Winnipeg Arts Council

The Marbles on Portage Have Rolled Away

The colourful larger-than-life Marbles on the Portage Avenue median have been relocated to the Mayfair Recreation Centre at the corner of Donald Street and River Avenue. A collaboration between the Winnipeg Arts Council Public Art Program and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, this unique and playful project was initially conceived as a temporary project for Portage Avenue - but the Marbles were so well loved that they were given a new permanent home where people can get up close to explore and enjoy them! The Marbles are now a wonderful complement to the geometry of the beautiful new Mayfair Recreation Centre.

The Marbles were created by artist Erica Swendrowski as part of a residency project with the Winnipeg Arts Council. Erica’s artwork responds to existing spaces with familiar, slightly altered objects from everyday life. With this work, Erica wanted to evoke childhood memories of playing with marbles and create a whimsical experience for people going about their daily routines on one of Winnipeg’s busiest thoroughfares.

You can still enjoy Marbles on Portage too! Some of the marbles have remained in Air Canada Park and the surrounding planters on Portage Avenue.

More information about the Marbles on Portage can be found here!