October Exhibitions
Check out new visual art exhibitions around Calgary this October — from a group residency and show all about abstraction, to an artistic response to archival images of Fort Calgary and North-West Mounted Police. Each month, we spotlight a new or outgoing visual art exhibition in the city, followed by a roundup of others you can enjoy.
Dimensions of Intimacy: Jana Sterbak
Recently opened, Dimensions of Intimacy is a large-scale retrospective of one of Canada’s most influential contemporary artists, Jana Sterbak. The Prague-born artist is known for for her provocative exploration of unconventional but familiar materials, ranging from bread, chocolate and raw meat to granite, wire and ice.
This exhibition features innovative early work that pushes material and sculptural norms, wearable structures that merge object with performance, significant video and film work, as well as rarely exhibited artist editions, photographs and drawings from Sterbak’s own collection.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience Sterbak’s pioneering contributions to art history. Dimensions of Intimacy is on view at the Esker Foundation until December 21, 2025.
(Exhibition info adapted from Esker Foundation)
More October exhibitions:
New Views
Ongoing
AFA Art House (2nd floor, 150 9 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
This exhibition in the Alberta Foundation for the Arts’ recently opened Calgary gallery space on the second floor of The Edison building downtown features many pieces on public display for the first time, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Alberta’s artistic identity.
affta.ab.ca
TrépanierBaer Exhibitions
Until November 1, 2025
TrépanierBaer (105, 999 8 St. SW)
Free to explore
TrépanierBaer Gallery features new works by Evan Penny, Ed Pien, Luanne Martineau and Simone Elizabeth Saunders. Highlights include Pien’s Incarnate, a series of fantastical mixed-media sculptures, Martineau’s felted-wool sculptures, and more!
trepanierbaer.com
Ebb & Flow
September 30 – October 25, 2025 | Reception: October 3, 6:30 – 9pm
Framed on Fifth (1209 5 Ave. NW)
Free to explore
Join Framed on Fifth this October for Ebb & Flow featuring 10 talented artists showcasing their work throughout the month.
framedonfifth.com
IN PROCESS: The Abstract Six
October 2 – 30, 2025 | Reception: October 2, 5 – 8pm
Sparrow Artspace (36 4 St. NE)
Free to explore
IN PROCESS is a group exhibit and month-long residency featuring six Calgary abstract artists exploring change, transition and the creative process. Through various approaches, these artists use abstraction to express emotion, memory and transformation.
sparrowartspace.com
Twilight Creations — Indigenous Projection Mapping
October 3 – 18, 2025
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 9 Ave. SE)
Free to attend
Four Indigenous youth, guided by Siksika Elder Adrian Wolfleg, learned to create projection-mapped artworks in response to local Indigenous history. Their pieces will be displayed each evening at dusk on the northwest corner of the Barracks building.
theconfluence.ca
Sentient Plant Allies in Alien Landscapes
October 3 – 21, 2025 | Reception: October 3, 6 – 9pm
Gibson Fine Art (730 11 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
Explore the newest body of work by Calgary-based Canadian/Colombian artist Maria Munar. Known for her striking sculptural collages, Munar layers bold colour, texture and form into whimsical bouquets and graceful abstracts that feel like timeless gardens.
gibsonfineart.ca
Dark Chambers
October 3 – 31, 2025
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 9 Ave. SE)
With admission
Dark Chambers by Siksika artist Adrian Stimson presents doctored photographic interventions displayed alongside archival images of Fort Calgary and the North-West Mounted Police. Through performance and photography, the work reflects on the establishment of Fort Calgary and the legacy of colonial presence.
theconfluence.ca
Chrysalis Art Exhibit and Reception
October 6 – 31, 2025 | Reception: October 25, 4 – 7:30pm
Level 4 Hallway Gallery, cSPACE Marda Loop (1721 29 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
Explore original artworks by adults with disabilities throughout October. Open to all, this 15th annual exhibition features pieces for sale that directly support the artists’ confidence, independence and creative growth.
chrysalis.ca
Recollections
October 18 – November 5, 2025 | Reception: October 18, 2 – 5pm
Wallace Galleries (500 5 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
This exhibition explores art as memory — each work capturing fleeting moments, emotions and visions in a constantly changing world. Featuring pieces by Kenneth Lochhead, Amy Modahl, Ted Godwin, Ronald Bloore and more.
wallacegalleries.com
Atmospheric Conditions & In Medias Res
October 18 – November 15, 2025
Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art (730 11 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
Anda Kubis | Atmospheric Conditions
Atmospheric Conditions, a new series by Anda Kubis, explores colour, space and illusion through bold, painterly abstraction. These vibrant works evoke shifting skies and digital blur, pulling viewers into immersive, ever-changing atmospheres.
newzones.com
David Robinson | In Medias Res
Newzones presents In Medias Res, a solo exhibition of new sculptures by Canadian artist David Robinson. Exploring psychological and mythical themes, Robinson’s striking figures, crafted from materials like bronze, steel and Hydrostone, capture moments of tension.
newzones.com
Ecologies – Eveline Kolijn
October 3 – December 6, 2025 | Reception: October 2, 5 – 8pm
Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary (410 University Ct. NW)
Free to explore
Stimulated by her study of natural science as a creative force, Calgary-based artist and author Eveline Kolijn marries science with art, generating a fantastical vision of our natural world through printmaking, video and installation.
nickle.ucalgary.ca
For more visual arts events and exhibitions, head over to the arts and culture events section of yycwhatson.ca.
