Free This Week
April brings a mix of behind-the-scenes tours, bold new exhibitions and dynamic performances. This week, walk through the curatorial process at Esker Foundation, experience emerging craft media at the MFA Thesis Exhibition, immerse yourself in contemporary Ukrainian cinema and more!
Nickle at Noon: Paul Kuhn – Studio Life of a Closet Painter
April 3, 2025, 12 – 1pm
Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary (435 Campus Lane NW)
Free to attend
Paul Kuhn is widely known as a Calgary art dealer and gallery owner. In this intimate presentation, hosted by Calgary artist (and Nickle Galleries’ preparator) Aaron Sidorenko, Kuhn shares his practice and secrets to balancing work and life.
events.ucalgary.ca
MFA Thesis Exhibition 2025 — Opening Reception
April 3, 2025, 5 – 7pm
Illingworth Kerr Gallery, AUArts (1407 14 Ave. NW)
Free to attend
The MFA in Craft Media facilitates the exploration of ceramics, fibre, glass or jewellery and metals through autonomous practice-led research in an intensive program. Mentored by acclaimed artists and scholars, students produce work and research that expands the field of contemporary craft.
auarts.ca
Free First Thursday
April 3, 2025, 5 – 9pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
Join Contemporary Calgary for Free First Thursday featuring contemporary art, special programming, and a free drop-in art-making session. Experience June Clark: Witness, an artist talk with Julie Crooks, live jazz, spoken word, and more!
contemporarycalgary.com
Behind The Scenes Tour w/ Elizabeth Diggon & Doug Haslam
April 3, 2025, 6 – 7pm
Esker Foundation (4th floor, 1011 9 Ave. SE)
Free to attend, registration required
Join Esker Foundation curator Elizabeth Diggon and Head Preparator Doug Haslam for a behind-the-scenes tour of the exhibitions by Hangama Amiri, Erika DeFreitas and Thuy-Han Nguyen-Chi. Learn about the work that goes toward installing and curating contemporary art exhibitions.
eventbrite.ca
The Ukrainian Film Festival in Alberta
April 4 – 6, 2025, see website for showtimes
Globe Cinema (617 8 Ave. SW)
Free to attend
The Ukrainian Film Festival debuts in Calgary, showcasing outstanding contemporary independent cinema with English subtitles. Enjoy powerful stories, panel discussions and filmmaker Q&As exploring themes of identity, family and belonging.
ukrfilmfestival.com
Trepidation Twilight — Opening Reception
April 4, 2025, 5 – 9pm
Ruberto Ostberg Gallery (2108 18 St NW)
Free to explore
Join artists David Belcourt and Chrissy Cheung for the opening reception of Twilight Trepidation, a duo contemporary art exhibition of fellow painters. Exhibiting artwork over the two levels of Ruberto Ostberg Gallery, there will be over 40 original new artworks to view and inspire your muse.
trepidation-twilight.eventbrite.ca
EDAA Awards Travelling Exhibition — Opening Ceremony
April 4, 2025, 7 – 9pm
EMMEDIA (2005 10 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
The Emerging Digital Artists Award (EDAA) is Canada’s leading prize dedicated to recognizing early-career artists working in digital media. Join EMMEDIA for the opening of this year’s EDAA exhibition, showcasing the next wave of visionary media artists.
emmedia.ca
Spring Art Shows & Sales
April 5, 2025, 10am – 4pm
Various venues
Free to explore
Spring art shows and sales offer the perfect opportunity to discover unique pieces, meet local artists and celebrate creativity. Get out there and explore as the Calgary Creative Arts Guild, Parkdale Art Club, Calgary Sketch and Painting Club and Group Art Society all host their spring shows!
Learn more in our Spring Art Shows & Sales roundup
Creative Tassel Making Workshop
April 5, 2025, 1 – 4pm
Sparrow Artspace (36 4 St. NE)
Free to participate, registration required
Learn some tips and techniques to create your own eye-catching danglers in this family workshop. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this workshop is perfect for anyone looking to add a unique touch to their projects.
eventbrite.com
Jim Stokes & Brent Laycock: North to South — Opening Reception
April 5, 2025 , 2 – 5pm
Wallace Galleries (500 5 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
A play on the geographical location of these two artists; Stokes is from Grande Prairie and Laycock is from Calgary. These two artists come together to celebrate the diversity of the Alberta landscape from north to south; prairie to mountains and beyond.
wallacegalleries.com
Behind the Music: Beethoven
April 5, 2025, 4 – 5:30pm
Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, Central Library (800 3 St. SE)
Free to attend, registration required
Step into the lives of history’s greatest composers with Behind the Music, a biographical lecture presented by Ozan Ardic, a classical composer and pianist. In this engaging series, Ozan shares the fascinating stories of composers, exploring their lives, inspirations and the historical contexts of their works.
calgarylibrary.ca
fireWORKS Public Launch
April 5, 2025, 6 – 9pm
Courtyard, Historic Fire Hall #1 (104 6 Ave. SE)
Free to attend, registration required
Join cSPACE Projects for the launch of fireWORKS, an immersive art installation by Indigenous duo ARTICLE 11. The celebration features a blessing by Elder Ruth Scalplock, performances by Shone Thistle and One Big JAM, artist insights and midway-inspired treats.
eventbrite.ca
Gaze Vase — Opening Reception
April 5, 2025, 6:30 – 9:30pm
Canopy Studios (1723 9 St. SW)
Free to explore
Gaze Vase is a series of sculptural ceramic vases that explore the dynamics of seeing and being seen. Crafted from Alberta-sourced clay through sectional throwing, each vase holds emotions and stories, inviting viewers to question how perception shapes identity. Check out the opening event!
firuzeavci.art
Classical Guitar Society of Calgary: Preview Concert
April 6, 2025, 2 – 4pm
Shelf Life Books (Suite 100, 1302 4 St. SW)
Free to attend
Sunday at the bookstore! Join Shelf Life Books for an afternoon preview concert by the Classical Guitar Society of Calgary. You can expect beautiful and unusual pieces played with expertise and stories of historical context.
shelflifebooks.ca
Book Launch: Calgary’s Best Walks
April 8, 2025, 7pm
Shelf Life Books (Suite 100, 1302 4 St. SW)
Free to attend
Bestselling Alberta author Lori Beattie is back with a much expanded third edition of her hugely successful compendium of Calgary’s Best Walks. This edition takes walkers beyond Calgary, with 95 walks and tasty pit stops, including 50 new walks throughout Calgary and the area.
shelflifebooks.ca
Calgary Philharmonic Chorus
April 9, 2025, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1 St. SW)
Free to attend
The Calgary Philharmonic Chorus is a 160-member volunteer ensemble that performs a diverse repertoire alongside the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Led by Chorus Director Mark Bartel, this acclaimed group is one of only two choruses in Canada partnered with a major symphony orchestra.
proartssociety.ca
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.
