Carmen Haakstad: Making a Difference

Carmen Haakstad has worn many hats in his life. His long history with Northwestern Polytechnic has included time as an instructor, a role in a multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign, and a connection with the polytechnic’s renowned architect, Douglas Cardinal. What’s the secret to making all those hats fit?

“I've relied on my art training more than anything else,” says Carmen. “It’s benefitted me in all parts of my life.”

Growing up in Northern Alberta in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Carmen always had a talent for drawing. His school years, though, were focused more on hockey, which he played through junior and senior high in Grande Prairie. His skills on the ice led him to the University of Minnesota Duluth, where Carmen’s love of art and sport converged as he completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts thanks to a full-ride hockey scholarship.

“Arts, humanities, sports – all are critically important,” Carmen insists. He feels he brought that viewpoint to each step of his career, much of it tied back to NWP. The relationship with the school began in the 1980s as a part-time arts instructor and culminated in twelve years as NWP’s Vice President, External Relations. Carmen retired from that role in 2020 at age 64, and finally calls himself a full-time artist.

The majority of Carmen’s work is oil on canvas or board, with inspiration drawn from Peace Country landscapes and his history on the farm and rink. Carmen speaks eloquently about the benefits and rewards of art, and believes that having a creative side helps us take calculated risks – something that played a role in his successful fundraising career. “Artists can really see things differently,” he asserts.

Carmen’s respect for the arts also shows in his admiration for Douglas Cardinal. Carmen was inspired to invite the celebrated architect back to campus for NWP’s 35th anniversary celebration. Carmen relates that there was trepidation about inviting Cardinal, as the architect hadn’t been asked to bid on the 1980’s-era college expansion, and some feared there were hard feelings. Cardinal’s son Bret assured Carmen that Cardinal was fond of Grande Prairie and delighted to be invited. In 2005, the college theatre was renamed the Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre, with Cardinal the guest of honour.

When NWP was awarded the 2013 Prix de XXe Siècle by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Carmen was honoured to accept on the school’s behalf. He spoke about how fortunate he felt to work in a Cardinal-designed building, saying, “Every day I walk into a work of art.” Carmen was also rewarded with laughs when he joked that Cardinal never cut corners in his creations, since there are no corners in his curving, organic designs.

“Such a gracious man,” Carmen says of the architect. “He talked about how important it was to talk to the people who would use his facility” when he designed the school.

Carmen is equally gracious in sharing stories of his abiding love of art, community and giving back. “Faith, family, friends,” he lists as the bedrocks to a happy life. He’s settling into retirement by enjoying time with his wife, daughters and grandchildren, staying active and of course, painting. 

A longtime community builder, a master of fundraising, an accomplished hockey player and a lifelong artist, Carmen has found meaning in his work, whatever hat he’s wearing at that moment.

“In all my jobs, I feel I’ve made a difference. Now in retirement, I’m using my art to do that.”