Art

Kelly Isaak: Finding the unique in everyone

Drop Squad
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.

Keegan Starlight

Drop Squad
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.

Cory Nespor

Drop Squad
Story and photos by Will Geier. Cory Nespor is a visual artist known for his unique style, which incorporates text into visual pieces, as well as for his work with NVRLND, formerly Voltage Creative Garage, which houses Nespor’s iconic ‘Wake Me When I’m Famous’ sign.

Sarah Houle

Drop Squad
Story by Kendall Bistretzan. Photo by Quin Hauck. Paddle Prairie is a Metis community 12 hours north of Calgary. Local multidisciplinary artist Sarah Houle, who calls Paddle Prairie home, will tell you it’s a beautiful place: lush with wildlife and farms, abundant in animals, and, most importantly, family oriented.