Indigenous arts

Are you looking for a fast-paced, engaging environment to bridge your experience in project management, artwork preparation, and team building? 

Supervising a team of 6-10 interns to deliver The Works Art & Design Festival each summer, The Exhibit Production & Technology Lead Supervisor works year-round to implement various exhibits, programs, and special events. Channel your problem-solving skills, multi-tasking abilities, and strong attention to detail as you help usher artists’ visions into reality. 

Read more about the role here at www.theworks.ab.ca/job-opportunities

To apply, email your resume and cover letter outlining your interest in the position to hr@theworks.ab.ca by January 28. 

ᐊᐧᐃᐧᓯᐦᒋᑲᐣ
wawisihcikan - adornment
January 7-25, 2025  | FAB Gallery | Edmonton, Alberta
Reception: Saturday, Jan. 18, 12-3 PM

Curated by MJ Belcourt
Featuring works by Elaine Alexie, Erik Lee, and Carmen Miller

The travelling exhibit entitled “ᐊᐧᐃᐧᓯᐦᒋᑲᐣ wawisihcikan - adornment” takes a look at adornment through an Indigenous perspective. The meaning of adornment according to the dictionary states the use of item(s) that decorate, embellish, enhance, beautify, or enrich. It could be said adornment is the finishing touch that distinguishes the wearer.

Adornment from an Indigenous perspective goes beyond the items’ beauty. It is an artistic expression that conveys many levels of communication. It makes connection to a spiritual foundation, the importance to land and place, and defines inherent culture.

Early adornment provides a sense of knowledge about our ancestors that reflect the natural world in which they lived. The seasonal round of birth and rebirth shape our worldview in a circulatory way as everything is interdependent.

Spirituality has been the foundation for Indigenous peoples’ lives and an ‘intrinsic quality of creative activity.’ These artistic expressions were woven into the fabric of daily life. ‘Artifacts were generally created as items to be used, not as ‘art’. Bags, pouches, along with awl and knife sheaths were functional yet beautifully decorated’.

Through European contact and trade metal goods, cloth and glass beads were incorporated into the repertoire of the maker. Even as the use of trade materials increased, traditional styles of embellishment remained with the use of these traditional materials still being utilized to this present day, maintaining connection to ancestors and cultural traditions. ‘Contemporary artists/artisans are keenly aware of their responsibility as guardians of traditions from which their imagery and inspiration derive.’

‘More than beautiful ornamentation, adornment is a visual language expressing the joy of creativity, pride in attention to craftsmanship, and the desire to share with others. Above all, it honors oneself as well as one’s people by doing a thing well.’ (Sherr Dubin, Lois. North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment: From Prehistory to the Present)

This exhibition is organized by the Art Gallery of Alberta for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program. TREX is funded by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.

_{Dr. Joane Cardinal-Schubert
Crowsnest Mountain and the Seven Sisters, 1989
oil on paper
Collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts}

The holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect with family and friends. At the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, we are forging a deeper understanding of our role and responsibilities as Alberta’s provincial arts funder and principal supporter. We are in a period of renewal as we look forward to new opportunities. Whether it is the performing arts, literary, visual, film or video, the AFA’s job is to help individual artists and organizations explore, practice, create and promote their exceptional work.

We have a profound sense of optimism for the years ahead that is buoyed by the Alberta government’s commitment to increase AFA funding to a record-level $39.1 million by 2027. 
We look forward to continuing our work with government for the betterment of Alberta’s arts sector.

Art and Alberta’s artists are at the heart of everything that we do. In that vein, I’m proud to continue the AFA’s tradition of highlighting an artwork from our collection. This year, I’m pleased to feature Crowsnest Mountain and the Seven Sisters by Dr. Joane Cardinal-Schubert. 
This beautiful Indigenous work is representative of the mountain landscape in Southern Alberta. Cardinal-Schubert’s use of color is so appropriate during the holiday season.

On behalf of the AFA Board of Directors and staff, please accept my best wishes for a safe and restful holiday season, Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Cynthia P. Moore, Chair

Alberta Foundation for the Arts

Celebrate the opening of Sydney Frances Pascal: kw7íkwl̓acwmíntsinlhkan | i dream of you, at Mitchell Art Gallery on January 16 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm

kw7íkwl̓acwmíntsinlhkan | i dream of you brings together recent works by artist Sydney Frances Pascal that explore reconnection with family and culture through relationships with land, water, and language.

The event will begin with a video screening and Q&A session with artist Sydney Frances Pascal at 5:30 pm held at the Roundhouse Event Space, followed by a reception at 6:30 pm. in the Allard Hall Main Atrium. This event is free to attend and all are welcome - no RSVP is required. Light refreshments will be served. 

Calling all Writers: Open Submissions Now Live!

Do you have a story to share? Wild Skies Press is now seeking submissions for upcoming book titles.

Fiction, non-fiction, poetry–we want to hear from you!

Submit before January 30 2025 to be considered for the 2025-2026 season, with early submissions highly encouraged.

Don’t miss the chance to bring your work to life with a publisher that values your voice. 

Visit wildskiespress.com/call-for-writers/ for more details about our submissions process and to learn about what makes Wild Skies Press the right publisher for you.