u/gorebug

Howdy r/yyc_art! 🤠🎨

If you are looking to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season without setting foot on the crowded Stampede grounds, Newzones in the Beltline has put together the perfect artistic alternative.

Their annual summer group exhibition, G'ddy Up!, is officially open, offering a fresh, contemporary spin on traditional western iconography.

The Exhibition

The show challenges the standard, dusty tropes of western art by reinterpreting classic themes through a modern, experimental lens.

• The Midway & Culture: Dianne Bos presents dreamlike pinhole photographs capturing the chaotic energy of carnival and midway life.
• Rodeo & Rebellion: Kevin Sonmor’s featured paintings draw from a deeply personal connection to rodeo culture.
• Sculptural Twist: Evelyne Brader-Frank strips away the traditional bronze aesthetic, opting instead for striking, sleek marble horse forms.

https://preview.redd.it/gw9em1e0dfbh1.jpg?width=1800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c11013feb3e0d6e561b75b2944ae7d6b71c351a7

Gallery Details

• Where: Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art, 730 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB (map link)
• Cost: FREE to walk in and explore.
• Hours: Tuesday to Friday (10:30 AM – 5:00 PM) & Saturday (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM).

You can check out the full online catalogue and view available works directly on the Newzones Exhibition Page.

https://newzones.com/blog/2026/06/19/gddy-up-2026/

Welcome to the r/yyc_art Q3-2026 'Mid-Price' Marketplace Megathread!

This is our dedicated, recurring community space where Calgary and area artists can share their affordable work, and local art lovers can buy directly from creators. This thread will remain active until the end of September.

📜 The Rules & Criteria

To keep this thread organized, safe, and fair for everyone, all listings must adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Original Work Only: Pieces must be designed and physically created by you (the poster). No secondary market sales (i.e. reselling).
2. Affordable Pricing: The total price of the item must be $1,000 CAD or less. (Check out the under $250 thread here)
3. No Digital "Art Prints": Listings are restricted to original paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, etc. Hand-pulled, limited-edition printmaker works (e.g., linocuts, woodcuts, lithographs, etchings) are allowed, but digital canvas reproductions, posters, or open-edition giclée prints are not (you can sell them on your site, but cannot feature them in this thread).
4. Local Pickup/Drop-off: Items must be physically located in the Calgary region and be available for local hand-off or pickup.
5. One Comment Per Maker: Each artist is permitted exactly one top-level comment in this thread.
6. No Critiques or Feedback Requests: This is strictly a transactional marketplace. Keep the comment section clear of critique or advice. Supportive comments are welcome.
7. No Safe-for-Work Violations: All artwork posted in this marketplace thread must be SFW (Safe for Work). No explicit or graphic content.
8. Direct Links Only: You may provide a direct, non-affiliate link to your professional website, portfolio, or artist social media page. Shortened links (e.g., bit.ly) are not allowed.

📥 Buyer & Seller Safety Notice

• Transactions: r/yyc_art and its moderators do not handle transactions, processing, or shipping. All sales are strictly between the buyer and the artist.
• Safety First: For local pickups, we highly recommend meeting in well-lit, public spaces (such as a busy cafe, gallery parking lot, or a designated police Buy/Sell Safety Zone).
• Payment: Use secure, traceable methods where possible, or cash upon physical inspection of the art. Familiarize yourself with common marketplace scams at r/Scams.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the new historical show over at Loch Gallery in the Beltline, this is your official heads-up that it is entering its final week! Walter J. Phillips: Printmaker, Painter, Pioneer is wrapping up next Thursday, July 9.

The Work

For anyone who loves historical Canadian landscapes, W.J. Phillips (1884–1963) is highly regarded for his colour woodcuts. He ranks as one of the pioneers of the medium in Canada using traditional Japanese printmaking techniques.

• The Collection: The show features 31 original works, spanning his early watercolours, detailed wood engravings, and rare colour woodcuts.
• The Highlights: The centrepiece is York Boat on Lake Winnipeg (1930) on display alongside gorgeous, hyper-local, pieces capturing the Rockies and Kananaskis, like Rundle Winter and Sheep River Falls.
• https://lochgallery.com/exhibition/walter-j-phillips-printmaker-painter-pioneer

Gallery Details

• Where: Loch Gallery Calgary, 314 12 Ave SW, Calgary. (map link)
• When: Running now until Thursday**, July 9, 2026**.
• Cost: FREE to walk in and view.
• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM).

You can browse the full exhibition catalogue and check out pricing for the remaining available pieces directly on the Loch Gallery Exhibition Page.

He is definitely one of my favourites but I've not yet had the means to add any into my collection. I'll be doing my best to visit this on Saturday.

A brand new installation just launched over the weekend at the Esker Foundation Project Space in Inglewood. Local sculptor Johnathan Onyschuk (who is also the current Sculpture Facilitator over at the Banff Centre) has a solo showcase titled Old Growth running all through the summer and fall.

https://preview.redd.it/va7gq3dlbpah1.jpg?width=2560&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=511157b6de4e4f70d9c498c67094b870d6752acc

The Work

The installation centres around the historical recurrence of the human face merging with plant matter (think traditional architectural green men or folk art "spirit carvings").

• Medium: Intricate, labour-intensive composite basswood reliefs.
• The Process: Onyschuk sourced a massive collection of anonymous, found wooden spirit carvings and seamlessly fused them together. The individual faces dissolve and accumulate into dense, swirling patterned textures where human features recede and emerge.

Gallery Details

• Where: 4th Floor, 1011 – 9th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB. (map link)
• When: June 29 – October 18, 2026.
• Cost: 100% FREE admission.
• Hours: Wednesday to Friday (11 AM – 6 PM) | Saturday & Sunday (12 PM – 5 PM).
• Bonus: You get 90 minutes of complimentary underground parking if you log your license plate on the tablet up on the 4th floor gallery entrance!

Check out the full details directly on the Esker Foundation Exhibition Page.

If you have been able to visit the exhibition, drop your thoughts below!

Hey everyone,

There are all sorts of ways to collect! I've purchased from galleries, auctions and directly from the artist, but it's tough to resist a terrific deal. Whether you found a hidden masterpiece at a local thrift store, scored an incredible deal at a garage sale, or spotted a hidden gem at a local flea market... we want to see it.

Welcome to our very first r/yyc_art Monthly Bargain Brag Challenge!

Instead of waiting all summer, we want to celebrate your hunts right now. The member with the most loved find this month will win a $10 grand prize (sent via Interac E-transfer) paid out directly by the mod team (don't spend it all in one place).

📋 How to Enter

There are no complicated templates or strict formatting rules here. Finds made in this calendar year are eligible. To enter, just drop a comment below with:

1. 📸 A picture of your find.
2. 📍 Where you found it in the Calgary/Southern Alberta area and the price you paid (must be under $125 CAD).
3. ✍️ A quick sentence telling us the story behind it!

Limit of 1 entry per redditor each month.

🧮 How the Winner is Decided

To keep things completely fair, fun, and easy to verify, we are keeping it simple:

• Community Voting: This thread is locked into Reddit Contest Mode. Upvote counts are completely hidden, and comment orders are randomized so early posters don't get an unfair advantage.
• The Mod's Choice Story Bonus: While community upvotes will narrow down our top two finalists, the mod team will pick the ultimate winner based on the coolest backstory. We are keeping our eyes peeled for original art, local Alberta creators, and/or local landmarks!

⏱️ Timeline & Deadline

• July Contest Closes: Friday, July 31, 2026.
• Winner Announced: The first week of August, right when the August Bargain Brag thread goes live.

Show us what you found, tell us your hunting stories, and let the bragging begin!

Welcome to the r/yyc_art Q3-2026 Marketplace Megathread!

This is our dedicated, recurring community space where Calgary and area artists can share their affordable work, and local art lovers can buy directly from creators. This thread will remain active until the end of September.

📜 The Rules & Criteria

To keep this thread organized, safe, and fair for everyone, all listings must adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Original Work Only: Pieces must be designed and physically created by you (the poster). No secondary market sales (i.e. reselling).
2. Affordable Pricing: The total price of the item must be $250 CAD or less.
3. No Digital "Art Prints": Listings are restricted to original paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, etc. Hand-pulled, limited-edition printmaker works (e.g., linocuts, woodcuts, lithographs, etchings) are allowed, but digital canvas reproductions, posters, or open-edition giclée prints are not (you can sell them on your site, but cannot feature them in this thread).
4. Local Pickup/Drop-off: Items must be physically located in the Calgary region and be available for local hand-off or pickup.
5. One Comment Per Maker: Each artist is permitted exactly one top-level comment in this thread.
6. No Critiques or Feedback Requests: This is strictly a transactional marketplace. Keep the comment section clear of critique or advice. Supportive comments are welcome.
7. No Safe-for-Work Violations: All artwork posted in this marketplace thread must be SFW (Safe for Work). No explicit or graphic content.
8. Direct Links Only: You may provide a direct, non-affiliate link to your professional website, portfolio, or artist social media page. Shortened links (e.g., bit.ly) are not allowed.

📥 Buyer & Seller Safety Notice

• Transactions: r/yyc_art and its moderators do not handle transactions, processing, or shipping. All sales are strictly between the buyer and the artist.
• Safety First: For local pickups, we highly recommend meeting in well-lit, public spaces (such as a busy cafe, gallery parking lot, or a designated police Buy/Sell Safety Zone).
• Payment: Use secure, traceable methods where possible, or cash upon physical inspection of the art. Familiarize yourself with common marketplace scams at r/Scams.

Hello everyone,

If you are looking for a striking local exhibition to check out this weekend, the Alberta Society of Artists (ASA) is currently hosting an incredible solo show in their space above the Crossroads Market (access via NW stairwell).

Receptacalum features the work of Edmonton-based artist Jeongmin Ahn, who uses meticulous hyperrealism to explore the concept of still life painting.

Ahn "attempts to push the limits of paints ability to capture the real." By focusing intense attention on everyday objects, the work seeks to question how consumerism corrupts our perception of value in modern society.

I visited the exhibition last week and was in awe of what he was able to produce.

Trash No.5 - Jeongmin Ahn

🏛️ Exhibition & Gallery Details:

• Exhibition Dates: On view now through July 24, 2026.
• Location: ASA Art Gallery, #222, 1235 – 26 Ave SE, Calgary, AB. (map link)
• Admission: Free to visit!

You can read the full artist statement directly on the Alberta Society of Artists Event Page.

https://www.albertasocietyofartists.com/receptacalum/

Are there other fans of hyperrealism in the community? If you've visited, let us know your thoughts of the exhibition in the comments!

Hello everyone,

If you want to check out some contemporary abstract art in the Beltline this week, Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art is hosting a new solo exhibition of an established Canadian colour-field painter.

Open Window features a brand-new body of large-scale acrylic paintings by artist Jonathan Forrest. Known for his exuberance of colour, full shapes, and a deep dialogue with modernist abstraction, Forrest's latest series was directly inspired by the rich, luminous qualities of stained-glass windows he encountered at an old church venue.

The canvases are expansive, richly layered, and beautifully presented in custom aluminum shadowbox frames.

https://preview.redd.it/y4zv5wxbui9h1.jpg?width=2100&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c34c51df6a884116011fc4d0ad8dd063d6d8ebc5

🏛️ Exhibition & Gallery Details:

• Exhibition Start: Opened June 6, 2026.
• Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM | Saturdays, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Closed Sundays, Mondays, and holiday long weekends).
• Location: Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art, 730 11th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB. (map link)
• https://newzones.com/blog/2026/01/22/jonathan-forrest-open-window-2026/

🎨 Artist Context:

Forrest has a major footprint in Western Canada's art history. Educated at the University of Saskatchewan, he spent 27 years attending and organizing the legendary Emma Lake Artists' Workshops. His work sits in permanent museum collections across the country, including the Glenbow Museum right here in town, the Remai Modern, and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

You can read the full artist statement and preview the catalogue directly on the Newzones Exhibition Page.

Has anyone had the chance to check these out in person yet?

Hey everyone! I'm u/gorebug, a founding moderator of r/yyc_art.

Whether you are a professional painter, a weekend hobbyist sketcher, a local collector, or just someone looking for unique weekend gallery openings in the city, this community is built for you.

Our mission is simple: To create a high-utility, central hub for the Calgary and area visual arts ecosystem.

🏛️ Why This Subreddit Exists

Calgary has an incredibly passionate, diverse arts scene, but it is fragmented across separate physical hubs and multiple social platforms. Main local subreddits often bury art discussions under daily news and city complaints. This space is a dedicated, filtered archive where Calgary and area creators and supporters can connect directly without the noise.

🧱 Our Core Rule: "Be Better"

This community functions as a collaborative network, not a free billboard. To ensure the feed remains highly valuable to readers, we enforce a strict standard:

• Community First, Self-Promo Second: We expect a roughly 10:1 ratio of genuine interaction (commenting on others' work, sharing local events) versus posting your own art for sale. Eventually our goal is to have a regular self promotion thread that creators can be more active in.
• No "Drop-and-Run" Links: If you share an image of your original work, you must drop a top-level comment within 60 minutes explaining your physical process, materials used, or the Calgary-specific story behind it. Blind links to your Instagram or Etsy shop without context will be automatically flagged and removed.

📚 Dive Into Our Local Wiki

Before you make your first post, check out our community-maintained directories for immediate local resources:

• Subreddit Rules & Expanded Code of Conduct: Read up on our baseline rules, including our strict Physical Mediums Only (No AI) policy and our artistic nudity guidelines.
• Local Supply & Venue Directory (Coming Soon): We are currently compiling a comprehensive master list of Calgary’s best local frame shops, fine art printers, supply deals, and active gallery submission windows.

👋 Introduce Yourself Below!

We want to get to know our founding community members. Drop a comment below and answer some of the following:

1. What region are you located in?
2. How would you categorize yourself... are you a creator, collector, curator, or just curious?
3. What physical mediums and/or styles do you specialise in or want to learn more about?
4. What is your favourite local art space or gallery to visit in the city?
5. What type of content and posts would be of most interest to you?

Thanks for being an early adopter! Let’s be better and develop something viable together.

Hello everyone,

For those tracking local estate sales and art markets, a bidding event is wrapping up over the next 48 hours. Hodgins Halls Auction Group is currently running their specialized Western Art, Collectibles, and "Heartland" Props online auction.

Alongside traditional Western heritage paintings and cowboy collectibles, this particular catalog features an 68 lots of screen-used television props from the long-running CBC series Heartland.

Because all items are sold strictly "as is" with limited condition notes listed in the online descriptions, you should inspect pieces in person if you plan to place a serious bid.

🏛️ Showroom Preview Times:

If you want to view the artwork, gear, or television props physically before bidding, their local showroom is open for public walkthroughs from Noon to 4:00 PM on the following days:

• Location: 4115-7005 Fairmount Drive SE, Calgary (map link)
• Sunday, June 21st (Today!) until Tuesday, June 23rd

⏰ Key Auction Deadlines:

• Bidding Closes: Tuesday, June 23rd starting at 7:00 PM (Features a staggered, soft close).
• Payment Deadline: Friday, June 26th by 5:00 PM.
• Pick-up Window: All won items must be cleared out by Monday, June 29th at 5:00 PM.

💸 The Financial Fine Print:

• Buyer's Premium: A 20% premium is added on top of your final winning hammer price.
• Taxes: GST applies to both the final bid price and the buyer's premium.

You can look through the full catalog and register your bidding account directly on the Hodgins Halls Auction Portal.

Any local Western art collectors or Heartland fans in the community eyeing up specific lots this week?

OP has no affiliation with either the Auction house or any of the auction consignors. The OP has received no compensation for this posting.