David Leinster

Proud and honoured to be with rivers and kin to celebrate Dr. @fheavyshield whose art was recognized with an honorary Doctor of Letters from @emilycarru Mother, grandmother, auntie, mentor, artist, friend and board member of @contemporarycalgary — Faye’s generosity and presence continue to shape so many lives and communities. Beautifully, rows among the graduates were left not empty, but in honour of those who are no longer with us. I found myself thinking of Morris — with us still, through memory, through art, and through the communities he helped build with such care and joy. Absence. Presence. Always.

Today, the arts community mourns the loss of our dear friend, Morris Dancyger. Many know that Morris was a survivor of the Holocaust — one of the children of Auschwitz — he shared this story to many. He was liberated, but lost so much. It would be understandable for an experience like that to harden your heart. Instead, Morris was the person I knew with the purest light and greatest joy for life. Morris became a highly successful pharmacist and entrepreneur, and through that success he supported many things: his family, his community, and the arts. How he loved the arts.  If you have ever visited Morris and Ann’s home, there is art from the baseboards to the ceilings. I used to joke with Morris that he could have saved money by not painting the walls underneath. He was involved with IMCA in the early days, and alongside his wife Ann, became the first Honorary Chair of the LOOK Gala in 2014. Morris was a constant supporter of the vision of Contemporary Calgary, and we were so proud to name the historic public observatory the Morris and Ann Dancyger Observatory Gallery, which opened in 2024. To have known Morris, and to have called him a true friend, is one of the greatest gifts I have received leading this organization. The Observatory at the Centennial Planetarium was always a place to look up — to connect with the stars and the heavens above. And now, whenever I am in that space, surrounded by beautiful art, I will also be looking up and remembering my beautiful friend, Morris. It is the gallery we have closest to the sky, closest to our dear friend. May his memory be a blessing for us all.

We would like to congratulate Marigold Santos and Rajni Perera on their presentation of Efflorescence / The Way We Wake at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia – In Minor Keys, curated by the late Koyo Kouoh. Contemporary Calgary is proud to be a touring partner for this significant body of work, having hosted Rajni Perera & Marigold Santos: Efflorescence / The Way We Wake—curated by Cheryl Sim and produced and circulated by PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art—in our Ring Gallery from November 21, 2024, to April 6, 2025. It is incredibly exciting to celebrate these artists and their work on the international stage. Our CEO David Leinster, Chief Curator Mona Filip, and Senior Curator Kanika Anand were thrilled to be in Venice to celebrate in person during opening week. 💫 Congratulations Rajni & Marigold 💫 𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 / 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙮 𝙒𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙠𝙚 
2023–26 
60” x 96” x 48” Polymer clay, foam, plaster coat, Japanese paper, paint, ink, metallic powder, synthetic hair, wood, plastic, aluminum. #BiennaleArte2026 #InMinorKeys #RajniPerera #MarigoldSantos

Contemporary Calgary is proud to serve as an Institutional Partner for the Canada Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. In his site-specific installation, Entre chien et loup, Abbas Akhavan reimagines the pavilion’s architecture as a Wardian case—a precursor to the terrarium used to transport plants throughout the British Empire. The installation features a custom pool of giant Victoria water lilies, germinated in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK) and the Botanical Garden of the University of Padua (IT). The title Entre chien et loup—literally “between dog and wolf”—evokes the indeterminate nature of twilight, when distinctions blur and a wolf might be mistaken for a dog. In this liminal space, the exhibition invites us to reconsider our relationship to the natural and built worlds. CEO David Leinster, Chief Curator Mona Filip, and Senior Curator Kanika Anand were thrilled to be in Venice to celebrate the opening of this project, following our presentation of Akhavan’s work at Contemporary Calgary in the group exhibition, Presence (June 26—November 9, 2025), curated by Kanika Anand. Abbas Akhavan: Entre chien et loup is on view in Venice through November 22, 2026. @NatGalleryCan // @mbacanada  
#CanadaPavilion #AbbasAkhavan #BiennaleArte2026 [1-5] Installation view, Abbas Akhavan: Entre chien et loup, 2026, Canada Pavilion, 61st InternationalArt Exhibition–La Biennale di Venezia.Commissioned by the National Gallery of Canada and presented in partnership with the National Gallery of Canada Foundation and the Canada Council for the Arts.© Abbas Akhavan. Photo: Francesco Barasciutti.

Reflecting on the community that made the LOOK26 Gala: Off The Path, presented by MAWER, possible 🦋 The success of this gala is a testament to the collective generosity of our sponsors, gallerists, artists, donors, volunteers, and gala guests. These contributions are a vital force in sustaining Contemporary Calgary’s mission, providing the community with meaningful access to contemporary art and ideas. We are so grateful to this year’s LOOK26 Curators, DaveandJenn (@hermeticferns ), for taking us Off The Path, and extend a special thank you to our Honorary Chairs Bruce Kuwabara, OC, Linda and Mike Shaikh, CM, and Peter Tertzakian, as well as returning Title Sponsors: 💫 Presenting Sponsor: @mawerinvestmentmanagement 
💫 VIP Dinner Sponsor: @holtrenfrew 
💫 Art Auction Supporter: @queenbelayer 
💫 After Party Sponsor: @ryngreen 
💫 Entertainment Sponsor: @cowboysmusicfestival 
💫 Culinary Art Partner: @concorde.group The evening moved from an intimate HOLT RENFREW VIP Dinner—with a dining experience beautifully delivered by CONCORDE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP—into a high-energy celebration. The gallery transformed for the Cabaret, where the LOOK26 Art Auction supported by HEATHER EDWARDS took centre stage. The auction saw a 100% sell-through rate of 88 works, totalling $583,356. Silent auction works by Kablusiak, John Will, and David Thauberger sold for twice their fair market value. In the Live Auction, a white-glove sale led by Stephen Ranger, Pascale Ouellet’s MISSING NOAH 33 realized over 200% of its appraised value. L.L. FitzGerald’s Birch Woods, donated by board member Dr. John Lacey, CM, sold for 125% of its value—his third major historical contribution to the LOOK Auction. The night’s energy was driven by an otherworldly entertainment lineup sponsored by COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL, featuring performances by TR/ST, The Hacker, Hermitess, Dan Solo, and DJ Hannah, carrying into a late-night celebration at the RYAN GREEN After Party. Thank you for joining us Off The Path and for your continued support—you make what we do possible. 📸 Relive the Revelry + Share: Visit our link in bio for event photos by @philcrozier .

What a night✨Together, we welcomed 1,200 guests, raising $1.2 million in vital support of Contemporary Calgary’s ambitious exhibitions and public programs. LOOK26 Gala: Off The Path, presented by MAWER, was an absolute dream. Brought to life by local artist duo and Gala Curators DaveandJenn, the evening moved from an intimate HOLT RENFREW VIP Dinner—with a dining experience beautifully delivered by CONCORDE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP—into a high-energy celebration. The gallery transformed for the Cabaret, where the LOOK26 Art Auction supported by HEATHER EDWARDS took center stage alongside art activations and live performances that carried into the RYAN GREEN After Party. The night’s energy was driven by an otherworldly entertianment lineup sponsored by COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL, featuring sets from TR/ST (@trstonline ), The Hacker (@the_hacker_amato ), Hermitess (@_hermitess_ ), Dan Solo (@dadsolo_ ), and DJ Hannah (@dj_hannah_ ). We are deeply grateful to our Honorary Chairs Bruce Kuwabara, OC, Linda and Mike Shaikh, CM, and Peter Tertzakian, for lending their distinguished support. Heartfelt THANKS to the sponsors, galleries, artists, donors, volunteers, and guests whose generosity made the evening possible and who continue to shape the future of contemporary art in our city. Thank you for joining us Off The Path! 📸 Stay tuned: We can’t wait to share the official event photography with you soon! 💫 Presenting Sponsor: @mawerinvestmentmanagement 💫 VIP Dinner Sponsor: @holtrenfrew 💫 Art Auction Supporter: @queenbelayer 💫 After Party Sponsor: @ryngreen 💫 Entertainment Sponsor: @cowboysmusicfestival 💫 Culinary Art Partner: @concorde.group #LOOK26Gala #ContemporaryCalgary #OffThePath #YYCArts

LOOK2026

🌟 Meet our LOOK26 Honorary Chairs 🌟 Each year, we have the privilege of honoring outstanding members of our art community who help shape this city, province, and country. This year, we are thrilled to shine a light on an incredible group of Honorary Chairs whose profound impact and steadfast support for the arts are so deserving of recognition. ➡️ Bruce Kuwabara, OC, is one of Canada’s most influential architects and a founding partner of KPMB Architects. His work has shaped the country’s most significant contemporary art spaces, including Remai Modern and the Gardiner Museum, and the Ottawa Art Gallery, as well as the forthcoming Vancouver Art Gallery. As the lead designer of the Contemporary Calgary Centennial Planetarium Transformation Project, Bruce has brought both vision and sensitivity to this landmark undertaking, honoring the building’s architectural legacy while reimagining its future as a dynamic cultural destination. ➡️ Linda and Mike Shaikh, CM, are among Calgary’s most respected philanthropists and champions of the arts. Through their generosity and leadership, they have helped build a cultural landscape that is more open, inclusive, and welcoming to all. Their support spans a wide range of initiatives, grounded in a deep belief in the power of art to connect people. At Contemporary Calgary and beyond, the Shaikhs lead by example—fostering creativity and encouraging others to invest in Calgary’s cultural future. ➡️ Peter Tertzakian is a renowned energy economist, author, and strategist known for his ability to build connections across complex systems. At Contemporary Calgary, Peter’s impact has been profound; as our most recent past Board Chair, he provided steady leadership and positioned the organization as a vital civic partner. A strong advocate for innovation, he championed key projects like the Morris and Ann Dancyger Observatory Gallery and the transformation of the Heather Edwards Theatre. We are deeply grateful to Bruce Kuwabara, Linda and Mike Shaikh, and Peter Tertzakian for lending their distinguished support to the LOOK26 Gala: Off The Path, presented by MAWER. #ContemporaryCalgary #ArtAuction #LOOK26

LOOK26 Art Auction is Now Live! We invite you to join us tonight from 5–9 PM to celebrate the opening of the LOOK26 Art Auction exhibition supported by HEATHER EDWARDS. Bid now on incredible artworks in our silent auction until 12:00 AM on May 3, 2026. The live auction will take place during the LOOK26 Gala: Off The Path, presented by MAWER, on May 2 in the Dome Theatre. To bid live, a HOLT RENFREW VIP Dinner or Cabaret ticket is required. Limited seating is available and will be prioritized for participating bidders. We request that you register in advance to secure your paddle and place at the auction. Visit our link in bio to explore the auction and view our full list of contributing artists 🔗 Absentee and live telephone bidding options are available. To learn more or to register for the live auction, contact us at: [email protected] View the works in person ⤵️ Beginning April 3, view both live and silent auction artworks at Contemporary Calgary. Gallery hours: Wed–Sat: 12–7 PM / Sun: 12–5 PM #ContemporaryCalgary #LOOK26 #ArtAuction #YYCArts

LOOK26 Gala: Off The Path, presented by MAWER, returns on May 2 for an unforgettable night of revelry. Brought to life by the talented minds of local artist duo DaveandJenn (@hermeticferns ), this year’s LOOK Gala transforms the gallery into a fantastical forest of layered worlds and untamed delight. Whether you join us for the full night or slip in after dark, LOOK is your opportunity to support Contemporary Calgary and celebrate the magic of art and community. Tickets are on sale now. We can’t wait to see you off the path. Thank you to our sponsors ⤵️ Presented by: MAWER (@mawerinvestmentmanagement ) VIP Dinner Sponsor: HOLT RENFREW (@holtrenfrew ) Art Auction supported by: HEATHER EDWARDS (@queenbelayer ) After Party Sponsor: RYAN GREEN (@ryngreen ) Entertainment Sponsor: Cowboys Music Festival (@cowboysmusicfestival ) Culinary Art Partner: Concorde Entertainment Group (@concorde.group ) #ContemporaryCalgary #LOOK26Gala #OffThePath #DaveandJenn #YYCEvents

And…she’s off. We dropped Redmond off yesterday for her first year at Lethbridge University, where she’s starting a Biological Sciences degree. Of course, we’re beaming with pride and so excited for all that she’ll experience this year. And, yes, this transition has been hard—with her being our first to leave home—even if she’s only an hour and forty-five minutes away! She means so much to our tight-knit crew, and it will be different without her here. But it will also be okay. Mostly, I’m just thrilled for her. She has an amazing dorm room overlooking the river valley, a pretty incredible group of roommates, and most importantly—she’s happy. And that’s what matters. So, three cheers for Red. She’s a strong, independent, and smart young woman we’re so proud of. You’re on your way, my dear girl—we’ll see you soon!

20 Years Married! 💍✨ Sharing a few photos today — including one of the house on St. Mary’s Street in Antigonish, where it all started. We each rented a room in that old place near St. FX, surrounded by a cast of characters, none of whom knew each other. But Colleen and I became fast friends — and for the first half of the year, that’s all it was. Until it became undeniable that it was something more. Last night, we went out to dinner to mark our 20th wedding anniversary. The waiter asked us: “What’s the secret to a long marriage?” “How do you get through the tough times?” He gave us until the end of the meal to answer… but forgot to follow up. So here’s a thought or two. 💬 Marry someone you consider a true friend first. There’s something elemental about building a relationship on that kind of foundation. And for the second question: If you can, have kids. Four of them. Because when it gets hard, having people to set an example for — to show what love and kindness looks like — keeps you moving through. We are so darn lucky to have Redmond, Quinn, Jude, and Matilda! Colleen and I are polar opposites, but it works. Not always easy, not always hard. It’s dynamic. We keep learning — how to be ourselves and how to lean on each other. I’m very lucky to have Colleen. Everyone I know reminds me of this. A lot. She’s the yin to my yang. She’s my gravity. Hard to believe it’s been 20 years! Here’s to the next chapter. ❤️ #20YearsMarried #Anniversary #stfx #FamilyFirst