Behind the scenes: Saskatoon Running Festival logo

The logo for the Saskatoon Running Festival and the limited-edition swag is drawing rave reviews on social media – but the story behind the logo is even more impressive.
Indigenous artist Chris Chipak brought the artwork to life, adding another chapter to his Saskatchewan success story.

Quiet, humble and remarkably talented, Chipak is currently drawing for NBA Canada from his home studio in Saskatoon. In the last year, he has also been hired by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. While those are two of the most powerful brands in the country, it is only part of his resume.

His client list also includes the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Crave TV – Little Bird, Aaniin Clothing and many more.
Chipak is trending straight up. But he has not forgot his roots.

“I am from Red Pheasant First Nation. My biological father was not part of my life and my mom raised my two sisters and I until she met my stepdad,” said Chipak. “We moved to his reserve, Red Pheasant, where I lived from age 3 to 17. As I grew up in reserve, the acceptance and community I was a part of is something that will not be replaced. I look at my reserve as a place that shaped me into the person I am today.”

These days, Chipak is sought-after to bring ideas to life in art. The latest example is the Saskatoon Running Festival logo. Unveiled last week through social media, the running community is grabbing the swag at a quick rate. More than 50% of the limited-edition stock of white bunny hugs was purchased in the first 36 hours of registration opening on January 31st.
You can purchase a bunny hug when you register for the 5KM, 10KM or 10 Mile distance in the Festival. Registration is right here: https://www.321gorunning.ca/event/saskatoon-running-festival/.

“The idea of (including) landmarks (in the logo) was presented to me and I immediately thought of the Bessborough (Hotel) and the bridges. I wanted to have three or four landmarks that represented Saskatoon,” said Chipak. “I feel like I got that with the four chosen and thankfully the colourway chosen tied in all four perfectly to make it cohesive
“I like the challenge of taking someone’s story or idea and building it as a visual story.”

There is so much to look forward to in the coming months. Chipak is also producing artwork for the Moose Jaw Running Festival in June and Step Up for Mental Health in September.
You can learn much more about about Chipak’s art by following him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inchipakwetrust?igsh=MWw0MTQ5cGZweXBq.