An Alberta A(r)ttitude

Organized by the Illingworth Kerr Gallery in celebration of the Alberta University of the Arts’ 100th anniversary in 2026  

It started in 1926, with bold strokes of charcoal on paper in the evening art classes held at the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art. One hundred years later, boundary-breaking creative visions come to fruition in the classrooms and studios at the Alberta University of the Arts. 

For a century, AUArts has held a vital role as a hub of creative exploration in Alberta. In celebration of the university’s centennial, An Alberta A(r)ttitude showcases eight exceptional graduates from the past two decades—artists who embody the fearless spirit that has always defined our institution. 

What sets AUArts artists apart? We don't just observe culture—we create it. Born from expansive prairies and soaring peaks, shaped by economic booms and busts, and driven by an ambitious energy, we uphold a steadfast vision. AUArts artists use creativity in powerful ways: as a mirror to reflect our society, as a tool to challenge power structures, as a voice to speak truth and tell stories that offer new possibilities, and as a way to see our changing world differently.

The artists in this exhibition represent more than individual talent—they embody a collective community shaped by decades of creative education, experimentation, and development. In their work, we see an Alberta a(r)ttitude: fierce, unwavering, and entirely unique. The future of art, design, and culture doesn't just happen here—it begins here.