Fix, Fire, Forge

This exhibition reveals the double lives of the skilled technicians who support two of Alberta’s studio art programs—at AUArts and Red Deer Polytechnic. These are the quiet experts behind the scenes: the ones who fix broken tools, guide student projects, and maintain creative spaces.

Yet outside of work hours, they pursue their own rigorous studio practices. Sculpture, installation, jewellery, film, fibre; each object here is a glimpse into their personal research, humour, and material mastery.

Fix, Fire, Forge celebrates the technician as both mentor and maker. By pulling back the curtain, we honour the ethos of care, skill, and rebellion that defines their work—in and beyond the classroom.

Participating artists: 

Brett Hollingsworth (BFA '09, Jewellery and Metals and Educational Art Technician, Jewellery), Bridget Fairbank (Educational Art Technician, Ceramics), Dara Humniski (Educational Art Technician, Woodshop), Jane Trash (BFA '04, Print Media and Educational Art Technician, Print Media), Jolie Bird (BFA '98, Textiles and Educational Art Technician, Fibre), Kyle Whitehead (BFA ‘07, Media Arts and Educational Art Technician, Media Arts), Logan Lape (Educational Art Technician, Sculpture), Nate McLeod (Manager, Studio Operations), Selené Huff, Tayler Shell