Lacombe’s new mural on 50 Avenue isn’t only a vibrant, visually stunning work of art, it’s a window…or like…a time portal. A gateway into a future where our real-world built environment has an equally flourishing virtual counterpart in the metaverse. And to be perfectly frank, it’s long overdue that we started thinking more like this.

Digital Twin Awaits Lacombe's Essence

Lauren Cowles, one of our many gifted local artists, painted the beautiful mural. She worked alongside the city for eight months to document what makes Lacombe unique. She went on to distill that essence into a digital artwork, colorful design—it’s the same design now printed on a dibond sign. What if this digital creation was only the beginning?

Now picture that same digital Lacombe, recreated with the same care, detail and love in the metaverse. As an ingredient, the mural can act as a focal anchor. It will transform into a virtual public square, where residents engage, work together, and develop their community’s future. Imagine Ready Player One, but set in the middle of Alberta.

The visual elements of the mural, carefully chosen to represent what Lacombe stands for, could be translated into interactive experiences. One click on a virtual wheat field, and you’re transported to a historical recreation of early farming practices. Engage with an immersive 3D model of a downtown dealership or shop, and you could earn special offers or virtual guided tours.

This is not only about replicating Lacombe, though — it’s about improving it. It's about accessibility. For people with limited mobility, the metaverse Lacombe provides an opportunity to engage equally in civic life. For those who have long since moved away, it’s the only opportunity to reconnect with their roots. It's about a new sense of belonging.

From Graphic Novel To Digital Frontier

Coming from the perspective of someone who’s made graphic novels, I can immediately appreciate the mural’s possible impact. It represents a powerful visual story, waiting to be grown upon. Consider it like the first page of a long, digital profile story. We’ll fill this metaverse space with the vibrant imagery we draw from the mural to bring a rich, engaging immersive experience to life.

  • Interactive Storytelling: Imagine quests and challenges within the virtual Lacombe, drawing inspiration from local history and folklore.
  • Virtual Events: Host virtual festivals, concerts, and town hall meetings accessible to anyone, anywhere.
  • Digital Art Gallery: Showcase local artists' work in a virtual gallery, fostering creativity and innovation.

Cowles painted the mural digitally on her tablet, using hand-painted imagery she had already developed. That’s not a small detail, that’s a marker. An early indication that Lacombe is willing and ready to go out on that digital frontier. It’s an indication that we are just getting started on how we can use technology to foster a healthier, more engaged and better connected community.

Inclusivity Built Into The Code

The metaverse, at its best, is a democratizing force. It creates new opportunities for underrepresented communities. It elevates the unheard voices and gives a sense of acceptance to the ones that don’t have it.

Imagine a virtual support group for LGBTQ+ youth in Lacombe, a safe space where they can connect with peers and access resources. Now, picture that same job fair— but virtual, connecting jobseekers with disabilities to employers who are dedicated to showcasing their abilities. Envision a virtual language exchange that can help newly arrived immigrants acclimate while helping established residents learn as well.

The metaverse offers unparalleled opportunities for inclusivity. These are the values that we would like to see reflected in Lacombe’s digital twin. Our hope is that this will be a space that is truly welcoming and accessible, to people of all backgrounds.

We can’t just talk about inclusivity, we need to build it into the code. First, let’s get diverse perspectives to the table during the design process. In this way, the metaverse Lacombe will better reflect the vibrant and diverse nature of our community.

This isn't just about creating a cool virtual space. It's about building a better future for Lacombe.

Is Lacombe Ready To Level Up?

To engage the community with the mural, the City of Lacombe wants residents to go out, explore the mural, and find its symbolic elements. That's a great start. Let's take it a step further. So let’s start by inviting Lacombe residents to submit their ideas on how a Lacombe metaverse could/should be developed.

What kinds of activities and experiences do you want to have? Which places of commemoration and history should be featured? How can we use the virtual community to really capture the spirit of Lacombe?

This is our opportunity to set the tone for our community’s future. So, let’s celebrate the possibilities of the metaverse! Together, we can build a digital twin of Lacombe that welcomes all, engages everyone, and embodies what we hold dear.

Let’s make good on that mural and build an actual metaverse entrance. Smart transportation A gateway to a brighter, more connected future