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Art and Creativity

Art brings people together, weaving connections among individuals, communities, and cultures.

Acting as a universal language, art has the power to unite diverse voices, evoke empathy, and spark conversations.

When we share creative experiences, we discover similarities that deepen our understanding of one another, creating stronger connections. At Carya’s Village Commons, we offer a diverse range of art-based programming, including drop-in sessions, community-led workshops, and artist-in-residence programs, providing opportunities for meaningful engagement and expression.

Artist In Residence (AiR) Program

Artist in Residence programs support and encourage the development of art and culture in Calgary.  They provide an inspiring environment for both artists and participants where new connections and a sense of belonging can be formed.  In partnership with Calgary Allied Arts Foundation (CAAF), Carya’s Artist in Residence (AiR) program is one of many programs offered at Village Commons that provides Calgarians with opportunities to partake in various art programs. The residency program was developed to offer studio space and teaching opportunities to emerging artists in 3-month durations.

Carya’s Fall Artist in Residence

Gillian Coulton, an artist based in Moh’kinsstis (Calgary), specializes in contemporary landscape painting. Her art reflects personal experiences and perspectives. She has a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary.

This fall, Gillian is offering a program to teach landscape drawing and painting using traditional materials to help you improve your technique and style. The focus will be on exploring space and the world around you through drawing and painting. Your artwork will be displayed in a public art exhibition at Carya’s Village Commons at the end of the residency.

Visit Gillian’s Website: www.gilliancoultonart.com

It was a wonderful experience; I learned a lot about myself and grew as an artist and a human

-Carya AiR Participant

Upcoming AiR Workshops

Dive into drawing landscapes using traditional drawing media such as pencil, ink, and charcoal, with a focus on developing personal technique and style. Landscape drawing is a great way to expand your perception of space and explore the world around us.

Creating Personal Landscapes

In this series of workshops, participants will experiment with drawing and painting to create landscapes that are both personal and stylistically unique.

Workshop Dates: Mondays, December 2, 9, and 16, 2024

Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Location: Village Commons

Open Studio Time

Come take some time to work on projects from this week’s workshops with advice from the artist in residence, or simply drop by to look at or discuss some art created in the workshops or by the artist in residence.  

Workshop Dates: Wednesdays, December 4, 11 and 18, 2024

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Village Commons

For more information or to register please contact 403-536-6558 or AdminVC@CaryaCalgary.ca.