The Project
Calgary Arts Development is partnering with the National accessArts Centre (NaAC) for our Open Spaces program to exhibit artworks by NaAC members, foster artist development and increase the visibility of artists with disabilities in Calgary. This year-long partnership will see a rotation of different artists and exhibits in two window galleries downtown starting in summer 2023.
Since 2009, the Open Spaces program has provided exhibition space to local and regional artists while enlivening the Centre Street LRT platform on 7th Ave. between Centre Street and 1st St. SE. Two large display windows on the exterior of the Telus Convention Centre are updated with new exhibits regularly throughout the year.
Founded in 1975 as the In-Definite Arts Society, NaAC is Canada’s oldest and largest disability arts organization — and in 2020, became the country’s first multidisciplinary disability arts organization. Today, NaAC supports more than 350 artists living with developmental and/or physical disabilities through on-site studio supports and workshops, and an even broader community of Canadian artists with disabilities through immersive programs delivered online.
Current Exhibitions:
West Window Space
Anil Singh — Garden Impressions
Artist Statement:
On my neighbourhood walks, I love to stop and admire gardens. My garden at home bursts with beautiful colours every spring and summer. Our garden is very special to my dad — he’s turned nearly our entire yard into colourful patches of flowers. My drawings are garden diagrams and my ceramic sculptures are various flowers. I started making them to display in our garden, almost like decorations or markers. Just like the flowers, they add to the colourful arrangements.
Ceramics is a new medium for me and I wanted to get my hands a little dirty — just like being in the garden. When creating my flowers, I use different objects and impress them into the clay to make unique textures in each sculpture. Once this exhibition finishes, my sculptures will live outside, in the flower beds, at home with the rest of the flowers.
East Window Space
Alondra H. — Magic of the Northern Lights
Artist Statement:
I have been fascinated with the northern lights since I was young; everything about space and the universe excites me. A few years ago, I had the chance to travel to the Aurora Village near Yellowknife, which is one of the best places in the world to view the aurora borealis. That was the first time I saw the northern lights in real life and it stuck with me! They danced across the sky in different patterns, like translucent curtains. It was a fantastic experience that continues to influence my artwork.
I’ve been exploring Procreate to create new digital artwork. It’s a new process, but I can create so much work in small chunks of time, and all right on my iPad. In about two years, I’ve made a thousand digital works.
From 2023 to 2025, the Calgary Arts Development Open Spaces program will be partnering with different organizations who work with underserved artists in Calgary.
The Open Spaces program is not currently accepting applications.
For information on previous Open Spaces exhibits, visit the The City of Calgary webpage.