Countdown To The Cowtown Hoedown

That, unfortunately, hasn't really sunk in. The best example of Calgary's provincial mentality occurred when OCO '88 awarded the commission to create the official Olympic sculpture to a husband-and-wife team from Paris, Patrick and Ann Poirier. Demonstrators took to the steps of city hall to protest that the job had not gone to a Canadian artist, and the city council spurned the sculpture, which was to have stood in a downtown plaza where the Olympic medals will be awarded each night. As a result, there will be no Olympic sculpture until after the Games. Then a new contest may be held—only Canadians need apply—and something depicting the XV Winter Olympics may be erected in the plaza.

"We have a $10 million arts budget, and 88 percent of it will go to local artists, only 12 percent to international artists," says King, defending the original decision to commission the French couple. "What would happen if the statue of David was offered as a gift to the people of Calgary? Would they turn it down? What if America had turned down the Statue of Liberty? There is a certain amount of international savoir faire that still has to be cultivated here."

Calgary is, after all, a cowtown. A little rough around the edges, but at the bottom of things, willing and eager to please. By the time Feb. 13, 1988 rolls around, the ill will caused by this ticket business will be forgotten, scalpers will be on hand to tend to the truly needy, and the Olympic hoedown will begin. And one way or another, you can bet that Calgary will have its boots shined bright for the world. Mosey on up if you get a chance. It should be a quality party.