Exhibitions January 2017
Refresh your inspiration at these hot shows
A new year is a great time to recharge, refocus and refresh. And a great way to do that is to get out there and experience something new! January brings a great lineup of fresh visual arts programming as well as a last chance to see some amazing exhibitions.
Happy New Year 2017
January 2 – 24, 2017
Wallace Galleries (500 5th Ave. SW)
Free
Celebrate the new year with a selection of various gallery artists including Alain Attar, David Alexander, Robert Lemay, Brent Laycock, Andrew Lui, and Linda Nardelli, and more.
wallacegalleries.com
Bridges
January 3 – February 27, 2017
Bissett Art Gallery, Mount Royal University (4825 Mount Royal Gate SW)
Free
Traveling across Alberta, don’t miss the Calgary stop of this nod to The Alberta Society of Artists, a group that has fostered and promoted the arts in our province for the past 85 years.
albertasocietyofartists.com
Bemusement
January 5 – 28, 2017
Herringer Kiss Gallery (709A 11th Ave. SW)
Free
Emerging, Calgary-based artist Rhys Douglas Farrell continues his exploration into the optical potential of hard-edge colour combinations. Check out his work at the show’s opening reception from 5:00 to 8:00pm on January 5.
herringerkissgallery.com
Free First Thursday Night
January 5, 2017, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free
Start the new year right with Glenbow and Servus Credit Union. Free First Thursdays returns for 2017 allowing the museum to stay open late with free access the first Thursday of each month. And with the Beaver Hall exhibition closing at the end of January, you will certainly want to swing by.
facebook.com
God Love Brigus II
January 6 – February 18, 2017
Alberta Printmakers Gallery (4025 4th St. SE)
Free
Tara Cooper presents this representation of personal, historical and weather research collected during a three-week residency with Landfall Trust at a 200-year-old cliff side cottage in Brigus, Newfoundland. Join her for an artist talk at the opening reception January 6 at 7:00pm.
albertaprintmakers.com
Art Baby Tours
January 10, 2017, 10:00am
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free with admission
Bring your baby to Glenbow for a relaxed, infant-friendly one-hour tour of 1920s Modernism in Montreal: The Beaver Hall Group. Suitable for adults accompanied by children under two.
glenbow.org
Out for Lunch Tour: One New Work: M.N. Hutchinson
January 11, 2017, 12:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
$5
Get special insight and join One New Work curator Nancy Tousley for this exploration of M.N. Hutchinson’s The Last Longest Day.
glenbow.org
ArtWORK & Diversity: A Collaborative Art Exhibition
January 12, 2017, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Studio C (502, 237 8th Ave. SE)
Free
Check out this collaborative art exhibition between artists in Prospect Human Services’ Disability Services Program and various businesses around Calgary. The program itself was developed to raise awareness around hiring individuals with disabilities into the workplace and the exhibition gives an opportunity to appreciate the benefits of that diversity. The reception will also feature live music from I Am The Mountain.
facebook.com
The Spider, the Mistress, and The Tangerine
January 12, 2017, 7:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
$8 – $10
Presented as part of the Beaver Hall Film Series, see Louise Bourgeois’ The Spider, the Mistress, and The Tangerine, a comprehensive examination of the creative process of one of the most important and influential figures in the world of modern art.
glenbow.org
Correctional Service Canada Accommodation Guidelines: Mental Healthcare Facility 10m2 x 2
January 13 – February 18, 2017
The New Gallery (208 Centre St. SE)
Free
Sheena Hoszko’s new sculptural installation examines Correctional Service Canada’s (CSC) Federal Correctional Facilities Accommodation Guidelines, focusing on the section Mental Healthcare Facility. The installation also includes gallery-based text by Nasrin Himada. Check it out at the opening reception January 13 at 8:00pm. Other programming includes a special lecture at 2:00pm on January 17 at the Illingworth Kerr Gallery, ACAD (1407 14th Ave. NW) and a workshop at 1:00pm on January 21 at Loft 112 (112, 535 8th Ave. SE). These events are free and all are welcome.
thenewgallery.org
Aida Muluneh
January 13 – February 25, 2017
VivianeArt (1114 11th St. SW)
Free
Part of the 2017 Exposure Photography Festival, this exhibition is the first solo showing of Aida Muluneh’s work in Canada. Born in Ethiopia, she was first introduced to photography while attending Western Canada High School in Calgary. Her photographic practice focuses on the exploration of her multi-faceted identity through bold colour and striking graphics. Check out the opening reception from 6:00 to 9:00pm on January 13, curator remarks at 7:00pm.
vivianeart.gallery
Obsolescence
January 13 – March 4, 2017
TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary (2009 10th Ave. SW)
Free
Bringing together five interdisciplinary artists from different generations, practices, and parts of the country, this show explores varying notions of communication. A curatorial project by Mohammad Rezaei, Obsolescence features the work of Brynn Higgins-Stirrup, Colwyn Paddon, Justin Somjen, Jim Verburg, and Joy Walker. Check out the opening reception at 8:00pm on January 13 or an artist talk at 2:00pm on January 14.
truck.ca
Strange Loop
January 13 – March 4, 2017
Parkade Space, TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary (2009 10th Ave. SW)
Free
Kyle Whitehead’s Strange Loop is composed of a single length of un-split 8mm film spliced end-to-end with a half-twist to form a Möbius loop—a non-orientable geometric object with one single and continuous surface and boundary—and projected as a 16mm strip. See the piece at TRUCK’s opening reception at 8:00pm on January 13.
truck.ca
Semblance & Shadows Like Anxiety
January 13 – March 3, 2017
Stride Gallery (1006 Macleod Tr. SE)
Free
A joint exhibition, check out these concurrent shows from Liza Eurich and Colin Miner at Stride Gallery. Both works look at visibility in a broad context, switching between prominent and impressive displays to the desire for withdrawal and deferral. An opening reception is slated for 8:00pm on January 13.
stride.ab.ca
Interplay: An Arts Exchange with Studio Y Creations
January 16 – March 16, 2017
Optimist Gallery, In-Definite Arts Society (8038 Fairmount Dr. SE)
Free
Bringing together developmentally disabled and non-disabled artists, In-Definite Art Society and Studio Y Creations have teamed up to explore shared ideas. Check out the show at its reception running 6:30 to 8:30pm on January 19.
indefinitearts.com
Artist Talk: Tania Bruguera
January 19, 2017, 6:00pm
Glenbow Theatre, Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free
Internationally acclaimed artist Tania Bruguera, who is currently running for the Presidency of Cuba, will speak in Calgary about the role that art and artists can play in today’s society. Part of the Public Art and Social Practice workshop series jointly offered by the Illingworth Kerr Gallery (IKG) and The City of Calgary Public Art Program, the event is free and the theatre has a limited capacity, so guests are asked to arrive early to secure a seat.
calgary.ca
Art on the Rocks: The Beaver Hall Group
January 19, 2017, 7:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
$25 – $30
Grab a drink and join crafting genius Patrick Moskwa as he leads you through a 1920s Jazz Age-themed activity while DJ Myke Atkinson provides the music. The evening includes a cash bar.
glenbow.org
Earthlings: Roger Aksadjuak, Shuvinai Ashoona, Pierre Aupilardjuk, Shary Boyle, Jessie Kenalogak, John Kurok, Leo Napayok
January 21 – 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. Explore their detailed figures, transformations and transmogrifications bridging reality and myth. Organized by Shary Boyle at the invitation of the Esker Foundation, don’t miss the opening reception from 6:00 to 10:00pm on January 20.
eskerfoundation.com
Behind the Scenes Tours: Staff Picks
January 25 & 26, 2017
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
$18 – $20
Join Joanne Schmidt, Acting Curator Indigenous Studies, and discover some unexpected items deep in Glenbow’s storage areas. In celebration of Glenbow’s 50th anniversary, these tours showcase the amazing collection and the incredible staff.
glenbow.org
Valentines Group Show 2017
January 25 – February 15, 2017
Wallace Galleries (500 5th Ave. SW)
Free
In celebration of the heart, Wallace Galleries has put together some smaller works for that special someone including pieces from Simon Andrew, Gregory Hardy, Jennifer Hornyak, Robert Marchessault, Leslie Poole, and Walter Bachinski.
wallacegalleries.com
Beaver Hall Film Series: !Women Art Revolution
January 26, 2017, 7:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
$8 – $10
Don’t miss this revealing look at how the feminist art movement fused free speech with politics and radically transformed art and culture.
glenbow.org
Ongoing Exhibitions
Tyler Bright Hilton
Until January 7, 2017
VivianeArt (1114 11th St. SW)
Free
Canadian artist Tyler Bright Hilton is known for his expansive, ongoing fictional narrative that looks at anxiety, insecurity, and self-identity. Using an unusual character, Minmei Madelynne Pryor, he creates a coming-of-age story through related prints and drawings.
vivianeart.gallery
The Watchers – 20 Years Later
Until January 21, 2017
Jarvis Hall Gallery (333B 36th Ave. SE)
Free
A monumental exhibition by internationally acclaimed environmental artist, 20 years ago Peter von Tiesenhausen embarked on a journey across Canada with The Watchers—five enormous charred wooden figures originally exhibited on the rooftop of the Stride Art Gallery. They now return weathered with time, experience and history, and von Tiesenhausen retraces that artistic voyage he has been on ever since.
jarvishallgallery.com
Jasmine from Grasse
Until January 22, 2017
Project Space, Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free
Sans façon (Charles Blanc and Tristan Surtees) explores the sense of smell in this journey. Using an olfactory encounter, Sans façon has employed the help of Professor of Psychology, Glen Bodner, and Master Perfumer, Irene Schnell, to recreate the scent of a place and time drawn from individuals’ memories.
eskerfoundation.com
Body Dysmorphia
Until January 28, 2017
Upstairs Gallery, ArtPoint Gallery & Studio Society (1139 11th St. SE)
Free
Lizzie Carr’s solo show specifically focuses on body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)—a mental illness revolving around body image issues that results in depression and social phobia. These painted portraits were created as a visual interpretation of discomfort in one’s skin.
facebook.com
Put a Bird on It!
Until January 28, 2017
Christine Klassen Gallery (200, 321 50th Ave. SE)
Free
This group show keeps with Portlandia tradition and only includes works with birds included.
christineklassengallery.com
Pomp & Circumstance: Celebrations of the Fire Department Kind
Until January 29, 2017
Lougheed House (707 13th Ave. SW)
With admission
A celebration of the bonds between Calgary and the fire brigade that gave us ceremony, drama, pride and panache. Head to Lougheed House to explore 70 rarely seen items to admire and touch. From flags and photos to uniforms and bugles, these artifacts embody what connected our town to our firefighters from 1885 to 1939.
lougheedhouse.com
What Made You So Awfully Clever?
Until January 29, 2017
Pumphouse Theatres (2140 Pumphouse Ave. SW)
Free
Joyce Doolittle and Quenten Doolittle are partners in life and in creativity. Having supported one another in their careers in theatre and music, they now turn their attention to the visual arts. Presented by the Pumphouse Theatre and United Active Living Communities.
pumphousetheatre.ca
1920s Modernism in Montreal: The Beaver Hall Group
Until January 29, 2017
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
With admission
Glenbow showcases the Beaver Hall Group, a Montreal-based group of Canadian painters who met in the late 1910s while studying art at a school run by the Art Association of Montreal. The show looks at works by group members as well as by associated artists, demonstrating the group’s diversity-fuelled exchanges.
glenbow.org
Rough Country: The Strangely Familiar in mid-20th Century Alberta Art
Until February 5, 2017
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
With admission
With the postwar social climate, the perspectives of Maxwell Bates, Laura Evans Reid, John Snow, W.L. Stevenson and Dorothy Henzell Willis are at times uncanny and disturbing. The myth of Alberta being a land of prosperity and simple beauty is challenged by the works featured in this show.
glenbow.org
Connections: Calgary Arts Community Builders
Until February 5, 2017
Gallery 505 (505 8th Ave. SW)
Free
This year has been a retrospective year for Calgary Allied Arts Foundation and to celebrate they have highlighted a small selection of their artists that have become internationally recognized artists and influential community builders.
calgaryalliedartsfoundation.ca
Shannon Bool: The Eastern Carpet in the Western World Revisited
Until February 11, 2017
Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Alberta College of Art + Design (1407 14th Ave. NW)
Free
This incredible exhibition of Shannon Bool’s recent work revisits textile art from a contemporary art perspective. Her first solo exhibition in Calgary, this show takes its title from one originally staged at London’s Hayward Gallery in 1983.
acad.ca
VSVSVS: at the same time
Until February 19, 2017
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free
VSVSVS is a six-person collective and artist-run centre based out of a warehouse in the Portlands of Toronto. Not concerned with solid architecture, for VSVSVS fluctuations are meant to be ridden and not resisted. This site-responsive work has been created for Contemporary Calgary, as is made up of propositions for three floors including walls that expand, floors that refuse immobility and a giant vibrator. Please do touch!
contemporarycalgary.com
NEXT2016: Jayda Karsten & Lindsay Sorell
Until February 19, 2017
Contemporary Calgary (117 8th Ave. SW)
Free
Contemporary Calgary continues its NEXT2016 series in support of emerging practices. This show invites artists to investigate the potential of post-studio practices, exploring digital environments, mobility and ideas as artwork.
contemporarycalgary.com
M.N. Hutchinson: The Last Longest Day
Until February 26, 2017
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
With admission
Glenbow’s One New Work series completes with this, the third and final instalment. It focuses on Calgary artist M.N. Hutchinson’s project that saw Hutchinson take one photo every minute on the longest day of the millennium. Selecting from more than 900 photos, the exhibition draws on film negatives, contact sheets and new photographic prints made with traditional darkroom methods.
glenbow.org
