Seven artworks from Black and Indigenous artists have recently been acquired into MacEwan University's Art Collection and will be on display in the John L. Haar Library for the campus community and beyond to enjoy.
Three of these artists are also represented in the AFA Art Collection: Braxton Garneau, Kiona Callihoo Ligtvoet and Kablusiak. In addition, Braxton Garneau and Kiona Callihoo Ligtvoet are currently represented in the New Views exhibition at the AFA art house in Calgary, which recently opened its gallery space to the public in September.
View the AFA's holdings by these artists on our Virtual Museum:
Kablusiak's Piliutiyara (Saltwater Taffy) is from the same series of artworks acquired by MacEwan.
Congratulations to these young artists for this important achievement.
About the Artists
Braxton Garneau
Braxton Garneau is a visual artist based in amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). A MacEwan University alumnus, Garneau graduated in 2017 with a Fine Art diploma. He works across mediums such as painting, printmaking and installation using a wide range of materials such as asphalt, sugar cane and raffia. His work has been acquired by numerous public and private collections including the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, which acquired his work Pitch Lake (Pietà) in 2024 through the Northern Trust Purchase Prize at EXPO Chicago.
Kiona Callihoo Ligtvoet
Kiona Callihoo Ligtvoet is an artist based in amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). She is a MacEwan University alumnus who graduated with a Fine Art diploma in 2017. Working in a variety of disciplines including painting, printmaking, drawing and installation, her art explores intergenerational grief, memory, family history, loss and enfranchisement. Ligtvoet is the recipient of multiple awards, and her debut graphic novel, We Were Younger Once (2022), was nominated for the Doug Wright Award for emerging talent.
Kablusiak
Kablusiak is a multidisciplinary Inuvialuk artist and curator based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). They are a MacEwan University alumnus who graduated with a Fine Art diploma in 2013. Their practice explores Inuit queerness, sexuality, comedy and nostalgia as well as feelings of displacement and loss. Kablusiak has been recognized through numerous awards such as the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award (2020 & 2023), the Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award (2021 recipient, 2023 shortlist) and the Sobey Art Award (2019 shortlist, 2023 recipient).
About the New Views exhibition
New Views is the inaugural exhibition of the AFA art house in Calgary. The exhibition features 50 unique artworks from 40 extraordinary Alberta artists acquired within the last 10 years that represent only a sampling of the extensive collection of artworks in the vault of the AFA Art Collection. It is part of our goal to make more of the art from our collection available for the public to enjoy.
About the AFA art house
The AFA art house, located in the heart of downtown Calgary, is a space to for Albertans to see, discover, and experience the unique stories the artists of Alberta have to share. The Gallery will showcase works from the AFA Art Collection as well as other works from Alberta artists. The AFA art house is free to access.
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MacEwan University's Art Collection has acquired new artworks from Black and Indigenous artists that will be on display in the John L. Haar Library. Three of these artists are also part of the AFA Art Collection.
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MacEwan University's Art Collection has acquired new artworks from Black and Indigenous artists that will be on display in the John L. Haar Library. Three of these artists are also part of the AFA Art Collection.
