Art

Story and photos by Jessica Melnychuk You’re six years old, drawing a picture of your house in grade one art class. It’s simple – you line the walls, sketch a triangle roof, draw the door and maybe add a window or two. Done.

Story by Laurel McLean. As author Toni Morrison famously said: All good art is political. Paraphrasing this sentiment, Calgary-based artist and illustrator Kyle Simmers elaborates, “If you aren’t making work that is deliberately political, you’re just beautifying the status quo. I try to keep that in mind with all the things I’m working on; what would I like to see grow and change about our culture?”

Story by Andrew Bardsley. Photo by Liam Glass. Amid the dozens of rooms within the infamous Shamrock Hotel, a once popular yet rough spot, sits local artist Kelly Isaak. The hotel, closed in 2015, has been repurposed as the arts facility, NVRLND, where each of dingy, rough-and-tumble rooms now serve as art spaces for local artists – Isaak being one of them.

Story by Andrea Wong. Photo by Elijah Beaver. When Keegan Starlight draws a portrait, the first thing he looks at are the eyes. He is methodical in familiarizing himself with the subject, often staring at a picture for weeks on end, until he reaches an understanding that he can pass on to someone else.