Workshops

Workshop: Meditation and Chanting > April 16th

Pheli Dlamini

Participants at this workshop, connected to their inner intuition and collective energy, and stimulated their creativity in this guided meditation and chanting workshop with licensed Science of Mind Practitioner Pheli Dlamini. Take the time to shut out the outside world and focus within. Dlamini states: “I believe future societies will live in this way, being connected within; from that connection, anything is possible, especially creativity.”

Date Night at Esker > April 12th

Spring is in the air, let Esker be your host for date night! Drawing inspiration from our current exhibitions, participants had the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and create their own artworks while honing their creative skills. Impress your date with your art know-how in this fun hands-on workshop, while sampling wine and enjoying appetizers. Stay tuned for more Date Nights!

Workshop: Speculative Science Fiction Poetry and Collage > March 23rd

Craig Fahner

In his video works, Jeremy Shaw nods to a post-human future by digging into the past. Through the superimposition of text upon found footage, Shaw generates a work of speculative science fiction by collaging elements from past and present media. Harkening back to the cut-up poetry technique of the Dadaist movement, participants in this workshop created collaged vignettes that meld the imagery of the past with contemporary text, creating snapshots of potential futures. This workshop began with a presentation on remix and collage techniques, with a focus on the practices of the Dadaist art movement. Participants were provided with a number of sources from which to construct and caption collages.

Artist Advocacy + Advice: Free Drop-In! > March 9th

Dick Averns

Dick Averns, CARFAC Alberta’s Engagement Coordinator based in Calgary is available to hear from members and visual artists about concerns, issues or professional development needs.  The aim is to share information on CARFAC’s support for artists through best practices, advocating for sustainable fee structures, and sharing advice on the services CARFAC offers members. For example; exhibition practices, copyright, international shipping, insurance, the Canadian Gallery Guide, and many other topics. Registration is not required: just drop in to chat and connect. Arriving at 2pm will help ensure you’re on the roster.

Workshop: Collage and Painting > March 2nd

Ashleigh Bartlett

This workshop drew inspiration from Neil Campbell’s exhibition wheatfield. With an emphasis on geometric abstraction, rule-based painting, and collage, participants investigated scale, materials, and process. Ashleigh Bartlett discussed Campbell’s interest in painting on the wall, art and magic, the senses, and the importance of the human scale. Participants cut, paste, and painted to create a series of abstract visual outcomes.

Workshop: Drawing the Line > December 1st

Sondra Meszaros

Please note: new revised date. Using the exploration of line and the grid in Esker’s fall exhibitions, this workshop will bring together the intellectual and emotional experiences that inform drawing processes. Through instinctual and rhythmic mark-making, participants will explore their individual creative vocabularies by becoming aware of methods that register differences in tone and texture. Through a number of experimentations, you will develop a series of drawings that pay special attention to the sensitivities and subtleties of touch. All materials will be provided, and participants are encouraged to come ready to be open to new materials and processes. 16+ only. Registration essential.

Date Night at Esker > November 30th

Come escape the winter chill and let Esker be your host for date night! Drawing inspiration from our current exhibitions, you will have the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and create your own artwork while honing your creative skills. Impress your date with your art know-how in this fun hands-on workshop, while sampling feature local wines and enjoying appetizers provided by Scarpetta Italian Eatery. After the program, continue your date at Scarpetta and receive a 15% discount off your meals. Adults 18+ only, cash bar, registration essential.

Workshop: Introduction to Linocut > November 24th November 24th

Mark Eadie

Join Calgary-based artist Mark Eadie for an introductory class in linocut printmaking. Participants will learn the basics of this form of printmaking including a short history of the medium, tools, techniques, registration, editioning, hand printing, and using a printing press. Alberta Printmakers is generously providing some of the support materials for this program and the rest of the materials will be included 16+ only. Registration essential.  

Workshop: Introduction to Silkscreen > November 3rd November 3rd

Heather Huston

Wear your artwork home in this basic silkscreen class with local printmaker Heather Huston. Participants will learn the fundamentals of the silkscreen process and work with paper stencils to print simple designs inspired by the current exhibiting artists on a t-shirt or other cotton fabrics. Alberta Printmakers is generously providing some of the support materials for this program. Participants are asked to bring a cotton t-shirt or other garment on which to screenprint. 16+ only. Registration essential.  

Workshop: It’s Alive! Urban Botanical Watercolour > October 13th

Jennifer Wanner

Inspired by the fall Project Space exhibition, Jennifer Wanner will discuss the intersections of art and science, as well as watercolour, collage, and drawing techniques. Participants will invent a new plant life form by collaging together both native and introduced dried and pressed plant specimens collected in the Calgary area throughout the summer. Your new collaged-creation will be translated into a botanical watercolour painting using the grid method. All materials will be provided. 16+ only. Registration essential.

Craft-Along Workshop > August 17th

Veronica Murphy

What are some of the ways that we can take our craft skills to the next level of artistic expression? Enjoy an exhibition tour of Anna Torma: Book of Abandoned Details and then join Veronica Murphy from STASH for a craft-along and casual discussion at the gallery about pushing your crafting boundaries in your own work. Bring your most inspiring fibre craft supplies for the craft-along – knitters, crocheters, stitchers, spinners, and weavers are all welcome. Participants must be over the age of 16.

Workshop: Appliqué Bunting > August 11th

Caitlin Thompson

Drawing on the surface design techniques of the summer exhibitions, this workshop will bring together stitches and symbols in the form of appliqué bunting. Although bunting is often seen as decoration, Thompson will discuss the history of appliqué and how the international textile trade has influenced this resourceful technique. Each participant will create their own triangular “tammy” flag, embellished with appliqué and embroidery stitches learned in the workshop. All materials will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring textiles and scraps of fabric to be incorporated into their flag. Participants must be over the age of 12.  

Workshop: From Lyrical Line to Wearable Wire Jewellery > July 28th

Joan Irvin

Observe, design, experiment, create!  Join local jewellery artist, Joan Irvin (ACAD), for a tour of Vanessa Brown’s exhibition, The Witching Hour. Afterwards, head into the studio for some creative alchemy of your own. Participants will work with copper and silver wire. All materials will be provided. No previous jewellery experience is required but participants must be over the age of 16.  

Workshop: Introduction to Sashiko > July 21st

Jolie Bird

During this day-long workshop, participants will explore ‘sash(i)ko,’ a rural hand stitching technique from Northern Japan. Working with traditional patterns and natural fabrics from Bird’s collection, participants will work on a stitch sampler alongside a centerpiece or wall hanging. All materials will be included. Participants must be over the age of 16.  

PLACEHOLDER: It’s your turn to talk! with d.talks > June 23rd

Join d.talks, in collaboration with Esker Foundation, at PLACEHOLDER. This is an unconventional book club where we present the theme of the afternoon and you bring your own book, poem, or object that you feel best articulates that theme. This is an opportunity for Calgarians to critically discuss and identify how the city and citizens affect and are impacted by local and global themes borne out of the work of Esker’s current exhibiting artists. Let’s form a new narrative in Calgary together! The theme of this PLACEHOLDER will be Thresholds. Registration essential.

Stitch your Stories! Embroidery Workshop > May 27th

Anna Torma

Learn reverse appliqué and other stitching techniques in this half-day workshop with Anna Torma. We will spend the afternoon learning basic stitching methods and design skills and will incorporate our own personal histories and visions into an embroidery project. Silks and linens will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own treasures to incorporate into their project. Participants must be over the age of 12. Registration essential.

Colour Theory Workshop > April 28th

Silas Kaufman

How does colour effect our emotions? Why do some colours excite us while others seem to calm us down? Join illustrator and instructor Silas Kaufman and explore colour as a way to communicate emotion and energy. Participants will learn the basics of colour theory and design, producing a range of abstract images. Participants must be over the age of 16. All materials will be provided. Registration essential.

PLACEHOLDER: It’s your turn to talk! with d.talks > April 14th

Join d.talks, in collaboration with Esker Foundation, at PLACEHOLDER. This is an unconventional book club where we present the theme of the afternoon and you bring your own book, poem, or object that you feel best articulates the theme. This is an opportunity for Calgarians to critically discuss and identify how our city and citizens affect and are impacted by local and global themes borne out in the work of Esker’s current exhibiting artists. Let’s form a new narrative in Calgary together! The theme of this PLACEHOLDER will be Protection. Registration essential.

Date Night at Esker > April 13th

Come chase the winter blues away and let Esker be your host for date night! Drawing inspiration from our current exhibitions, you will have the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and create your own artwork while honing your creative skills. Impress your date with your art know-how in this fun hands-on workshop, while enjoying appetizers provided by 500Cucina as well as a 15% discount on dinner at the restaurant after the workshop. Adults 18+ only, cash bar, registration essential.

Small Cuts: Cut-Paper Animation Workshop > March 24th

DaveandJenn

DaveandJenn will lead participants through a short introduction into the history and creation of cut-paper animations as well as talk about their own artistic process and the inspirations that went into their site-specific work, Paradise for an in-between time in the Esker’s Project Space. Participants will get a chance to make their own cut-out paper creation which will then be included in a group animated sequence. Participants must be over the age of 16. All materials will be provided.

Unpleasant Design Workshop: We Will Make You Do It > March 3rd

Selena Savić

At the Unpleasant Design workshop, participants will use persuasive and coercive design techniques to invent designs that target specific social strata or behaviors in public space. The workshop will include an Unpleasant City Tour as a way to identify existing designs and possible new targets. We will brainstorm about possible unpleasant designs specific to the city of Calgary. Finally, we will craft Unpleasant Design prototypes that the participants can consider implementing in public spaces of the future. Participants must be over the age of 16. All materials will be provided. Registration essential.

Small Cuts: Cut-Paper Animation Workshop > February 24th

DaveandJenn

DaveandJenn will lead participants through a short introduction into the history and creation of cut-paper animations as well as talk about their own artistic process and the inspirations that went into their site-specific work, Paradise for an in-between time in the Esker’s Project Space. Participants will get a chance to make their own cut-out paper creation which will then be included in a group animated sequence. Participants must be over the age of 16. All materials will be provided.