REGINA — Saskatchewan Polytechnic students joined the Queen City Pride parade, as their designs wove through the streets of Regina to celebrate the theme All Flowers Deserve to Bloom.
Eight Architectural Technologies students taking the Interior Design concentration were split into two groups to decorate two 20’ x 8’ flat deck trailers for the event. The first group created a float for Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the second group worked on a float for Queen City Pride.
Paige Tollefson worked on the Sask Polytech float. Her team went with a garden party theme, creating delicate tissue paper flowers, painting cardboard flowers and using purple balloons to form lavender flowers to represent individuality.
“Our client, Sask Polytech's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation Strategy committee, didn't have a specific idea, so we came up with a few different options, figured out one that would work within our budget and made adjustments to make it beautiful,” says Tollefson.
Taylor Buchko worked on the float for Queen City Pride. His team’s float was the last in the parade, so they went for a vibrant garden incorporating all colours from the Pride flag.
“Being a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, I wanted to make sure this was something that Queen City Pride was excited about,” says Buchko. “While the organizers worked on several events during the week, they were happy the float project was handled by a group of people they knew would take time and care in the design.”
Architectural Technologies instructor Kenda Owens oversaw the students’ work. Students further developed their skills as they held client meetings and conducted interviews to establish objectives. Students made proposals, tied in the event theme, managed a budget and got to see their work come to life. Hands-on learning opportunities like these are a key benefit of a polytechnic education.
“I enjoy seeing the students’ creativity. They need to adapt to constraints like timelines, weather and the size of the float. It’s fun to see their work in public and to see them collaborate and come together to find solutions,” she says,
On June 12 students travelled from Moose Jaw to set up the floats in the Sask Polytech Autobody shop at Regina campus. They built out their visions, but adjustments had to be made on parade day because of strong winds.
“The wind taught us that you can predict what may happen, but you have to be able to pivot with what you have,” says Buchko.
Says Owens, “Designing is never linear. We’re always editing. Even on the day of the event, we have to adjust as unexpected challenges arise.”
Coming from a small town, it was Tollefson’s first participation in a Pride parade.
“Everyone was so happy. I didn’t expect the crowd to interact as much as they did. There was a lot of cheering and encouragement,” she says. “It was a great experience to connect with the community and see everyone enjoying the day as much as we were.”
Buchko has been to parades around the world in New York City, Toronto, Italy, Vancouver and Los Angeles.
“I was always a spectator before, but being part of the parade really affected me and changed my perspective,” he says. “Being on the float and seeing people of all walks of life supporting us and waving flags was so emotional.”
Through the project, students developed a sense of community and ownership in their work as their floats were on display for one day only.
“We’re proud to represent our program and Sask Polytech,” says Tollefson.
Adds Buchko, “Our float’s message is ‘Let love bloom.’ That's what I want the public to take away, that everyone is worthy of love and deserves to love who they love.”
Learn more about the Architectural Technologies program.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is signatory to the SDG Accord. Sustainable Development Goal alignment is one of the ways Sask Polytech is leading the rise of polytechnic education.
— Submitted by Sask. Polytech Media Relations
