Found Poetry: Artwork from the Streets
April 3 to 29
Central Library
Art Wall
The words we see around us - printed on signs, carved in stone, and cast on plaques - reflect our community's ideals and help to shape the communities in which we live.
In interactive workshops led by artist and TMC Board chair Linda Hawke, participants have captured inspiring words they find in their neighbourhoods and used them to create works on canvas that are both poems and visual art.
Eye of the Storm
April 5 to May 30
TNG +15 Window
Arts Commons, 205 – 8 Ave. S.E.
The eye of the storm is a quiet center in the middle of chaos. It aptly describes what creating art represents for the artists taking part in this exhibition. Enjoy stunning visual artwork created by artists of the Wild Rose Studio located at the Calgary Drop-In Centre.
Bari Camero, An Dong, Ann Lee, Melva L. Thomson, and Ruth Vickers are making dedicated efforts to develop as artists despite their experiences of homelessness. Painter, sculptor and TMC artist-mentor Patricia Lortie has worked with this talented group since December to guide them in mounting this exhibition.
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Eye of the Storm
April 9 to 27
Opening Reception April 16, 7:30pm – 9pm
Loft 112
#112, 535 – 8 Ave. S.E.
Enjoy even more stunning visual artwork created by artists of the Wild Rose Studio located at the Calgary Drop-In Centre.
Voices in the Wind: In Bridgeland
April 5 to June 6
Opening Reception April 11, 1pm – 5pm
Lukes Drug Mart, 112 4th St. NE
Tiny Gallery
Several locations on 1st Ave NE in Bridgeland
Often times there are those whose voices are lost in the wind. We hope this display of art by some of Calgary's more marginalized citizens including children and youth from the various shelters and agencies that give aid to the homeless and less fortunate, gives you a chance to hear their Voices in the Wind.
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Possibilities in the Wind: An Artful Partnership
April 11 to 25
Opening Reception April 11, 2:30pm – 5pm
U-HALL Gallery at TRUCK
2009 10 Ave SW
In partnership with The Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) this exhibit showcases the transformation of a rundown rooming house into a vibrant work of art—its last hurrah before demolition to make way for housing for the homeless. Many community members worked together—and we celebrate them and their work.
Friends and Mentors: Sharing Experience
April 12, 2pm – 3:30pm
Central Library, Main Floor
616 Macleod Trail S.E.
Enjoy an insightful celebration of behind-the-scenes inspirations and artists who make the Festival possible. This is where talent and diversity of expression meet social justice issues. We'll share our experiences about the making of Found Poetry, insights into writing projects at the DI and Alpha house, the coming together of artwork of Urban Aboriginal Youth and more in several short presentations illustrated with slides.
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Uncovering Colonial Legacies: Voices of Indigenous Youth in Child Welfare (dis)Placements
April 17 to 25
Opening Reception April 17, 6 pm
artBOX on 17E
1807 42 Street SE
In collaboration with Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY) we showcase the astonishing work of young artists between 18 and 29 years of age. By bringing together Indigenous youth with child welfare involvement, the exhibit engages all Calgarians to reflect on the lifelong impacts of childhood displacement from home communities and disconnection from family experienced by many Indigenous youth.
When asked about the project, Daniela Navia and collaborators Rita Henderson and Levi First Charger made the following statement.
"There are three times the number of Indigenous youth in the child welfare system than were placed at the height of residential schools. This exhibit seeks to create a better understanding of how settler colonialism shapes ongoing displacement, dispossession and violence against Indigenous bodies. It also situates the importance of daily resistance and reclamation in the everyday lives of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous youth ranging from 18 to 29 years old who recently experienced Child Welfare (dis)placements were involved in an arts and advocacy initiative organized in partnership between the University of Calgary and the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth."
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PhotoWalk: Urban Exploration With Cat
April 19, 10:30 – noon
Meet at the Municipal Building by the horse sculptures.
800 Macleod Trail SE
Grab your camera and explore sites of displacement and rebuilding in the downtown core, focusing on the East Village.
Cat Schick, a photographer and TMC artist mentor, will share technical and aesthetic tips while creating opportunity for dialogue about life in our city.
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Voices in the Wind: The Patchwork Show
April 24, 7:30pm
CommunityWise Common Room
101, 223 12 Ave SW
As the Festival draws to a close, we celebrate the spirit of creative expression that has enveloped us over the past two weeks.
Like a patchwork quilt, this presentation stitches together colourful snippets that reflect patterns and textures of diverse lives. This evening features music, spoken word, short film, and vignettes inspired by contributors from Calgary Drop-In Centre, Alpha House, Calgary Women's Centre, and our various community partners.