Call to Members – Featured Member Wall 2025

Are you a member of the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie? Are you also an artist? We’d love to work with you!

The Featured Member Wall is an opportunity that’s offered as a membership benefit. We know many who support the Gallery through membership are also artists. As part of our commitment to showcasing local artwork, and to celebrate our dedicated members, we have released our latest call for submissions for 2D artwork to be featured in the Gallery’s reception area. This is a great opportunity for new and emerging artists looking to display their artwork, as thousands of visitors interested in the Arts will see this work.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Monday, June 9, 2025

Artist Fee($): Honorarium of $150 is paid to artists

Submission Criteria:

Please send a JPEG image of your work.
Submissions must be no larger than 40 inches wide. Artwork doesn’t have to meet the maximum size, but it can’t exceed it. As an example, an artist could submit two drawings that are each 11×14 and that would be ok to display together.
Framing isn’t a requirement, but artwork does need to be ready to be displayed. That may mean a matted/framed photograph, or a stretched canvas with wire hangers.
Submissions must include the name of the artwork, date, medium, size.
Please send a short artist statement or a description of the individual artwork.
Please send a short biography of the artist to help us get to know you.
Submissions are open to members living in Grande Prairie and surrounding area within the Peace Region including, but not limited to, Sexsmith, Beaverlodge, Fairview, Valleyview, AB and Dawson Creek, BC.

Apply: Please apply and send questions by email to melanie@aggp.ca

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Monday, June 9, 2025

We encourage submissions from experienced artists as well as emerging artists of all ages, including those with minimal exhibition history.

Successful submissions will be featured in the Gallery’s reception area for up to 3 months.

Memberships may be purchased online or at the gallery reception desk.

Preview Available – Booking Opens May 1 at 8AM

Want to book an exhibition for your space or classroom? Explore the booking catalogue and pick out which exhibitions and dates suit your programming needs. You can then submit a booking request form by email or contact us to find out about available exhibitions.

Booking Opens – MAY 1 at 8AM

The booking catalogue for 2025 – 2026 can be found here:

https://aggp.ca/trex-details/about-trex-nw/

Summer Job Posting: Summer Art Camp Facilitators

Application closing date: Monday, May 12, 2025, 5:00PM MST

Download a pdf of the information listed below.

Position Title: Summer Art Camp Facilitator
Reports To: Education and Public Program Coordinator
Location: Art Gallery of Grande Prairie (AGGP)
Employment Type: Seasonal Full time, [35 Hours a week/ Monday to Friday]

Position Overview

Reporting to the Education and Public Program Coordinator (EPPC), the Summer Art Camp Facilitator develops and manages summer art camps for children and youth, contributing to interpretive and community programming at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about art and education as well as working with the public in a creative and community-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

● Summer Art Camps and Educational Programming:

○ Develop and manage a summer art camp program for children and youth ages 6-12.

○ Create and lead art lessons that are creative, fun and aligned with art fundamentals.

○ Maintain high-quality programming based on AGGP’s standards.

○ Lead in the preparation, set up and takedown of art camps and programs.

○ Advise the EPPC of any special material, space or scheduling needs.

○ Collaborate with volunteers on material preparation and delivery.

● Program Administration and Coordination:

○ Work within the summer art camp program budget set by the EPPC.

○ Oversee registration processes and communication with participants.

○ Provide on-site support during programs including participant check in, set up, photography and clean up.

○ Maintain stat collection and digital documentation of programming activities.

Qualifications:

● Passion for the arts, education and working with children and the public.

● Excellent verbal communication, organizational and problem-solving skills.

● Experience in educational programming or facilitation (formal or informal).

● Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

● Must provide current RCMP vulnerable sector check.

● Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence.

Preferred Skills and Attributes:

● Familiarity with photography and video documentation.

● Strong initiative, flexibility and the ability to multi-task.

● Interpersonal and public speaking skills.

Eligibility Requirements (Canada Summer Jobs Program):

● Be between 15-30 years old at the start of employment.

● Be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident or protected person under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

● Be legally entitled to work in Alberta.

● For Canada Summer Jobs reporting purposes this position is formally titled “Education Program Administrator.”

Note: International students are not eligible for this position.

Compensation:

● [Wage] $15 per hour.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility:

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from gender diverse, 2SLGBTQI+ and individuals who are Indigenous, Black or People of Colour.

While we strive for accessibility, we wish to be transparent about the limitations of our facilities. The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is not fully accessible in the following ways: doors to administration offices, ground floor and basement washrooms are not equipped with accessibility buttons, multiple doors require key entry, especially in the classroom and storage areas of the building, ramps in historic section of the gallery are sloped on a steep incline not in compliance with current building code.

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is not equipped with technology that supports those with hearing or visual impairments. We acknowledge that accessibility is an ever changing conversation that is unique depending on individual needs and circumstances. We encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about barriers to access at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie.

Please send a cover letter and CV to:

Subject: Summer Art Camp Facilitator: AGGP

Email: hiring@elevationhr.ca

Application closing date: Monday, May 12, 2025, 5:00PM MST

We thank all who may apply, however, only those who are being considered for an interview will be contacted.

SNAP Northern Alberta Artist Print Residency

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Deadline: 5pm MST, May 16, 2025

SNAP (The Society of Northern Alberta-Print-Artists) and Travelling Exhibitions Northwest (TREX NW) invite applications from artistswith a printmaking practice who wish to work in the SNAP Printshop for a 4-week period to develop a new body of work. This body of workwill go towards an exhibition at SNAP Gallery and on the TREX WALL. This visiting artist program is open to artists based in NorthernAlberta who live outside of major centers such as Edmonton. The residency will take place between the months of July and August 2025 (unless otherwise negotiated).

SNAP is a Non-profit Artist-Run Centre in Edmonton, Alberta dedicated to the production, presentation and dissemination of Fine Art Printmaking and Contemporary Print Media. For more information about SNAP, visit our About section.

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) has supported a provincial travelling exhibitions (TREX) program since 1981 to provide as many communities as possible across Alberta with the opportunity to see visual art exhibitions, and to share the collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts with the public. A provincially run program, TREX programs highlight the work of Alberta-based artists, helping to promote and encourage artistic careers in the province. The TREX program is host- ed by four different organizations across Alberta, whoeach manage the program for different region. TREX NW is hosted by the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie. For more information, visit aggp.ca

The Northern Alberta visiting artist residency will be selected by jury with representatives from both SNAP & the AGGP.

Visiting Artist Residency Program Includes:

24/7 access to the Printshop for a maximum 4 week consecutive period.
A $4000.00 CAD artist & accommodation fees (paid by TREX NW).
A $500.00 CAD materials stipend (materials purchased must be used during residency & will be administered by SNAP staff).
A future exhibition at SNAP and on the TREX WALL, using some of the works/techniques developed during the residency.
The opportunity for broad public engagement with the artist’s project and studio work.

Submission Requirements:

Artist’s curriculum vitae
10-20 jpegs with corresponding image list
A written project proposal of work to be completed during residency (500 words max)

Conditions

Visiting Artists at SNAP are expected to engage regularly with our community of studio renters, artists and SNAP patrons through attendance at events, informal critiques with emerging artists and others, attendance at exhibition openings and other events happening throughout the artist’s stay. Furthermore, Visiting Artists will be expected to become members of the Society of Northern Alberta Print-Artists covering the duration of their residency term and sign the standard SNAP Print- shop rental agreement outlining terms of use and liability as well as adhere to all health and safety protocols in place during the time of residency.

One print or artist proof from each edition printed during the residency must be provided to SNAP for retention in the print archive. The work produced during this residency must go towards the future TREX NW exhibition.

Submissions close at 5pm MST, May 16, 2025.

To apply please email your submissions to: jamie-lee@aggp.ca

For more information about this program, contact Curator/Manager Travelling Exhibitions Northwest, Jamie-Lee Cormier: jamie-lee@aggp.ca

Celebrating our 50th Anniversary!

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is excited to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2025!

Thank you to the many staff, board, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and funders who helped bring us to 2025. Your generosity and support have moved mountains!

We’re very lucky to have worked with so many talented artists, curators, storytellers, film makers, writers and creatives from our community and beyond.

During this very special year in 2025, we’re looking forward to sharing the archive images and stories from the last 50 years on our social media channels. These are the moments and the people who have shaped the Gallery.

Like us on Facebook @artgalleryofgp

We’re looking forward to welcoming the community to upcoming events planned for 2025 and the best way to stay up to date on the Gallery’s news and events is by signing up for our weekly e-newsletter.

Job Opportunity – Education Program Assistant

We’re hiring! The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is looking for an Education Program Assistant to join our team!

If you’re passionate about art, education, and community engagement, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact. In this role, you’ll lead tours and art projects, engage with visitors of all ages, and bring creativity to the community.

Work in a vibrant gallery setting, inspire creativity, and connect with local artists and educators! If you have a background in arts, education, or museum studies (or are working toward one!), we’d love to hear from you.

Application closing date: Sunday, April 20, 2025, 5:00PM MST

Download PDF version of this information

Position Title: Education Program Assistant
Reports To: Education and Public Program Coordinator
Location: Art Gallery of Grande Prairie (AGGP)
Employment Type: Permanent Part-Time, [20 Hours a week/ Tuesday to Friday alternating with Wednesday to Saturday]

Position Overview

The Education Program Assistant plays a key role in conducting tours, facilitating, promoting and designing all educational material for the Gallery. Reporting to the Education and Public Program Coordinator, the Education Program Assistant is a supporting position, providing all interpretive content to Gallery visitors. The ideal candidate is passionate about art, education, and community engagement, fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment for participants of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Key Responsibilities

● Program Delivery:
○ Coordinate interactive and educational art programs, workshops and tours for children, youth, adults and families.
○ Adapt programs to meet the needs of diverse audiences, including schools, community groups and accessibility-focused participants.

● Program Development:
○ Collaborate with the Education and Public Program Coordinator to create innovative programming that reflects the Gallery’s vision, mission and values.

● Community Engagement:
○ In this role, the Education Program Assistant is the face of the Gallery, strengthening relationships with schools, community organizations and other partners to promote participation in programs.
○ Represent the Gallery at community events and outreach initiatives to enhance visibility and engagement.

● Maintenance of Education Spaces and Materials:
○ Maintain the organization, cleanliness and functionality of the Gallery’s education spaces, ensuring they are safe, welcoming and conducive to learning.
○ Ensure proper storage and care of reusable resources.
○ Monitor and restock art supplies, tools and materials as needed.

● Artistic and Educational Leadership:
○ Provide guidance and inspiration to participants, fostering creativity and critical thinking.

Qualifications:

● A High School diploma or in the process of acquiring a certificate or degree in Education, Fine Arts, Art History, Museum Studies or a related field.

● Comfortable guiding art education programs in museums, galleries, schools or community settings.

● Keen interest in art making and teaching.

● Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect with diverse audiences.

● Organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.

● Proficiency in specific software/tools e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Zoom, Google and Microsoft Office Suite.

● Must be able to provide a clean Vulnerable Sector Check from RCMP.

Preferred Skills and Attributes:

● Familiarity with accessible learning environments.

● Comfortable engaging the public and public speaking.

● Reliability and a self- starter.

● Certification in first aid.

● Preference will be given to candidates who have a valid class 5 driver’s license and their own vehicle.

Work Environment:

● This position involves both onsite and offsite program facilitation (tours, workshops, etc.), with weekend hours required and occasional evening hours.

● The role involves physical activity, such as setting up art supplies, readying the classroom for programming, guiding participants through hands-on activities and lifting up to 50 lbs.

Compensation:

● [Salary/Wage Range] between $17 – $20 p/h based on experience.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility:
The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from gender diverse, 2SLGBTQI+ and individuals who are Indigenous, Black or People of Colour.

Please send a cover letter and CV to:

Subject: Education Program Assistant: AGGP
Email: hiring@elevationhr.ca

Application closing date: Sunday, April 20, 2025, 5:00PM MST

For more information about the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, please tour our website.

We thank all who may apply, however, only those who are being considered for an interview will be contacted.

Download PDF version of this information

18 Years Since Gallery Collapse

THE DAY OF THE COLLAPSE

On Monday, March 19, 2007, at 10:00 am the historic 1929 Grande Prairie High School that was the home to the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie (previously Prairie Art Gallery) suffered a collapse of the southern wing of the building. No one was injured and no artworks were significantly damaged. The building was built in 1929 and is one of the oldest brick buildings still standing in Grande Prairie. The building was designated a historic site in 1984.

March 19, 2007. Photo credit: Wen-Shu Huang (Gallery staff)

It was the quick thinking of Executive Director/Curator Robert Steven that helped the Gallery avoid even further loss that day. Early that morning, Robert saw the cracked beams in the ceiling of the Gallery’s south side exhibition space. He immediately notified Gallery staff and the teachers of the pre-school class of 20 children not to enter the building. He moved the artwork on display in the south gallery room to the north side, evacuated the site, guarded the door to ensure no one entered, and then called the City to investigate.

City staff arrived on site to inspect the building, both inside and out, and shockingly only moments after City workers left the building and staff looked on from the road, a third of the roof began to sag and the walls came crashing down.

March 19, 2007. Photo credit: Wen-Shu Huang (Gallery staff)

At the time, deputy fire Chief Harvey Pearson said, “They had left to take another look at it from a different point of view and, boom, it came down.”

Nearby buildings were evacuated in the event of further collapse, and gas and power were cutoff to the site. Only six months after moving with his family to Grande Prairie and starting his new position as Executive Director/Curator, Robert Steven stood alongside his staff and community and watched as the historic building’s walls fell.

FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE

In the days following the collapse, there were discussions about safely securing the site and retrieving the art collection. The Gallery sought advice from the Canadian Conservation Institute and connected with Tara Fraser, Senior Conservator of Paper and co-founder of Fraser Spafford Ricci Art & Archival Conservation. She arrived from Surrey, BC on March 22 to set up a recovery plan. Tara’s extensive experience and knowledge in the conservation and preservation of fine art paper was critical in preserving the works onsite and later during restoration of damaged works.

Also, during this time, engineers, City staff, and crews from local companies worked to remove the snow from the area and made plans to remove the 3,000 kg heating and ventilation unit to prevent further collapse to the structure.

March 2007. Photo credit: Wen-Shu Huang (Gallery staff)

On March 26th, one week after the collapse, artwork in the basement vault was removed by Gallery staff and board members under the supervision of the Grande Prairie Fire Department. All materials in the classrooms directly below the collapsed roof and in the upstairs gallery had to wait for removal of the debris from the surrounding building and were not removed until April 3. On March 28, a controlled demolition was carried out to safely remove the eastside wall of the south wing. At this time, it was debated whether the historic building would be restored.

March 2007. Photo credit: Wen-Shu Huang (Gallery staff)

Many concerned individuals in the community advocated for the preservation of the historical integrity of the collapsed Art Gallery of Grande Prairie and to continue action of the plan to integrate it into the architectural design of the new Montrose Cultural Centre (MCC.)

The groundbreaking for construction of the soon to be built multimillion-dollar Montrose Cultural Centre was scheduled that spring. After years of planning and fundraising, everything was in place to begin construction in May 2007, only two months from the time of the collapse in March. The project would attach the new home of the Grande Prairie Public Library and the expansion of the Gallery on 103 Ave, right next to where the collapse occurred.

Construction of the Montrose Cultural Centre moved forward, the Gallery staff found temporary offices and collection storage in the Station 97 area downtown, and truckloads of Gallery’s materials were stored in several areas throughout the city. The historic 1929 high school building sat empty and boarded up while its future was unknown.

May 2011. Photo credit: Melanie Jenner (Gallery staff)

RESTORATION PROJECT

In an eight to one vote in June 2007, City council recommended the building be demolished, but because the building had heritage status, they needed to wait for provincial approval.

In December 2008, the Minister of Cultural and Community Spirit, Lindsay Blackett, sent the City of Grande Prairie a letter supporting the repair of the provincially designated historic site. This support from the Government of Alberta led to the 2007 decision to demolish the building being revoked when City council unanimously voted on December 15, 2008, in support of the building being restored.

While construction of the MCC continued, plans started for the restoration of the high school building, including working with architects on redesigning the interior of the Gallery and how it would connect to the MCC, securing the general contractor, and setting construction schedules.

September 2011. Photo credit: Melanie Jenner (Gallery staff)

In May 2009, the City of Grande Prairie received the news of a $5.6 million grant for the Gallery’s repairs from the federal and provincial governments through the Build Canada Fund. Construction began on the restoration of the historic Grande Prairie high school in the Fall of 2010.

Chandos Construction of Edmonton was the general contractor of the $6.7 million project. Teeple Architects (Toronto) who designed the MCC were tasked to redesign the restoration of the historic high school building and spaces the Gallery would call home again.

September 2011. Photo credit: Melanie Jenner (Gallery staff)

In somewhat of a blessing in disguise, the redesign was an opportunity to provide the building with a new steel structure and transform the existing two levels into three levels. The original designs from 2007 essentially kept the interior of the high school building the same while connecting to the MCC. By adding another level, the redesign provided more stability to the framework, more exhibition space for the Gallery, and a continued style of the MCC.

RESTORATION COMPLETED

Five years after the collapse, and after living in temporary offices or in the newly built MCC, (with only one exhibition room and no classroom, workshop or storage,) the Gallery finally reopened. The historic building was fully restored and fully integrated with the Gallery spaces in the Montrose Cultural Centre in 2012. A large grande opening was held in September 2012 during Alberta Culture Days.

August 2012. Exterior view of the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie and restored 1929 Grande Prairie High School. Photo credit: Teeple Architects

The Gallery reopened with a classroom for programming, five addition spaces to host exhibitions, a second vault to store the Permanent Collection, storage space, and a workshop to build crates, not to mention the final home the Green Space. A program that started in 2009, became a pop-up space within the Gallery as it moved to different rooms during different exhibitions. The completion of the restored building allowed for the Green Space to find its permanent home on the second level of the Gallery.

ABOUT THE NAME

Since 1910, the land has been known as “Montrose” and the name was given by settler and community builder, Agnes Forbes. It was named after her home in a region of Scotland and was the site of the historic Grande Prairie High School that was built in 1929. The site was also the location of other schools, including the Montrose Junior High School, which was torn down and removed in 1994.

Weaving My Thoughts workshop / Elsa Robinson

Join us for artist Elsa Robinson’s upcoming workshop “Weaving My Thoughts” on Friday, March 21st.

In this all-ages workshop, participants will learn basic weaving techniques, integrating a variety of materials into their work, including: jute cord, ribbons, beads, safety pins and shells. Participants will be able to work individually or in pairs to complete the project.

“Weaving My Thoughts”

Friday, March 21, 2025
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Art Gallery of Grande Prairie
Open to all ages with help from parent /guardian
FREE! All materials provided. Limited Space – Call 780-532-8111 to register.

About the artist:

Elsa Robinson is a Jamaican-Canadian multidisciplinary artist and instructor based in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton). Her decades-long devotion to her visual art practice imbues her work with vibrancy, versatility and an intuitive spiritual poignancy. Through years of study as a self-taught artist, a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta’s Art and Design program and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Vermont College of Fine Art, Elsa has honed the ability to transmit her deep love and care for humanity using painting, collage, sculpture, installations, dance and theatre. In 2012 Elsa received the Fill Fraser Award for Outstanding Work in Visual Arts, from the National Black Coalition of Canada. In 2022, she was shortlisted for the Eldon and Anne Foote Edmonton Visual Arts Prize, and she received the The Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta) for her role as a community builder. In 2023, Elsa received the 2023 Artist of the Year RISE Award from the Centre for Newcomers, Edmonton. Elsa has served as a board member for Harcourt House Artist Run Centre, Edmonton Arts Council, Ribbon Rouge Foundation and Latitude 53 Gallery.

Reconnect – Exhibition Opening Reception

Coming up next —> Elsa Robinson’s solo exhibition “Reconnect” opens on March 20th!

”Reconnect” presents an installation of soft sculptures, speaking to the theme of reconnecting and returning to the self. The work invites the viewer to arrive at their full potential, returning to the knowingness within.

Artist website: https://www.elsarobinson.com/

Curated by: Jessica Groome

Opening Reception: March 20, 2025 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.

The exhibition runs from March 20 – June 1 2025

Artwork in the poster: Elsa Robinson, Possibilities (detail), Mixed media installation, h 11’ x w 8’ x d 8’, 2020. Photo: Courtesy of the Artist

Artist Talk w/ Aurel Tchoumo Tsafack

Thursday February 20th at 6PM

In recognition of Black History Month, the TREX Program and the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie are pleased to host Aurel Tchoumo Tsafack as he shares his art practice and artworks currently in the Travelling Exhibition (TREX), Self Reflection.

Artist Statement:

My artwork is a contemplation, a research on my African cultural identity, which is gradually being wiped out by technology, pollution, and abusive exploitation of my birth land. It is also a questioning on the colonial education imposed on my childhood and that of many other youths in Africa by the colonial masters.

To express these ideas, I chose mixed media because it allows me more freedom to navigate through these complex ideas of mine. More so, when I assemble different found objects it usually paves the paths to other ideas hence making found objects a great source of inspiration for my art. It is sometimes during the assembly process that my creativity expands just like
an orchestra playing and building on different notes which ends up producing soothing auditory jazz sounds.

Vibrant colors have always been one of the major ways by which African culture is expressed. In my work colors inherently have a symbolic nature in many areas as they represent a variety of emotions, traditions, spirituality and victories. For example, Yellow and gold represent wealth, spirituality, wisdom, fertility and beauty. Black stands for royalty, maturity, spiritual energy and death. Blue on its part, is love, abundance, harmony and togetherness. Similarly, I use vibrant colors to give life to my paintings despite the fact that they depict the dark stories of colonialism, economic exploitation, and slavery, which are systematically hidden today.

In addition, I reinterpret old masters artworks using “black” figures and African symbols to captivate my audience and engage them in a discussion with the piece. Doing so is also a means for me to revive black art which was for centuries under-looked and not given its right value. For centuries, Africa has experienced turmoil which has led to the loss of a big portion of her culture leaving many African youth today like me in search for their lost identity.

Click here read more about the TREX Exhibition, Self Reflection.

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