A Hometown Victory: Calgary Creative Experience at McMahon Stadium
“More than the creative moments, it’s the people you walk away with from nights like this,” Socality team member Jonathan Zoeteman announced, welcoming the 140 creatives that attended their second event of the year in Socality’s hometown of Calgary, Alberta—their first event ever held at the University of Calgary’s staggering McMahon Stadium.
With the goal of connecting creatives and inspiring community through artistic outlets, the team at Socality felt that McMahon Stadium was a no-brainer for their next event in partnership with Canon Creator Lab. “The goal is to find venues that give creatives the opportunity to make something visually unique, and to give them access to a space they wouldn’t normally have access to,” said Socality’s Event Coordinator, Braden Dam. Holding true to the Socality vision, the team ensured that with private access to McMahon Stadium, event-goers could experience the field like never before. Not just from the bleachers or sidelines, but as the main event themselves. “Lean into the community,” Braden encouraged, “learn from one another, try out something new—something you’ve never done before.”
Armed with their cameras, walking down the narrow, paved pathway of the stadium’s Gate 6 entrance, creatives felt the thrill of anticipation for the marvel that was awaiting their arrival. Stepping out onto the vast expanse of turf spurred a rush of adrenaline, the urge to run, tackle and throw—a feeling that some event-goers embraced as they joined in on a football scrimmage or game of Spikeball. Even with the towering stadium’s 35,000 seats sitting vacant, the magnetic energy of a sold-out venue on game-day pulsed through the field, inspiring creativity amongst the community.
Once the event kicked off, after an inaugural Socality group photo, creators were free to roam the entirety of the stadium at their own pace, taking advantage of the four styled areas— including one space with an array of bright blue and red staggered backdrops, and another with contemporary furniture that strategically contrasted the robust field. Five designated models were outfitted in an array of contrasting looks; from the delicate fabric of Ebony Jepson’s tiered gown to the rebellion of Jared Tobias Herring’s green leather jacket, there were looks to accompany a myriad of moods.
Near the main stage at the south end of the field, representatives from The Camera Store in Calgary generously lent out Canon equipment for creatives to experiment with, providing an incredible opportunity for event-goers to access state-of-the-art gear (and exclusive discounts on Canon products).
As the sun began to dip below the bleachers, shadows fell on the painted turf as models and community members alike posed before lenses—capturing the elegance and allure of McMahon Stadium; reimagining the mainstream portrayal of rugged athletic spaces. The stadium lights powered on as the setting sun transformed the sky into a magnificent watercolour of orange and red. You couldn’t help but feel the radiance of McMahon Stadium. The buzz of a vibrant and passionate community. The nostalgia of summer evenings and a hometown victory under the electric glow of stadium lights.
Images by Glenn Thomson & Jonathan Fleet
About the author
Emily Iorio is a non-fiction writer and poet originally hailing from Woodstock, Ontario. With an affinity for the snow-capped mountains of Western Canada, Emily began her educational pursuit of creative writing at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has since planted her storytelling roots in the vibrant cityscape of Calgary, Alberta where she continues to pursue higher education and the completion of her first manuscript.