Sparrow Artspace is located in the historic deWaal building (b.1910) in Bridgeland, in Mohkinstis (Blackfoot for “elbow” where the two rivers meet, otherwise known as Calgary). Sparrow Artspace gratefully acknowledges that we stand on Treaty 7 territory, ancestral home to the Blackfoot Confederacy (which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Stoney-Nakoda First Nations, (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations), the Tsuut'ina First Nation, and the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
Background image by November 2022 artist-in-residence, Milo Dlouhy.
ABOUT
NEW! Sparrow Artspace is now being operated by Sparrow Arts Society, a not-for-profit organization! More information coming soon . . .
Sparrow Artspace is a vibrant, inclusive, community-focused arts nest in the historic DeWaal Building in Bridgeland, Calgary. Sparrow offers monthly residencies that foster artists' creative development, collaboration, and exhibition within a supportive community. Each month, the space undergoes a transformation as artists express their unique vision through an array of diverse art forms. Sparrow thrives as an active hub dedicated to exploring creativity, collaboration, and community through various engaging events and workshops.
From July 2021 until November 2023, Sparrow Artspace was a privately owned enterprise, supported by private financing, partially contributed by an anonymous donor and partly by Sandra Neill who also volunteered her time to manage the residency program. We are currently transitioning to Sparrow Arts Society, a not-for-profit organization. Sparrow Arts Society provides inclusive opportunities for diverse artists to create, exhibit, collaborate and engage with the community. The newly formed Society will be managing Sparrow Artspace under the direction of Sandra Neill who is the President of the board. Stay tuned for more information about our board and other news!
Sparrow Artspace, established in July 2021, has quickly become a vibrant hub for emerging and established artists. This dynamic art space has been a haven for various art forms, including fibre and textile art, painting, mixed media, ceramics, sculpture, and photography. Each month, Sparrow Artspace welcomes artists from diverse backgrounds for their residency programs, fostering a creative and collaborative environment. In addition to their personal projects, artists have actively engaged with the community through a wide range of events, workshops, and drop-in art activities. These activities have included healing arts workshops, felting sessions, photo walks using low-tech cameras, Indigenous land-based talks paired with cyanotype workshops, inner child creative workshops, Hanfu life drawing classes, and even workshops where children teach the adults. Sparrow Artspace has not only provided a space for artistic exploration and expression but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration among its resident artists, resulting in the creation of innovative and inspired works.
Drop by for a visit to learn more about Sparrow Artspace and meet the artists or join our email list to be invited to one of our events.
Background image by October 2022 artist-in-residence
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Artists-in-residence explore their own creativity as well as inspire and potentially nurture the creativity of anyone who walks into the space. We believe that everyone is creative.
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Artist residencies are for two or more artists. Sparrow provides a space for something new to emerge when artists work together - either in a collaborative piece or simply by working side by side. Artists are also encouraged to collaborate with Sandra (mama bird) and anyone who walks in the space.
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We encourage artists-in-residence to reach out to the community in a way that is unique to them. Sparrow aspires to be a community hub where everyone belongs and can explore their own creativity. We also invite past artists-in-residence, and artists from the community, into the space to host workshops and events.
Through sponsorships and collaboration, Sparrow has supported community art organizations such as the Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation, Urban Society of Aboriginal Youth, Exposure Photography Festival, and the Colouring it Forward Reconciliation Society.
We value creativity, collaboration and community.
Why sparrow? Sparrow Artspace wishes to embody the spirit of the sparrow as symbolic of creativity, community, collaboration, communal environment, friendly, caring, working together, simplicity, empowerment, inclusion, resourcefulness, helping spirits, and joy.
Sandra Neill - mama bird
Sparrow Artspace now being operated by the newly formed SPARROW ARTS SOCIETY led by Sandra Neill, who has a passion for the arts with 30+ years of arts-related experience (ArtCity, Cultural District, ACAD, Art Central) and a Certificate in Arts & Culture Management. Sandra and her family created Art Central in the early 2000’s and she missed being in such a creative community. Her intention is to bring the spirit of Art Central to this wee space and for this Sparrow to spread her wings out in the community by supporting and collaborating with art organizations and artists.
Sandra is interested in how the arts can intersect with community building to create meaningful connection, engagement, and a sense of belonging, in her previous role as Engagement Director in Crescent Heights. Sandra is still involved with the Mini Galleries in Rotary Park in Crescent Heights. Sandra is honoured and humbled to join the board (May 2022) of the Colouring it Forward Reconciliation Society!
Sparrow Artspace is a creative experiment for Sandra as she provides an incubator space for testing new creative ideas, artistic collaborations, and community connections.
Contact us.
sandra@sparrowartspace.com
403-819-9318
We are located in the historic DeWaal Building in Bridgeland in Mohkínstsis on Treaty 7 land
36 4th Street NE
Calgary, AB T2E 3R7 CANADA
Free one-hour parking at the building and on 4th Street NE