Free This Week
May continues with great arts events you don’t want to miss! This week, hear from powerhouse poets who are Canadian literary laureates, join a conversation about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in art, explore an “ARTrageous” art sale and take in an exhibition made entirely of LEGO® before it’s gone. Read on for the full roundup!
Building Black Civilizations: Journey of 2,000 Ships
Until May 12, 2024
Glenbow at The Edison (2nd Floor, 150 9 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
In this exhibition, artist Ekow Nimako explores what might have been when ruler Abu Bakr II chose to abdicate his throne and set out across the Atlantic. Using LEGO® to recreate epic possibilities, Nimako creates a narrative of Black civilizations and imagines liberated futures.
glenbow.org
Prashant Michael John
May 8, 2024, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1 St. SE)
Free to attend
To suit the beautiful resonance of the Cathedral’s Gothic architecture, Prashant performs his meditative compositions using bamboo flute and various blown and plucked and percussion instruments, backed by hand-crafted sound textures and ambient percussion, in this lunch-hour concert.
proartssociety.ca
From HAL 9000 to ChatGPT: The lives and failures of AI systems
May 8, 2024, 5:30pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
What are some of the considerations that emerge from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in art? Join Kathryn Blair and Bryan Cera for a conversation moderated by Muriel N. Kahwagi on the place that AI occupies in our lives, and its implications across different sectors and forms of labour.
contemporarycalgary.com
How We Gather Matters — Book Launch
May 9, 2024, 5 – 7pm
Calgary Central Library (800 3 St. SE)
Free to attend, RSVP required
Welcome to the official book launch of How We Gather Matters: Sustainable Event Planning for Purpose and Impact by Leor Rotchild. Join him for an exciting, family-friendly event filled with musical entertainment, insightful discussions, interactive displays and more!
eventbrite.ca
Music to My Eyes — Artist Talk and Reception
May 9, 2024, 6 – 8pm
Dominion Gallery YYC (78 9 St. NE)
Free to attend
Kristen Powell of Resonance Art Studio presents her most recent collection of abstract soundwave art pieces made with alcohol inks, wood burning, and digital and mixed media methods. Don’t miss the opening!
eventbrite.ca
Inspired Curiosity — Reception
May 9, 2024, 5 – 7pm
cSPACE Marda Loop (1721 29 Ave. SW)
Free to attend, RSVP required
Inspired Curiosity showcases work created by participants in the ArtRecruits program, an art-based workplace skill building program that teaches employment skills in the art studio rather than a classroom. Learn about the program, hear from the artists and purchase some beautiful artwork at their reception!
eventbrite.ca
The GRAND Poet Laureates of the Hemingway
May 9, 2024, 7 – 9pm
Hemingway Room, Ramsay Design Centre (1204 20 Ave. SE)
Free to attend, RSVP required
This high-profile poetry event celebrates the accomplishments of three Canadian Poet Laureates, one of the highest honours in the discipline. Featuring readings by (and possibly discussions with) Peter Hrastovec, Micheline Maylor-Kovitz and Wakefield Brewster
thegrandyyc.ca
Open Studio for 55+
May 10, 2024, 1 – 4pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
Contemporary Calgary’s Open Studio for 55+ on Fridays in May invites participants to bring projects they are currently engaged in, or ideas and materials for projects, for an opportunity to work with the support of peers and a facilitator with a background in visual art.
contemporarycalgary.com
Inglewood Night Market
May 10, 2024, 5 – 10pm
Inglewood (10 Ave. & 10 St. SE)
Free to explore
The Inglewood Night Market is a modern market with locally sourced and handmade vendors selling diverse goods. Check out and support curated local artisans, makers and small businesses, live music and more!
inglewoodnightmarket.ca
Freehand Spring 2024 Launch Party
May 10, 2024, 6 – 8pm
Memorial Park Library (2nd Floor, 1221 2 St. SW)
Free to attend, RSVP required
Freehand Books celebrates four new works from four talented writers. Join them in the Alexander Calhoun Salon for readings from Edmontonians Catherine Owen and Jasmina Odor, Calgarian Marion Douglas and Ottawan Sara Power.
eventbrite.ca
Fine Art Show
May 10 & 11, 2024
Strathcona Community Association (277 Strathcona Dr. SW)
Free to explore
Check out a fine art show presenting the work of several Calgary professional artists including original paintings, glasswork, pottery, jewelry and more. Both visitors and artists look forward to this show with anticipation!
stateofartyyc.com
Eau Claire Market Farewell Celebration
May 11, 2024, 10am – 4pm
Eau Claire Market (200 Barclay Parade SW)
Free to attend
Join Eau Claire Market for a heartfelt farewell as the mall celebrates 30 years of memories. From vibrant markets to cultural performances and interactive art projects, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
eauclairemarket.com
Women! Life! Freedom!
May 11, 2024, 2:30 – 4:30pm
cSPACE Marda Loop (1721 29 Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Women! Life! Freedom! is a therapeutic art event curated for the Calgary Persian Community. Join Tara Vahab and Sepidar Yeganeh Farid as they hope to bring peace and joy by celebrating womanhood, life and freedom through art, songwriting, karaoke, dance, discussions and short creative activities.
eventbrite.ca
ArtRageous Art Show & Sale
May 11, 2024, 12 – 4pm
Park96 (14682 Parkland Blvd SE)
Free to explore
The Parkland Painting Collective (PPC) is a group of Calgary artists who meet weekly to paint together. They are delighted to share an abundance of original works in all sizes, featuring framed and unframed in various mediums including acrylic, oil, mixed media and watercolour.
facebook.com
Can You Feel Me Now?
May 11, 2024, 5pm
Social Science Building, University of Calgary (2nd floor, 618 Campus Place)
Free to attend
Join an artist talk with UCalgary Department of Communication, Media and Film’s filmmaker in residence, Michele Pearson Clarke, titled Can You Feel Me Now? – Affect, visuality and a black/queer documentary practice. Reception with complimentary food and drink to follow.
facebook.com
Contemporary Kids: Forest, Creature and Fairytale
May 12, 2024, 1 – 2:30pm or 3 – 4:30pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
Inspired by the trees weep, the mountain still, the bodies rust by Derek Liddington, this workshop invites kids to dive into the fairytale forest envisioned by Liddington and unleash creativity through hands-on activities with clay sculpting and planting.
contemporarycalgary.com
Luzzu
May 13, 2024, 6:30 – 9pm
Calgary Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free to attend, RSVP required
In Luzzu, a man risks everything to provide for his girlfriend by entering Malta’s black-market fishing industry. Check out this screening presented by the Calgary European Film Festival as part of the European Union Film Series!
calgarylibrary.ca
Antyx Youth Programming
Ongoing
Various venues
Free to participate
Antyx Community Arts invites youth ages 12 – 18 to participate in a number of their programs focused on providing safe spaces for creative expression including their mural projects, Youth Arts Action, The Film Lab and more!
antyx.ca
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.
