Who we are
and what we do
Sparrow Arts Society is a non-profit organization that creates inclusive and engaging opportunities for artists to showcase their work and for the community to connect with the arts. With a focus on Creativity, Collaboration, and Community, Sparrow Arts Society fosters a vibrant artist hub where everyone feels genuinely supported, encouraged, and embedded into a dynamic community of artists and enthusiastic arts supporters.
Since 2021, Sparrow Artspace, now operated by Sparrow Arts Society, has been a pinnacle community hub in the neighbourhood of Bridgeland, using its unique space in the historic DeWaal Building to provide residencies for local artists and in being an approachable exhibition and studio space for community workshops. Through this space and the work of Sparrow Arts Society, relationships between artists and the community grow, and artists’ careers flourish with opportunities to create and showcase their art.
As an advocate of the power of collaboration, the work of Sparrow Arts Society is strengthened by its deep connection with local community and partners, who together create a welcoming arts hub where all are encouraged to explore their creativity.
Where we are going
With the formation of Sparrow Arts Society in 2023, the Society is committed to continue fostering opportunities for artists to grow and community to thrive through art while exploring the opportunities for what’s next for the organization. This Strategic Path charts a way forward for the Society to prioritize its work around Creativity, Collaboration, and Community, while making strategic decisions to support its community of artists and the creatively curious.
Sparrow Arts Society Board of Directors (L-R):
Lesia Bear, Sandra Neill, Jenny Stables, Yiting Hui, Kim Webb, Danielle Piper, Doro Buch, Jamie Mason.
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.
photo by Milo Dlouhy grenouille-kralik.com
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