The Program
The Northeast Mini Galleries include 13 mini galleries, including 10 located at different community associations and three located downtown inside the Calgary Municipal Building’s atrium. The mini galleries feature 39 artists throughout the year — each exhibition showcases 13 local artists, selected by a local curator, for a four-month period.
The current Northeast Mini Galleries exhibition was curated by Mao Kun Chen and the theme is “Threads of Belonging.” The artworks are on display from March through June 2025.
Curatorial Statement
Threads of Belonging — Art from Northeast Calgary
As a first-generation immigrant, I’ve experienced firsthand the importance of finding a sense of belonging in a new city. Northeast Calgary, with its vibrant neighbourhoods, has become a place where newcomers and longtime residents alike can feel at home. The theme of this Northeast Mini Gallery Exhibition is “Belonging” and celebrates the connections that unite us — through shared stories, cultural roots and the creative expressions of artists who are linked to this dynamic community.
The selected artworks reflect a range of experiences and perspectives. Some of the artists have lived in northeast Calgary for years, while others are connected to its neighbourhoods through their work, culture or memories. Together, their pieces create a rich tapestry of stories about identity, resilience and the relationships we build with our surroundings.
Many of the works draw inspiration from personal experiences, cultural heritage and the local community. Karen Thompson’s piece sheds light on Indigenous perspectives through traditional beadwork that fosters understanding, dialogue and cultural representation. Anvita Bhatti’s artwork celebrates South Asian culture and beauty, resonating with the diverse population of the area. Others, like Firuze Avci’s reflection on migration, explore the journey of finding home and belonging, a theme that resonates deeply with northeast Calgary’s multicultural identity.
The Mini Galleries provide a unique opportunity to showcase these pieces within the neighbourhoods they reflect. For example, Jamie Kim’s journey finds a fitting home in Winston Heights-Mountview, while Gurpreet Brring’s Garden of Trust celebrates themes of community, trust and collaboration in Falconridge/Castleridge. These thoughtful placements create a connection between the art and its environment, inviting viewers to see their own community in a new light. Phoenix Ning’s Me and My Bestest offers an intimate perspective on identity and relationships in Beddington Heights Park, providing visitors with a moment of reflection and connection to their surroundings.
At its core, this exhibition is about connection — between the artists, the neighbourhoods and the people who call northeast Calgary home. It celebrates the stories that make each community unique while reminding us of the shared threads that unite us all. I hope this exhibit inspires conversations, reflections and a deeper appreciation for the vibrant spirit of northeast Calgary.
— Mao Kun Chen
Artists
The participating artists, artworks and community locations are:
Blushing Beauties
2024
Digital Art
Location: Marlborough Park Community Association
I am Annie Bhatti, the creative mind behind Anniez Art Beatz™, an artist and graphic designer passionate about transforming ideas into visually captivating creations. With a flair for vibrant visuals and versatile creativity, I specialize in hand-drawn and digital illustrations, greeting cards, digital branding and graphic design. My artistic process blends mixed media, ranging from traditional mediums like coloured pencils, pens and acrylics, to modern digital tools. Each creation reflects my dedication to crafting visually striking pieces that resonate with diverse audiences, bringing me profound creative joy and emotional fulfillment.
Blushing Beauties is a digital artwork that celebrates the delicate charm of nature. Inspired by pink peonies captured in one of Calgary’s stunning gardens, this piece exudes elegance through a captivating watercolour effect achieved with graphic design tools. The work draws upon my admiration for natural beauty and my love for experimenting with textures and colours to evoke emotion and connection.
The title Blushing Beauties embodies the gentle blush and timeless grace of these exquisite flowers, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a world of natural beauty and poetic enchantment. The interplay of soft hues and intricate details aims to create a sense of peace and wonder, reminding us of the quiet joys found in our surroundings. Each petal tells a story of serenity and elegance, leaving a lasting impression on those who pause to appreciate its splendour.
X: @anniezartbeatz
Instagram: @anniezartbeatz
A Place to Land
2023
Ceramics
Location: Municipal Building Atrium
My installation explores migration, belonging and the strength found in unity. Ceramic birds symbolize the journey of migrants who leave their homelands, embodying the emotional struggles and resilience needed to seek freedom and build a new life.
This work builds on my interactive ceramic installation, A Reflection on Migration and Belonging, curated by Nurgül Rodriguez and displayed at Contemporary Calgary as part of the Reimagining Inclusion exhibition. For this Northeast Mini Galleries exhibition, I have rearranged the piece to shift the focus from movement to permanence and the courage required to create a home.
The installation emphasizes the importance of community in fostering a sense of belonging, reminding us that home is not just a physical space but also a network of relationships that provide support and safety. Through this work I aim to inspire reflection on how we cultivate belonging and find stability in unfamiliar environments.
www.firuzeavci.art
Instagram: @theclaybenders
Facebook: @theclaybenders
Harmony in Bloom
2024
Dried leaves and paper collage
Location: Municipal Building Atrium
Harmony in Bloom represents the rich diversity of Northeast Calgary illustrated through a vibrant field of flowers under a bright blue sky. Each flower symbolizes the unique individuals from diverse backgrounds who form our community, showcasing our collective beauty and strength. The expansive blue sky above symbolizes the endless opportunities available to us each day. Together, this artwork celebrates the unity and potential of Northeast Calgary, inviting viewers to appreciate the colourful tapestry of our community.
Garden of Trust
2024
Paper collage
Location: Falconridge/Castleridge Community Association
Garden of Trust reflects the community spirit in Northeast Calgary. Through interlocked hands, vibrant florals and scenes of shared spaces, the artwork celebrates the values of diversity, support and mutual care that define our neighbourhoods. Each element in this piece represents the different aspects of life in our community, illustrating how we grow stronger and more vibrant together. Garden of Trust is an invitation to appreciate beauty of our collective journey and strength found in our unity.
Being a Bird
2023
Clay sculpture
Location: Crossroads Community Association
Being a Bird is more than just a series of artworks for me; it’s a reflection of the human spirit’s resilience and longing for freedom. Through my imaginative creations, I invite viewers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and reflection. Just like birds navigating through life’s challenges, we too face obstacles and uncertainties. Yet, like those birds, we persist with hope and determination.
My artwork speaks to the universal desire to transcend limitations and embrace the boundless possibilities of the imagination. By participating in this public art exhibition, I hope to spread the wings of my art far and wide, reaching individuals who may not have encountered traditional gallery spaces. Let’s soar together through the boundless sky of creativity and imagination, embracing the beauty of being a bird in this vast artistic landscape.
A Way Through Here
2024
Mixed media on raw natural canvas
Location: Winston Heights Mountainview Community
My process begins outdoors as I explore new hikes in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. I aim to capture the essence of these landscapes to re-imagine our mountain backyard in a contemporary way. One way I do this is by using a limited but central colour to convey the mood and features of a scene. With the visual and emotional inspiration in mind, I use various mediums, primarily acrylic, on raw canvas to depict an abstracted scene. Combining realistic imagery and elements like sand to transport the viewer to the experience.
This winter scene was inspired by my hike in Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park. It is part of a series titled Stillness in Motion. This series juxtaposes the stillness of snow with the powerful flow of water in the canyon. In this contrast, I felt a strange sense of contentment and peace. As such, the green and white palette is intended to bring a feeling of calmness, just as I felt in the moment.
Instagram: @jamiejinsookim
MMIW
2024
Hand beaded makeup brushes and miniature fabric ribbon skirt
Location: Municipal Building Atrium
MMIW — what does it mean? It originally meant Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Over the years, G2SP have been added to the four letters because Indigenous girls, two-spirit and men (P) have also gone missing or been murdered.
Statistically, out of all the racial groups, Indigenous people hold the highest ratings of missing and/or murdered. Hence the need for a strong movement such as this.
I have incorporated symbols on my makeup brushes that MMIW has adopted over the years to recognize the cause. The red handprint represents the murderer’s bloody handprint from their misdoings. The letters spelling out MMIW are beaded on the eyeshadow brush. The final design, the spoolie, is beaded in a red jingle dress design. This is the latest symbol adopted by the MMIW Movement. In powwows, the jingle dress is worn for healing — a process deeply needed by the victims’ friends and families.
Even though Indigenous people use May 5, to honour and recognize our missing and murdered relatives, this date is not limited to natives only. Anyone can show their support, either by showing up at a rally or event, wearing a ribbon skirt or donating to a MMIW society.
TikTok: @n8vvibes
Harmony with Self and Nature
2023
Digital painting using procreate, printed on canvas
Location: Martindale Community Association
Harmony with Self and Nature focuses on the concept of self-reflection and holistic coexistence between humanity and nature while showing the beautiful interplay of natural elements all around us.
Komal is a visual artist from India with a diverse background in graphic design, marketing and fashion technology. Her passion for art started more than 20 years ago. Her illustrations are inspired by her community and her art style is not bounded by a certain technique or medium, which gives her the power to create diverse artworks.
Now based in Mohkinstsis/Calgary, Komal created Lovepaintlife Studio to share her artistic passion with the world and offer mural painting services to local businesses and private residents. As a muralist she uses vibrant colours and combines her understanding of the user experience and brand values to create memorable artwork in the physical spaces.
www.lovepaintlife.com
Instagram: @lovepaintlife
Whispers of Winter
2023
Digital illustration
Location: The Livingston Community Association
Liss Febrero is a Chilean Canadian digital illustrator who has lived in Calgary for the past 10 years. Her artwork is deeply influenced by her Latin American roots and draws inspiration from the immense power of femininity and the beauty of nature. She creates art that highlights both vulnerability and strength, using an intimate style that allows viewers to see themselves and share their stories. Fostering a sense of connection through her work. Liss’s vibrant colour palette reflects her cultural heritage, and she strives to capture moments of resilience and empowerment in her pieces.
Whispers of Winter is an illustration that shows the quiet and peaceful feeling of winter. It features a woman wrapped in a big, warm scarf with her eyes closed, showing a moment of inner peace. The artwork invites people to enjoy the beauty of winter and its quiet moments.
Instagram: @lissfebrero
Me and My Bestest
2024
Digital illustration
Location: Beddington Heights (Park) Community Association
Phoenix (Kefei) Ning is a student at Alberta University of the Arts, specializing in graphic design and exploring various artistic disciplines. She primarily focuses on the balance and composition of colour and shape to create visually engaging pieces. Her narratives are straightforward, reflecting her personal feelings and aesthetic sensibilities. Drawing inspiration from both everyday life and her vivid imagination, Phoenix captures the world as she perceives it. While digital art is her main medium, her curiosity and passion for artistic expression drive her to explore others. She believes that each medium offers a unique lens through which to interpret and share her perspective of the world.
Tulips
2024
Acrylic ink on wood panel
Location: Temple Community Association
Sarah believes that small, meaningful choices can be combined for larger impact. This is a result of living with a chronic illness for over three decades. She knows that even a small change can create big differences; guiding viewers to relate to the artwork in a positive manner. She believes this insight can help artwork within the public realm create meaningful conversations and spark positivity. This influences her colour palettes and sense of scale in her artwork designs by creating bold ranges of colour and large-scale views of small objects.
The Tigerstedt
2024
Photo on archival hahnemuhle photorag paper
Location: Thorncliffe/Greenview Community Association
The Tigerstedt is a piece that began as a double-exposure photograph. The flowers inside the T-shaped sign are double exposed on film, taken from the flowerpots in the same location as the sign. I wanted to honour this sign and location because part of the building was built for a photography studio for Albert Tigerstedt, a local photographer, in the 1930s. I marvel at the sign’s Modernist elements, that it still exists, and I wanted to create a piece that centres on it. The floral patterns in the background act as a symbolic appreciation of the inverted T-shaped sign and history of the building.
Słavek Pytraczyk is a Polish-born interdisciplinary artist based in Calgary (Mohkinstsis), Alberta. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alberta University of the Arts. His practice spans across the mediums of film photography, painting, and graphic design, often showcasing themes of flux and impermanence. In 2024, he designed the banners for the Centre City Banners program and contributed to the Beltline’s 1905 Project, which commemorates historical architecture in the core of the city. His work has been exhibited locally and internationally.
Słavek Pytraczyk Visual Artist
www.slavekpytraczyk.com
Evelyn
2023
Multimedia installation
Location: Rundle Community Association
I am a visual artist who creates figurative drawings, etchings and paintings that capture glimpses of everyday life. I utilize expressive marks and unusual viewpoints to delicately define my compositions and create a visual narrative that describes the character and story of my subjects. I strive to create art that engages the viewer with familiar themes, allowing them to connect through their own personal experiences or ideas.
My Northeast Mini Gallery artwork is titled Evelyn and was inspired by a poem written by a friend, which is in the wallpaper backdrop. Evelyn is a simple, charming, elderly lady who enjoys the quaint ritual of afternoon tea. She symbolizes a friendly invitation to neighbours to enjoy teatime together.
Northeast Calgary is a multicultural community with people from many different backgrounds. Tea is also a multicultural beverage and its enjoyment is universal. Drinking tea always involves a little ritual where the tea is steeped and then poured into a special cup. It can be enjoyed alone but is more pleasant when savoured in the company of friends. I believe almost everyone would agree that a cup of tea with neighbours is a lovely way for people to form friendships.
History
The Northeast Mini Galleries program started in 2023 as part of the City of Calgary’s Northeast Public Art Initiative and successfully transitioned to Calgary Arts Development. This initiative brings several public art projects to Calgary’s northeast communities, supports local artists, enhances northeast neighbourhoods and reflects the people who live in the communities where the art will be located.
Are you interested in participating in our public art program? Learn more about current opportunities here.