Event Directory Search for upcoming events Picks and Previews Plan ahead to check out these not-to-be-missed events All Theatre Dance Music Film & Media Visual Art Literary Festival Promotion Free Visual Art See Maia Cruz Palileo’s Afterward in RELATIONS: Diaspora and Painting | Image: Courtesy of the Esker Foundation Aug. 1, 2021 - Aug. 31, 2021 August Exhibitions Summer heats up thanks to Calgary’s visual arts community Amy Jo Espetveidt Location Various Venues Price Prices Vary As the season rolls on, Calgary’s visual arts community continues to program and curate some amazing shows and events. Continuing with loads of safety protocols and adaptability, here are some great events to check out this August! Summer Broom Making August 1, 2021, 10:00am – 4:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $155.84 Join local broom maker David Campbell for a one-day workshop in the centuries-old craft of handwoven broom making. Participants are provided with all of the materials, tools, and instruction needed to make their own broom from start to finish. Register early to take part! facebook.com BUMP Festival August 2 – 29, 2021 Various venues Visit website for full details Announcing another 20+ local, national, and international artists joining this annual mural extravaganza, the Beltline Urban Murals Project is turning Calgary into an expansive open-air art gallery. Be sure to check out a mural tour, live music and shows, a movie screening, or the always-bumping graffiti jam. yycbump.ca Painting Alberta Pop-Up Exhibition August 4 & 5, 2021 Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) By donation Sabine Lecorre-Moore is participating in the 39th International Contemporary Art Symposium of Baie St. Paul. See a portion of Painting Alberta exhibited in tents outside at Leighton Art Centre. Each small piece represents a snapshot of life in Alberta, building a story bit by bit. facebook.com See pieces by Sabine Lecorre-Moore at the Painting Alberta Pop-Up Exhibition | Photo: Courtesy of the Leighton Art Centre Molly JF Caldwell August 5, 2021, 6:00pm Stream online Free to watch, registration required Join Molly JF Caldwell for an artist talk and Q&A with assistant curator Elizabeth Diggon, about her work and practice, as well as her current exhibition in the Esker Foundation Project Space. With One Hand Tied Behind My Back reflects Caldwell’s ongoing research on labour, care, gender, and sexuality. eventbrite.ca Little Deaths August 6, 2021 Idle Eyes Gallery (215 36th Ave. NE) $10 Sebastian Buzzalino offers a voyeuristic view of bodies without boundaries through this long exposure, black and white photography project that attempts to expand ideas around gender, sexuality, and authorship. The opening features music by Mariel Buckley and guests. facebook.com As Snug As A Bug August 7, 2021, 9:30am – 12:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $17.27 – $56.97 Visit the beautiful foothills for a morning of exploring and creating at the Leighton Art Centre! Join its art and nature educators for a nature walk, learn about the native plants and wildlife, and create a nature inspired artwork—this one is all about why bugs are so important. eventbrite.ca Felted Bird Feeder August 7, 2021, 10:00am – 4:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $117.04 Head to the Leighton Art Centre to learn how to work with felt! In this workshop, participants make a sample piece of felt to help us understand the unique, natural properties of wool. Then put your new-found knowledge to use making a felt bird feeder! eventbrite.ca Authentically Indigenous Craft Show August 7, 2021, 10:00am – 5:00pm Kerby Centre (1133 7th Ave. SW) $5 Featuring amazing Indigenous artists from Calgary and the Treaty 7 area, take in the wonderful handmade wares, meet the artisans, and watch live artist demonstrations showing how they make and create. authenticallyindig.com Wet Felted Sampler Class August 8, 2021, 10:00am – 4:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $117.04 Wet felting is a method of creating art using wool as your medium. Leah Cathleen Donald explores different breeds of wool and their properties, and participants will make a larger sampler piece of felt while exploring many techniques in this relaxed, experimental felting class! eventbrite.ca Wilder Mural August 8, 2021, 4:00 – 7:00pm Crescent Heights Community Association (1101 2nd St. NW) Free to explore This community mural showcases Alberta’s wildlife and highlights endangered species. Bring your family and friends, listen to some live music, and learn more about Alberta’s nature through stories and games. Come experience Alberta’s uniqueness. crescentheightsyyc.ca The 2021 MFA Thesis Exhibition August 13 – September 17, 2021 Various venues Free to explore Nickle Galleries presents the work of eight artists from the University of Calgary’s graduating master of fine arts class of 2021. Through drawing, mixed media, video, photography, and painting, the artists showcase their research-led creations. Be sure to check it out! facebook.com Travel Plein Air Sketching August 14, 2021, 10:00am – 4:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $94.87 Join Michelle Wiebe to learn the secrets of capturing architecture, nature, and indoor scenes while you’re on the road, using watercolour and ink. Discover approaches for quickly capturing the moment, as well as plenty of practical information on what to bring for your adventures! eventbrite.ca Meet The Foothills August 14, 2021, 11:00am – 1:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $11.73 – $28.36 Can you tell the difference between a robin and a sparrow? This is the workshop for you if you’ve ever wished you knew more about birds! Come and walk the Leighton Art Centre’s Bluebird Trail and learn about the special bird adaptations that make each species successful. eventbrite.ca Blueridge Arts Walk August 14, 2021, 11:00am – 4:00pm Various locations in the Blueridge Community Free to explore The second annual Blueridge Arts Walk is coming up at various venues in the community of Blueridge in NW Calgary. The work of many local artists will be on display including paintings, photographs and sculptures. This is a free outdoor event and open to everyone. facebook.com Discover the Night Sky August 14, 2021, 9:00 – 11:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $11.73 – $28.36 Experience the Leighton Art Centre while gazing up into the beautiful night sky! Build your own star map and star map finder, then head into the night with naturalist Jim Critchley to recognize and identify the stars, constellations and zodiac signs that light up the foothills at night. eventbrite.ca Art in the Garden August 14 & 15, 2021, 10:00am – 4:00pm Art in the Garden (3443 Kerrypark Rd. SW) Free to explore The 12th annual Art in the Garden Show and Sale features artists in attendance. Framed and unframed paintings in many mediums and styles, art cards, matted prints and stained glass to choose from. Come out and enjoy a day of art and the beautiful gardens! facebook.com Foreigner August 17 – 28, 2021 EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society (2005 10th Ave. SW) Free to explore Foreigner by University of Calgary MFA candidate Yeisen Chang consists in a video and sound installation, divided in two spaces. The show represents her personal experience as a migrant artist and is part of the University of Calgary’s 2021 MFA Thesis Exhibition. facebook.com Collaborative Weaving August 19 – 21, 2021 Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE) Free to participate, registration required Join Project Space artist Molly JF Caldwell for an earth-friendly interactive workshop where you will learn how to transform old clothing, sheets, or fabric into textile art. Molly will share her knowledge and skills, including how to warp a loom, weaving techniques, and creating patterns. eskerfoundation.com Down in the Weeds August 20 – October 10, 2021 VIVIANEART (1018 9th Ave. SE) Free to explore Winnie Truong’s newest series of works continues her exploration of the female form within natural yet often surreal and imagined worlds. Truong uses intricate pencil crayon drawings to create cut paper collages, resulting in intense and beautiful created environments. vivianeart.com We’re Nuts For You August 21, 2021, 9:30am – 12:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $17.27 – $56.07 Visit the beautiful foothills for a morning of exploring and creating at the Leighton Art Centre! Join art and nature educators for a nature walk, learn about the native plants and wildlife, and explore and create based on the theme of squirrels! Be sure to register early to save your spot. eventbrite.ca Festival of Quilts August 21 & 22, 2021 Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Dr. SW) With admission Heritage Park wants this year’s Festival of Quilts to be as great as it can be! Hundreds of stunning homemade quilts of all shapes, sizes and techniques will blanket the park in a beautiful array of colour and pattern. Enjoy quilt displays, a Merchant’s Mall, and workshops all under the summer skies. heritagepark.ca Check out the Festival of Quilts this August | Photo: Courtesy of Heritage Park Youth Earth Art Series August 22, 2021, 1:00 – 4:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $77.13 Learn how to make jewelry in harmony with nature! Participants learn how to create jewelry from natural materials such as twigs, bark, and seeds. Take home a piece of the land that you can wear wherever you go! Part of the Earth Art Series, come for one session or come for them all! eventbrite.ca Collaborative Mural Making Art Camp August 24 – 26, 2021 Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE) Free to participate, registration required Children aged five to eight are invited to join the Esker for a three-day summer art camp experience! Activities include nature walks, games, and working with a variety of art making materials to create a large-scale collaborative mural. Be sure to register early! eskerfoundation.com Indigenous Art & Activism August 26, 2021, 7:00 – 8:30pm Stream online Free to watch, registration required This year’s Calgary Institute for the Humanities LGBTQ2S+ lecture features three celebrated young Indigenous artists and intellectuals: Joshua Whitehead, Billy-Ray Belcourt, and Shawnee Kish. There’s also a roundtable discussion about the intersections of art and activism for queer, trans, and two-spirit indigenous artists. eventbrite.ca Plein Air Painting Practice August 28, 2021, 10:00am – 2:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $83.79 Plein air is painting outside, where the artist experiences a range of new challenges from how to edit views, to setting up a workable palette. A.S. Helwig introduces you to the basics needed, discussing equipment, limited palettes, editing, and blocking in methods. eventbrite.ca Travel Plein Air Sketching August 28, 2021, 10:00am – 4:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $94.87 Join Michelle Wiebe to learn the secrets of capturing architecture, nature, and indoor scenes while you’re on the road, using watercolour and ink. Discover approaches for quickly capturing the moment, as well as plenty of practical information on what to bring for your adventures! eventbrite.ca Painting Loose & Free Outdoors August 28 & 29, 2021, 10:00am – 3:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $250.07 Let’s go painting at the Leighton Centre! Experience two days of sunny outdoor painting and learn to simplify all that Mother Nature has to offer. Composition and colour mixing will be heavily emphasized. eventbrite.ca Adult Youth Earth Art Series August 29, 2021, 1:00 – 4:00pm Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) $77.13 Learn how to make jewelry in harmony with nature! Participants learn how to create jewelry from natural materials such as twigs, bark, and seeds. Part of the Earth Art Series, come for one session or come for them all! eventbrite.ca Ongoing Exhibitions Thinking of You Until August 8, 2021 Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE) Free to explore Thinking of You explores writing, connection, and memory through the process of making postcards for friends and family. Youth artists synthesized text and images to capture the sense of missing one another, and an attempt to link with those separated by space and time. eskerfoundation.com Unmasking Imagination Until August 8, 2021 Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE) Free to explore Through multiple artistic mediums, children aged eight to 13 worked with artist Katie Green to explore what it meant to embody the mask and character they were creating in art camp. Check out the artistic results these children achieved through mindfulness and creative practice! eskerfoundation.com Threading Black Until August 8, 2021 Alberta Craft Gallery, cSPACE King Edward (1721 29th Ave. SW) Free to explore eva birhanu and Simone Elizabeth Saunders define for themselves, in this body of work, permanent manifestations through practices that reckon with the necessary conversations surrounding race, gender, roots, and identity. albertacraft.ab.ca Nasarimba Until August 15, 2021 VIVIANEART (1018 9th Ave. SE) Free to explore The collaborative practice of artists Rachel Ziriada and Mikhail Miller, Nasarimba is a fictional word created by the duo which means playful mischief. They are perhaps most recognized for their dynamic and colourful murals, many of them gracing walls around Calgary, across Canada, and in Mexico City. vivianeart.com Unspoken Incantation Until August 21, 2021 Alberta Society of Artists (222, 1235 26th Ave. SE) Free to explore Mao (Kun) Chen’s works explore themes of socio-cultural identity, female representation, and gender politics associated with growing up in a male-dominated society in China. This exhibition explores kawaii culture in Asian-Canadian identity through ceramics and paintings. albertasocietyofartists.com See Unspoken Incantation 4 by Mao ( Kun ) Chen 陈昆 | Image: Courtesy of the Alberta Society of Artists You Could be Quoting Shakespeare Until August 21, 2021 Alberta Society of Artists (222, 1235 26th Ave. SE) Free to explore SPECTRA Textile Arts showcases a collection of textile art inspired by Shakespeare quotes, with many of the popular phrases and sayings in common use today. Come be inspired to learn more about Shakespeare’s influence on our language through art! Don’t miss your chance to check it out! albertasocietyofartists.com Lands to Travel Through Until August 27, 2021 Alberta Printmakers Gallery (4025 4th St. SE) Free to explore As part of the Lands to Travel Through artist-run gathering, Alberta Printmakers highlights alternative forms of knowledge dissemination and creative exchange with Martha Street Studio’s Trio and a portion of l’Atelier Presse Papier’s Vague démographique: mouvance des cultures. albertaprintmakers.com Summer Group Show Until August 28, 2021 Herringer Kiss Gallery (101, 1615 10th Ave. SW) Free to explore Herringer Kiss Gallery presents an in-person rotating exhibition of diverse works by gallery artists, including Howard Lonn, Katie Ohe, Shelley Adler, Harry Kiyooka, Renee Duval,Genevieve Dionne, David Burdeny, Fiona Ackerman, Sara Robichaud, and more. You can also view it online. herringerkissgallery.com Chroma Until August 28, 2021 Christine Klassen Gallery (200, 321 50th Ave. SE) Free to explore This summer group and invitational show at Christine Klassen Gallery features artworks by Karrie Arthurs, Ronald Boaks, Heather Close and Sarah Nordean, Rick Ducommon, Julya Hajnoczky, Madeleine Lamont, Robert Pierce, Lori Lukasewich, Carl White and many more! Be sure to check it out! christineklassengallery.com Joy Until August 29, 2021 ATB Art Vault Gallery (102 8th Ave. SW) Free to explore Joy is a collaboration between the Alberta University of the Arts and ATB Art Vault. This free exhibition showcases artwork from six AUArts alumni. Each artist shares work in this exhibition that embodies their relationships to the joy they feel in their lives. auarts.ca Highlights From the Art Collection Until August 29, 2021 Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE) With admission Spend some time with a selection of beautiful, surprising, and feel-good artworks from Glenbow’s diverse art collection. Whether you’re seeking a window into another world or a calm moment of contemplation, each of these artworks will reward your attention. glenbow.org Maud Lewis Until August 29, 2021 Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE) With admission Glenbow presents the work of one of Canada’s most beloved folk artists, Maud Lewis, who was famous in her lifetime for her brightly coloured and endearing paintings of rural Nova Scotia, producing hundreds of small works that captured aspects of country life that were rapidly changing. glenbow.org Shuvinai Ashoona Until August 29, 2021 Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE) With admission Take in Mapping Worlds courtesy of Glenbow. Shuvinai Ashoona’s drawings imagine the past and present fused into a prophetic future, populated by human-animal hybrid creatures, women birthing worlds, and mystical or other-worldly landscapes clearly inspired by the terrain of her northern home. glenbow.org Beyond Van Gogh: An Immersive Experience Until August 29, 2021 BMO Centre, Stampede Park (20 Roundup Way SE) Prices vary In an imaginative and immersive presentation crafted for our unique times by world renowned audiovisual designers, Beyond Van Gogh uses cutting-edge projection technology to create an engaging journey into the world of Van Gogh. Tickets are selling out so grab yours quickly. calgaryvangogh.com Hot Hot Hot Until August 31, 2021 Wallace Galleries (500 5th Ave. SW) Free to explore Wallace Galleries presents a group exhibition with a handpicked selection of works by its roster of artists to celebrate the summer. The show includes work by Dorothy Knowles, Gregory Hardy, Simon Andrew, Hilda Oomen, and more so be sure to check it out this season! wallacegalleries.com Birds Eat Mosquitoes Until September 5, 2021 Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) By donation Inspired by our powerful prairie surroundings, Doug Levitt began a series devoted to painting Alberta. Along the backroads and scenic piques and valleys, Doug fell in love with the birds he inevitably encountered on his explorations. Check his work out at the Leighton Art Centre! leightoncentre.org Where Do We Stand? Until September 5, 2021 Leighton Art Centre (282027 144th St. West, Millarville) By donation An exhibition of sculpture and two-dimensional works by Neshka Krusche, the artist finds the driftwood, mostly cedar and fir, on the West Coast and completely transforms it to take on a new, sharp, thought-provoking presence. You won’t want to miss it. leightoncentre.org A History For Today Until September 6, 2021 Gasoline Alley, Heritage Park (1900 Heritage Dr. SW) With admission This engaging and inspirational exhibit shares the story of Anne Frank and her family, their life in hiding, WWII, and the atrocities of the Holocaust. The stories unfold through the words of young Anne and her family, with excerpts taken from her diary. heritagepark.ca Special Thymes Until September 29, 2021 Window Installation, EB Centre Street CTrain Station (124 7th Ave. SE) Free to explore The Bows presents works by artist Les Ramsay, reflecting images of organic states of fractured evolution, text and figure that mingle in lucid landscapes. Ramsay creates his works by recycling the excess of everyday ideas and domestic objects using constructive and deconstructive strategies. thebows.org Eat & Seek Until September 30, 2021 Southcentre Mall (100 Anderson Rd. SE) Free to explore Eat & Seek is an inventive, interactive outdoor dining space featuring artwork from local Alberta artists. Explore vibrant interactive designs and wordplay that will inspire you to hunt for hidden messages in a larger-than-life word search, attempt an unconventional hopscotch, and more! southcentremall.com Threads of Living Memory Until October 3, 2021 Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE) With admission Drawing on Glenbow’s Inuit textiles collection and loans from across Canada, these objects and artworks are manifestations of the dynamic connections between the makers, the viewers, the land, the spirit world, and future generations of memory makers. Be sure to book your visit and check it out. glenbow.org With One Hand Tied Behind My Back Until October 10, 2021 Project Space, Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE) Free to explore A 30-foot tapestry, cherry red and bubble-gum pink, Molly JF Caldwell’s site-specific installation is a love letter to Penelope from Homer’s Odyssey who repeatedly wove, unraveled, and rewove a tapestry to avoid suitors while awaiting her husband’s return. eskerfoundation.com Everywhere We Are Until October 10, 2021 Contemporary Calgary (701 11th St. SW) With admission An ambitious exhibition and public program series addressing challenges, merits, impacts, and advantages associated with art collecting, it is intended to express that boundaries are often mutable, flexible and even artificial, and that art is owned by the person who sees it. contemporarycalgary.com Notes for Tomorrow Until October 10, 2021 Contemporary Calgary (701 11th St. SW) With admission This exhibition features artworks selected by curators from around the world to reflect on a new global reality ushered in by the COVID-19 pandemic, with artworks addressing spirituality as a grounding mechanism, sharing ways to make sense of the world when so much is in doubt. contemporarycalgary.com Stories from Early Chinatown Until October 17, 2021 Lougheed House (707 13th Ave. SW) With admission The Chinese community has been in Calgary since the early days of settlement. By 1885, the year after Calgary became incorporated as a town, the first Chinese residents were settled in the town centre. Despite racism and discriminatory government policies, the community slowly grew. This exhibit explores the stories of these early Calgarians through creative writing, illustrations, audio, and historical photographs. lougheedhouse.com Beyond the Edge Until October 17, 2021 Lougheed House (707 13th Ave. SW) With admission Beyond the Edge is a traveling exhibit by artist Kay Burns that looks at the Flat Earth Society of Canada and its later iterations, along with curious details about two of its enigmatic members. The exhibit embodies how inquiry plays an important role in critical thinking and knowledge acquisition. lougheedhouse.com RELATIONS: Diaspora and Painting Until November 27, 2021 Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE) Free to explore This group exhibition explores the multiple and complex meanings of the idea of the diaspora, its condition, and its experiences as expressed in painting, offering a selection of works by artists who address the question from various points of view. Be sure to make it a priority to visit. eskerfoundation.com The Boxed Stories Gallery Until December 1, 2021 Loft 112 (112, 535 8th Ave. SE) $5 Housed within a vintage card catalogue, the library’s one time answer to organizing a collection of books for readers to locate on a shelf, visitors are encouraged to discover varied artworks as they open each drawer. This gallery is curated by 32 Calgary artists and writers. loft112.org Have a visual arts event that’s not listed? 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