May is filled with tons of great visual arts exhibitions but where this month really shines is in its additional programming. With family-friendly tours, behind-the-scenes looks, workshops, talks, and screenings, it’s a great time to head to Calgary’s museums.

Art Baby Tour

May 2, 2017, 10:00am
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free – $5

Bring the baby to the museum for a relaxed, infant-friendly one-hour tour of Adad Hannah’s The Raft of the Medusa (Saint-Louis) exhibition with curator Sarah Todd. Suitable for adults accompanied by children under two. Strollers welcome.
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Out for Lunch Tour

May 3, 2017, 12:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free – $5

Join Susan Kooyman, curator of North of Ordinary: The Arctic Photographs of Geraldine and Douglas Moodie, for this in-depth look at the exhibition’s images and archival materials.
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Mini Masters

May 4, 2017, 11:00 – 11:45am
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration essential

Calling Calgary’s newest contemporaries! Join the Esker Foundation on the first Thursday of every month for a hands-on art class. Parents and guardians are invited to bring their little ones, ages two to five, to explore art making in this fun and social program. All are welcome to participate, just dress for mess!
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Youth Open House at Glenbow

May 4, 2017, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free, RSVP required

Glenbow’s first youth-focused event, add your voice and influence the future of the museum’s youth programming. The evening includes collaborative art-making inspired by David Altmejd’s The Vessel, 2001, and free food!
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Free First Thursday Nights

May 4, 2017, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free

Have you been to Glenbow lately? A great time to check out this Calgary institution is at its upcoming Free First Thursday Night—the museum is open late and admission is free.
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Concrete Roses

May 4 – 24, 2017
Studio C, cSPACE King Edward (235, 1721 29th Ave. SW)
Free

Presented by UpRoot YYC—a grassroots arts initiative that provides financial recognition, mentorship, and support to rising artists of colour in Calgary—this exhibition includes work from Artists in Colour YYC. And on May 11 celebrate the opening with spoken word performances by Shaf, Sally Njoroge, and John Bello, from 5:00 to 7:00pm.
studiocprospect.ca

Architecture and National Identity: The Centennial Projects 50 Years On

May 4 – July 30, 2017
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free

Contemporary Calgary’s Utopia Project continues with this touring exhibition curated by Marco Polo and Colin Ripley. Providing an historical archival component, Architecture and National Identity offers an exhaustive documentation on Canada’s Centennial projects coast to coast. A reception and curator’s tour is scheduled for May 4 at 7:00pm.
contemporarycalgary.com

Bring The Baby Art Tour

May 5, 2017, 12:00 – 12:30pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended

Bring your baby to Esker Foundation for a tot-friendly discussion on this relaxed, social tour.
eventbrite.ca

The Amazing Velvet Experience

May 5, 2017, 7:00 – 11:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
$75

Come for the party, go home with a velvety treasure! Each ticket buyer will go home with their very own black velvet painting—which one will be yours?
eventbrite.ca

Market Collective

May 5 – 7, 2017
Chinese Cultural Centre (197 1st St. SE)
$5

The next three-day Market Collective features a range of vendors selling everything from handmade bath products to jewellery to paper goods. And as always, the weekend includes a killer lineup of music and food.
marketcollective.ca

Color on Colour

May 5 – 27, 2017
Artpoint Gallery & Studios Society (1139 11st St. SE)
Free

Colour is the name of the game for this exhibition—head to Artpoint Gallery to see work from Errol Lee Fullen and Mali Vargas in the main gallery.
artpoint.ca

Autospect

May 5 – 27, 2017
Artpoint Gallery & Studios Society (1139 11st St. SE)
Free

A recent graduate of the Alberta College of Art + Design, Kale Vandenbroek’s Autospect is a collection of print-based works that look at an ambiguous narrative imagery about the artist’s introspective nature. Check out the show at its opening reception from 5:00 to 9:00pm on May 5.
artpoint.ca

Medalta Bus Tour

May 6, 2017, 8:00am – 7:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
$40, registration essential

Join the Esker Foundation for a day trip to Medicine Hat to visit Medalta’s iconic beehive kilns and old ceramics factory. An early and un-altered reminder of the beginning of Western Canada’s industrial revolution, tour this working studio as Medalta staff create pottery using historic machines and methods from over a century ago. Bus transportation to and from Medalta and lunch from a local cafe will be provided.
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Glass Painting Art Workshop

May 6, 2017, 1:00 – 2:30pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free with admission

Use special paint and hand drawn images to create your own glass paintings on household vessels. Suggested for ages eight and up, parental supervision and assistance is required. All materials provided.
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Artist Talk & Panel Discussion

May 6, 2017, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free, registration recommended

This afternoon features presentations from Nils Norman, Marco Polo, and Colin Ripley, as well as a panel discussion led by d.talks’ Amery Calvelli.
eventbrite.ca

Art Sale

May 6 & 7, 2017, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Room 315, Faculty Centre, Mount Royal University (4825 Mount Royal Gate SW)
Free

Check out unique art by Calgary artists at Myrna, Wayne, and Susan Haglund including paintings, prints, and textile sculptures. Free parking on Sunday.
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Mount Pleasant Potters’ Guild Annual Spring Sale

May 7, 2017, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Triwood Community Centre (2244 Chicoutimi Dr. NW)
Free

Celebrate Mother’s Day with over 30 local artists displaying pottery in all its forms. Free admission and parking.
calgarypottery.com

Replicating Artifacts

May 7, 2017, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free

Contemporary Kids continues with this look at Morehshin Allahyari’s sculptures allowing participants to recreate a famous sculpture out of wax. Each iteration of this monthly series focuses on one specific artwork, artist, or theme found in Contemporary Calgary’s current exhibitions and welcomes families for a brief tour followed by an engaging activity developed specifically for children aged five to 12.
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ASSEMBLY Art Show & Sale

May 8 – 28, 2017
Main Floor Hall Gallery, cSPACE King Edward (172 29th Ave. SW)
Free

Check out this diverse display of artists and mediums at cSPACE King Edward. Showcasing work of students to advance career artists, explore illustrative, digital, mixed and watercolour media.
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Paper Works

May 10 – June 17, 2017
VivianeArt (1114 11th St. SW)
Free

Works on paper hold a central place in the practices of contemporary artists. In this two-person exhibition, Erik Olson and Winnie Truong demonstrate the expressive potential of printmaking and drawing techniques. Check out the show at its opening reception from 6:00 to 9:00pm on May 12. Both artists will be in attendance with brief remarks slated for 7:00pm.
vivianeart.gallery

PEARL: Celebrating 30 years of Children’s Art

May 11 – 25, 2017
Municipal Complex Atrium (800 Macleod Tr. SE)
Free

Join the Wildflower Arts Centre for his celebration of art and young artists. Swing by and check out the show at its opening reception, 5:30 to 7:00pm on May 11.
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Models of Resistance

May 11 – June 10, 2017
Herringer Kiss Gallery (709A 11th Ave. SW)
Free

Angela Grossmann’s new works address the role performance plays in the assumption and persistence of gender identity. This Vancouver-based visual artist is known for her paintings and collages, and has been the subject of more than 20 solo shows in Canada, the U.S. Europe, and Japan.
herringerkissgallery.com

The Group Art Society of Calgary Spring Show & Sale

May 13, 2017, 10:00am – 4:00pm
St. Peter’s Anglican Church (903 75th Ave. SW)
Free

Join The Group Art Society of Calgary and meet its artists at this show and sale featuring original paintings in a variety of mediums, sizes, and prices. Donations for the Calgary Food Bank are gratefully accepted.
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National Gallery Hop

May 13, 2017, 11:00 – 5:00pm
Multiple locations
Free

Go on a gallery hop with the Calgary members of the Art Dealers Association of Canada. With talks scheduled at seven local galleries, you won’t want to miss this one.
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Bee Kingdom Glass Mother’s Day Sale

May 13 & 14, 2017, 12:00 – 5:00pm
Bee Kingdom (427 22nd Ave. NW)
Free, family-friendly

Enjoy Mother’s Day with Bee Kingdom in its hot glass studio. Treat your mother with something pretty and handmade including colourful glasses, flower vases, and much more.
beekingdomglass.com

Formulating Landscape

May 13 – 31, 2017
Wallace Galleries (500 5th Ave. SW)
Free

Born in Portsmouth, Simon Andrew is a Canadian romantic-realism painter. Check out his new solo show at the opening reception from 2:00 to 5:00pm on May 13 as part of the Art Dealers Association of Canada’s National Gallery Hop. An artist talk is scheduled for 4:15pm.
wallacegalleries.com

Brad Woodfin & Zane Wilcox

May 13 – June 17, 2017
Christine Klassen Gallery (200, 321 50th Ave. SE)
Free

With two new shows to see at the Christine Klassen Gallery, it’s the prefect time to explore this space. Brad Woodfin’s oil paintings of carefully rendered creatures offer a contemplative exploration of the animal world and Zane Wilcox uses the ziggurat as a starting point for investigation and sculpture. Check out both artists’ work at the reception from 1:00 to 4:00pm on May 13 with a talk scheduled for 2:00pm.
christineklassengallery.com

Artist Talk with Adad Hannah

May 17, 2017, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
$8 – $10

Join internationally renowned artist Adad Hannah as he speaks about his artwork and project The Raft of the Medusa: Saint-Louis, currently on view at Glenbow.
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Behind the Scenes: Inuit Art and Design

May 17 – 19, 2017
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
$18 – $20

Join Glenbow’s Indigenous Studies curator Joanne Schmidt and art collection technician Travis Lutley to explore a wide range of objects and artifacts that reflect the rich interdisciplinary visuals of Inuit culture.
glenbow.org

Out for Lunch Tour

May 18, 2017, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free – $5

Join curator Sarah Todd for this in-depth look at Adad Hannah’s video and photography based work, The Raft of the Medusa (Saint-Louis).
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Grad Show 2017

May 18 – 27, 2017
Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Alberta College of Art + Design (1407 14th Ave. NW)
Free and open to the public

View the work of Alberta College of Art + Design’s class of 2017 and discover the work of nearly 200 graduating artists and designers.
acad.ca

Urban Utopia in Film

May 25, 2017, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free

Contemporary Calgary continues its Late Night Thursday programming with a screening of Urbanized—a feature-length documentary about the design of cities. Founding partner of Bioi Design + Build, Jordan Allen, will be on hand to discuss the challenges that face the city in terms of creating and sustaining the urban realm in Calgary.
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The Journals of Knud Rasmussen

May 25, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
$8 – $10

The second feature in Zacharias Kunuk’s Fast Runner Trilogy, The Journals of Knud Rasmussen portrays the lives of the last great Inuit shaman and his daughter. Presented in Inuktitut and Danish with English subtitles, join Glenbow for this film screening.
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Absolutely Art

May 26 & 27, 2017
Earl Grey Golf Course (6540 20th St. SW)
Free

Join the Calgary Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists for this exhibition and sale featuring original work in a variety of mediums, styles, and sizes.
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Painting En Pointe

May 26 – 28, 2017
Alberta Ballet Studios, Nat Christie Centre (141 18th Ave. SW)
Free

A unique celebration where visual art meets performing art—don’t miss this celebration of Alberta Ballet’s 50th anniversary and see the Alberta Ballet Studios transformed into a gallery featuring Artist Gordon Milne’s collection of dancer paintings.
albertaballet.com

Summer Exhibitions Opening Reception

May 27, 2017, 6:00 – 10:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free

Celebrate three shows at the Esker Foundation—Jason de Haan’s Oh for eyes! At night we dream of eyes!, Anton Vidokle’s The Communist Revolution Was Caused By The Sun, and Laura Dutton’s Night Comes On. Admission is free and all are welcome.
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Adagio in G Minor: A Lullaby

May 27 – June 24, 2017
The New Gallery (208 Centre St. SE)
Free

Holding a BFA in Painting from the Alberta College of Art and Design and an MFA in Intermedia from the University of Regina, here’s a great chance to check out the work of Tammy McGrath. The show explores the relationship between truth, knowledge, and history, and includes a 30 foot scroll listing every censored book that the artist has come across to date. An opening reception is scheduled for May 27 at 8:00pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.
thenewgallery.org

Looking Into Windows: Artist Talk with Laura Dutton

May 28, 2017, 1:00 – 2:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free

In conjunction with the exhibition Night Comes On, join Laura Dutton to hear about her work and its relationship to notions of urban voyeurism.
eventbrite.ca

Oh for eyes! At night we dream of eyes!

May 28 – August 27, 2017
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free

Calgary-based artist Jason de Haan has an interest in proposing and undertaking projects where environments, natural conditions, and massive time scales complete, animate, and determine his multidisciplinary practice.
eskerfoundation.com

The Communist Revolution Was Caused By The Sun

May 28 – August 27, 2017
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free

The second film of Anton Vidokle’s trilogy on Russian cosmism looks at the solar cosmology of Soviet biophysicist, Alexander Chizhevsky. Shot in Kazakhstan, where Chizhevsky was imprisoned and later exiled, the film introduces research into the impact of solar emissions on human sociology, psychology, politics, and economics.
eskerfoundation.com

Open Studio: Megan Dyck

May 29, 2017, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Calgary Allied Arts Foundation (503, 319 10th Ave. SW)
Free

Head to the CAAF studio to experience an installation created by current artist in residence Megan Dyck. Dyck has used her residency to construct a new body of sculptural works to create a composite exhibition.
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Art of Our Times

May 31, 2017, 12:00pm
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free

Held over the lunch hour, this monthly series invites Calgarians working in the downtown core to enjoy their lunch at Contemporary Calgary. Listen to an intriguing talk tied to an ongoing exhibition.
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Ongoing Exhibitions

Bénédicte Dussère & ckuzmanovich

Until May 6, 2017
Christine Klassen Gallery (200, 321 50th Ave. SE)
Free

With two new shows at the end of March, make sure you swing by Christine Klassen Gallery to see pieces from French artist Bénédicte Dussère as well as Calgary-based artist Chris Kuzmanovich.
christineklassengallery.com

Scott Everingham

Until May 6, 2017
VivianeArt (1114 11th St. SW)
Free

Scott Everingham’s paintings exist between abstraction and storytelling showcasing a thoughtful process involving the manipulation of colour, gesture, and the physicality of paint.
vivianeart.gallery

Shell of Light

Until May 6, 2017
Herringer Kiss Gallery (709A 11th Ave. SW)
Free

Dennis Ekstedt explores the luminosity of illuminated landscapes and light phenomena in paintings that resemble living organisms. An opening reception is slated for April 6 from 5:00 to 8:00pm with Ekstedt expected to be in attendance.
herringerkissgallery.com

Current Interloper

Until May 6, 2017
HK Incubator Project Space, Herringer Kiss Gallery (709A 11th Ave. SW)
Free

Pilar Mehlis explores the effect of immigration on an individual by juxtaposing elements of natural and human migrations in her work.
herringerkissgallery.com

Earthlings: Roger Aksadjuak, Shuvinai Ashoona, Pierre Aupilardjuk, Shary Boyle, Jessie Kenalogak, John Kurok, Leo Napayok

Until May 7, 2017
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free

From distinct cultural and geographical positions—Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet, Kinngait/Cape Dorset, Qamani’tuaq/Baker Lake, and Toronto—the artists in Earthlings share an intuitive and labour-intensive approach to materials and narrative imagery. Organized by Shary Boyle at the invitation of the Esker Foundation, explore their detailed figures, transformations and transmogrifications bridging reality and myth.
eskerfoundation.com

Ideas in Colour

Until May 10, 2017
Wallace Galleries (500 5th Ave. SW)
Free

This solo exhibition by artist Jennifer Hornyak highlights her distinctly textured paintings that blur the line between figuration and abstraction. Through colour and texture, Hornyak builds a structure for each painting that emanates a still life motif.
wallacegalleries.com

The Future Behind Us

Until May 13, 2017
TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary (2009 10th Ave. SW)
Free

Romeo Gongora’s The Future Behind Us documents the outcomes of an experiment in collective forms of creation that took place in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 2013. The project intended to develop local structures of self-production through the collaborative building of a science fiction film with a group of young Congolese artists.
truck.ca

TimeTraveller™

Until May 13, 2017
TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary (2009 10th Ave. SW)
Free

TimeTraveller™ is a nine-part machinima by Skawennati that tells the story of Hunter, an angry young Mohawk man living in the 22nd century.
truck.ca

Mingling with flowers panthers’ eyes

Until May 13, 2017
The New Gallery (208 Centre St. SE)
Free

The New Gallery presents geetha thurairajah’s new solo show that moves digital paintings into the physical realm. Mingling with flowers panthers’ eyes showcases a series of paintings that reflect complex and contradictory emotions that result from diaspora.
thenewgallery.org

Mind The Gap: BFA Honours Graduating Exhibition

Until May 19, 2017
Nickle Gallery, University of Calgary (410 University Ct. NW)
Free

Featuring four artists unified under the title and the theme, the University of Calgary Department of Art presents this graduating exhibition for the BFA Honours program.
nickle.ucalgary.ca

Echolalias

Until May 19, 2017
Stride Gallery (1006 Macleod Trail SE)
Free

An exhibition of work from emerging artists, the pieces in Echolalias explore repetition, echoes, and redirections.
stride.ab.ca

David Altmejd: The Vessel

Until May 22, 2017
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
With admission

Organized by the National Gallery of Canada, see internationally renowned artist David Altmejd’s enormous crystalline sculpture—a piece that suggests an elaborate act of creation caught in suspended animation.
glenbow.org

Canadian Stories: The View From Here

Until May 22, 2017
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
With admission

In response to Canada 150, Glenbow uses historical, modern, and contemporary art from its collection to explore iconic Canadian themes from a western perspective.
glenbow.org

Recent Acquisitions

Until May 22, 2017
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
With admission

Learn the stories behind the fascinating artwork and objects that were added to Glenbow’s collection in 2016.
glenbow.org

Adad Hannah: The Raft of the Medusa

Until May 22, 2017
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
With admission

First in the new three-part exhibition series, Artefacts: Contemporary Moving Images, don’t miss your chance to explore Adad Hannah’s The Raft of the Medusa (Saint-Louis)—a tableau that references the historical painting, Theodore Gericault’s Le Radeau de la Méduse.
glenbow.org

The Intricacies of People

Until May 27, 2017
Alberta Printmakers (4025 4th St. SE)
Free

Featuring 20 colour etchings from British painter and printmaker Robert Pugh, this is a show fans of the medium won’t want to miss.
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Getting on the Map: The Emergence of Calgary, Post-Confederation

Until May 28, 2017
Lougheed House (707 13th Ave. SW)
With admission

Using a combination of reproductions and originals of early maps, photographs, and artwork about Southern Alberta, Lougheed House shares the fascinating story of the Calgary frontier as it was in the 1870s and 1880s, more than 30 years before Alberta joined Canada.
lougheedhouse.com

Diverse Synergy

Until May 30, 2017
The Peanut Gallery, Fluevog Shoes (207 8th Ave. SW)
Free

Caprices Fine Arts heads to The Peanut Gallery for this Canada 150 celebration featuring contemporary artists illustrating how individual, unique perspectives can combine to create a synergetic event. Look for various participating artists offering free lunch hour demonstrations and workshops at the gallery on May 2, 10, and 24.
capricesfinearts.com

Traffic

Until June 3, 2017
Jarvis Hall Gallery (333B 36th Ave. SE)
Free

Featuring a variety of new paintings created over the past year, join Jarvis Hall Gallery and check out this solo exhibition with Calgary artist, Mark Dicey.
jarvishallgallery.com

Monochrome

Until June 10, 2017
In-Definite Arts Society (8038 Fairmount Dr. SE)
Free

Featuring work from 18 In-Definite Arts & Artistic Expressions artists exploring the theme of black and white, check out the show at its reception from 6:30 to 8:30pm on May 25. In-Definite Arts is a non-profit community organization that supports adults with developmental disabilities to express themselves through art, and although its shows are usually bright and colourful, Monochrome offers a unique opportunity to explore the composition, value, contrast, and form.
indefinitearts.com

Lobby Art Gallery Exhibit: Emerging Artists

Until June 24, 2017
Pumphouse Theatres (2140 Pumphouse Ave. SW)
Free

Head to the Pumphouse and check out this showcase of 22 pieces by nine talented emerging Albertan visual artists. The exhibit features the work of Leslie Gallacher, Jodi Fuhrer, Cindy Collins, Tara Johnson, Laura McManus, Patricia Meszaros, Larissa Hauck, Elise Mullen, and Sophia Lengle. All pieces are for sale with 100% of the price going to the artists.
pumphousetheatre.ca

Utopia Factory

Until July 30, 2017
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free

This sesquicentennial exhibition in three parts explores architectural monuments and the urban fabric in the formation of national and civic identity.
contemporarycalgary.com

Research Station

Until July 30, 2017
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free

Part of Utopia Factory and curated by Lisa Baldissera and Nate McLeod, Research Station is a two-part project that features existing and research-based work by Mark Clintberg and Nils Norman as they each develop new projects for the future home of Contemporary Calgary—the Centennial Planetarium. An opening on May 4 will feature the second part of Norman’s reflection of the Centennial Planetarium as a work in progress.
contemporarycalgary.com

Coins of Jesus: Money and Religion in the Ancient World

Until August 18, 2017
Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary (410 University Ct. NW)
Free

Coins of Jesus highlights the Judeo-Christian coinage in the Numismatics Collection of Nickle Galleries. Covering a unique geographic area and a historic period of cultural and ideological diversity, the exhibition presents Jewish, Judeo-Roman, Roman Christian and Byzantine coinage, concluding with Islamic and Medieval money.
nickle.ucalgary.ca

North of Ordinary: The Arctic Photographs of Geraldine and Douglas Moodie

Until September 10, 2017
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
With admission

Presented in conjunction with the Exposure Photography Festival, this exhibition celebrates the remarkable creative partnership of Geraldine Moodie, western Canada’s first professional female photographer, and her husband Douglas, a senior officer of the North-West Mounted Police.
glenbow.org