than 200 have been decorated. You can browse the painted utility boxes and their locations on the Calgary city website. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Leanne Louie

Published

January 3, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreation/Pages/Public-Art/Utility-Box-Public-Art-Program.aspx
Calgary's Utility Box Art
16th Avenue N
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
51.074913, -114.168707
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Nose Hill Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel

Calgary, Alberta

miles away

Peace Bridge

Calgary, Alberta

miles away

Udderly Art Pasture

Calgary, Alberta

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Calgary

Calgary

Alberta

Places 11
Stories 3

Nearby Places

Nose Hill Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel

Calgary, Alberta

miles away

Peace Bridge

Calgary, Alberta

miles away

Udderly Art Pasture

Calgary, Alberta

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Calgary

Calgary

Alberta

Places 11
Stories 3
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.