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In this issue: Humans of the AGA, Art for Lunch, Give the Gift of Membership, Winter ArtBreak Camps, BMO All Day Sunday, Volunteer at the AGA Casino, Servus Community Access Night and More! 

Humans of the AGA 

It takes a village to operate the AGA and we are very grateful to have such a great team of volunteers and staff dedicated to making the AGA a hub for the arts, creativity and ideas. 

This week we share Evelyn's story. Evelyn is a long time AGA volunteer who has recently been invited to join the AGA as a part time educator. 


"I love the AGA because I can witness people connecting to art and to themselves in new creative ways. Working with school groups and weekend programs, I help young people acquire some new skills, and am always amazed at the individual unique creations that are made! It is so obvious that every human being is a unique, individual and is a creative being. This includes parents and guardians as well! Making art in a safe space, with the guidance of an art educator, everyone can experience and explore something both deeply profound and fun - and discover something new about themselves!" 

If you have a story about how the AGA inspires you we'd love to hear from you. Please email Lynda at marketing@youraga.ca 

What's on @ your AGA

What's for Lunch? Art for Lunch with Season to Season, Coast to Coast: A Celebration of the Canadian Landscape 

Thursday, December 15
12:10 pm
Free*

Tom Thomson, Autumn Foilage, c. 1899–1917. Oil on panel. Art Gallery of Alberta Collection, gift of Mr. R.A. Laidlaw, Toronto, 1954.

Take an art break for lunch and join us as we explore one of our newest exhibitions Season to Season, Coast to Coast: A Celebration of the Canadian Landscape. Join one of our knowledgeable gallery attendants for an insightful perspective and discussion about works from the AGA Collection. Featuring Canadian painters such as Emily Carr, Lawren Harris, Tom Thomson and more! 

*Art for Lunch will be free with gallery admission effective January 2017. 

Wear Your Art on Your Sleeve: Donate to your AGA 


This holiday season, the AGA has launched the “Give the Gift of Art” campaign. We are encouraging people to help support the AGA with a one-time or monthly donation.

Each donation makes a big impact in supporting AGA exhibitions, public programs and operations, and ensures that everyone can enjoy gallery activities. For example:

  • $10/month for a year pays for a day of free gallery tours for the public
  • $20/month for a year paints a small gallery between exhibitions
  • $40/month for a year illuminates one artwork
  • $50/month for a year keeps the gallery safe and clean for a day
  • $100/month for a year staffs the galleries, shop and guest services for a day
  • $200/month for a year pays to ship a small crate of artwork from the National Gallery of Canada

Please support your AGA and give the gift of art with a one-time or monthly donation this holiday season.

Enter to win! AGA contests ending soon

Feeling lucky? The AGA has two great contests on now. Enter now, enter often! 

Fill your Fall + Win in Winter 

The Fill your Fall + Win in Winter contest ends in a few days! What a great reason to visit our two newest exhibitions: Season to Season, Coast to Coast: A Celebration of the Canadian Landscape and  Hannah Doerksen: A Story We Tell Ourselves About Ourselves.

Visit our exhibitions three times between now and December 18 to be entered to win a $300 gift basket filled with goodies from Shop AGA. For more details and to check out our prize basket please visit Guest Services on your next visit. 

Contest closes Sunday, December 18

Win an exclusive trip to Ottawa

NGC Ottawa


Purchase a new membership, renew your existing membership, re-instate your lapsed membership or refer a friend (to purchase a new membership) and be entered to win a trip for two to Ottawa and an exclusive tour of the National Gallery of Canada!  

Contest runs until Sunday, January 29, 2017

Give the Gift of Membership


Enjoy free unlimited visits throughout the year, access to advanced ticket sales to our exclusive events and much more! AGA Memberships are the perfect gift for those who want to connect with art, architecture and culture.

On Now

Season to Season, Coast to Coast: A Celebration of Canadian Landscape

Hannah Doerksen: A Story We Tell Ourselves About Ourselves

The Edge: The Abstract and the Avant-Garde in Canada

David Altmejd: The Vessel 

Damian Moppett + Ron Moppett (Every Story Has Two Sides)

Touch Lab: Leave your mark!



News and Updates

Holiday Hours at your AGA

Come visit us during the holiday hours and come see what's on at your AGA:

December 23, 27–30: Regular hours*
December 24, 31: 10 am–2 pm
December 25–26 and January 1–2: Closed

*Tuesday, Friday–Sunday: 10 am–5 pm
Wednesday–Thursday:10 am–8 pm
Closed Monday

Poker Face

AGA Casino at the Grand Villa Casino  
January 27 and January 28, 2017 


As a registered charity the AGA obtains some of its operating revenue from AGLC casinos. Casino funding helps support programming, exhibitions and education classes for Albertans. Volunteers are needed to fill day and overnight shifts for our Casino fundraiser on Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28. New and seasoned casino volunteers alike are invited to take this opportunity to check out the brand new Grand Villa Casino in Rogers Place.

As a thank you for your work, volunteers will receive two free admission passes and can count their service hours towards a free membership. Already a Member? Volunteering is also a great way to earn your membership renewal!

Volunteers are needed to fill a few more shifts. If you are interested in volunteering or would like further information about available shifts click on the button below or contact volunteer.services@youraga.ca.


Events and Programming

Winter is Coming; But there's still time to register for Winter ArtBreak Camps

January 3-6, 2017
Tuesday-Friday
9-4 pm
$240 / $216 for AGA members  


Winter break is around the corner. Don't be left out in the cold! Register the young artist and art lover in your life into one of our great Winter ArtBreak Camps designed to connect students from ages 6-12 with art and ideas. 

Kids creating art


January 3-6 | The Great Art Escape   

Get ready for a full filled week of exploration and escapades in current exhibitions, in the studio and on location at the Muttart Conservatory! From abstract painting & drawing, printmaking and sculpture, take art-making to new heights with innovative installations, cunning crayon resists and striking sketchbook experiments.  

BMO All Day Sunday: Artist Innovators

Sunday, December 18
12–4 pm
Free with Gallery Admission 


Innovators try new things! View our current exhibitions and learn how artists push boundaries and discover new ways to make art. Test out new and traditional media including charcoal, ink & paint alongside unusual materials such as toothbrushes, feathers, sticks and more. Dream big and innovate new and exciting art on the cutting edge!  

BMO All Day Sunday is made possible with the support of the Bank of Montreal. 



Servus Community Access Night

Thursday, December 29
6–9 pm 
Free


Come spend an evening exploring our galleries and current exhibitions–admission is on us! Our monthly Seruvus Community Access Night takes place on the last Thursday of every month from 6–9 pm and is made possible with generous support of Servus Credit Union. 



In the Shops

The 12 Days of Shop AGA 

Have you been following along on Instagram and Twitter as we bring you the 12 Days of Shop AGA? Here's what we've shared so far:

Stay "tuned" for the grand finale on our website next Monday.

Rent or Buy Art from your AGA  

Share the joy this holiday season with the Art Rental and Sales Gallery located on the lower level of your AGA. Miniature paintings and sculptures by Alberta artists make unique gifts this holiday season. Surprise loved ones with the gift of art from the AGA Art Rental and Sales Gallery. Call 780-429-1232 to schedule an appointment to view artworks by 150 Alberta artists.


Escape from the cold this week and visit the AGA Art Rental & Sales Gallery to view artworks by Peter Shostak. Shostak was born and raised on a farm in northeastern Alberta. He studied Art at the University of Alberta and continued his studies to complete a graduate degree in Art Education. Much of Shostak's art reflects his memories of growing up on the prairies during the late forties and fifties.

About the image: Peter Shostak, Rex, there isn't enough room for you, colour serigraph. 
To Rent: $10.00 | To Purchase: $425.00


In Case You Missed It

AGA receives additional funding from City Council

As you may have heard, last week the Edmonton Arts Council and the AGA presented a request to City Council for additional funding in 2017 and 2018 to assist theAGA with the implementation of initiatives in the 2016–2020 Strategic Plan. City Council voted in favour of our request.

We will begin the work on these plans in the new year. If you have any comments or questions, please email us at info@youraga.ca, and if you’d like to be kept informed, please update your account so that we have your current email address.

AGA in the News 

Global talks to Catherine Crowston, AGA Executive Director and Chief Curator about the Lawren Harris Effect

AGA and community partners host Welcome Event for Newcomers

Happy Holidays from your AGA 

As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the many ideas and experiences we have shared with you in 2016. We are also looking forward to an exciting new year of exhibitions and programs in 2017. Please note that E-news will be taking a short holiday break and will return with the latest AGA news on January 10, 2017. 

On behalf of all of us at the Art Gallery of Alberta, we thank you for your generosity and support and send warmest wishes to you and yours this holiday season.