The Bows

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The Bows

Artist-run centre in Mohkinstsis/Calgary The Bows is an artist-run centre in Mohkínstsis/Calgary, Alberta, Treaty 7 Territory.

Our core goals are: to support the development, creation, and presentation of new work by early-career artists; to provide affordable studio space for local artists; and to broaden the reach and scope of contemporary art in Mohkínstsis/Calgary, with the ultimate, if ambitious, aim to expose Calgarians to artistic work that explores pressing contemporary issues. We work toward these goals with an a

rtist-centric approach that prioritizes the wholesale support of artists; creative and radical uses of spaces outside of the gallery; and a curatorial focus on projects and practices that dovetail with the specific socio-political, cultural, colonial, economic, and Indigenous histories and contexts of Treaty 7. Ultimately, The Bows strives to empower and support artists to imagine different futures and radical nows, and to invite those inside and outside of our community to be co-conspirators in realizing such realities.
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We gratefully acknowledge funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development, and the AGLC. Recent project funders include the Rozsa Foundation, the Calgary Foundation, Alberta Culture and Tourism, and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and ongoing support from Resolve Photo. We are a grateful recipient of one of the inaugural Lacey Prizes.

03/06/2026

The Bows is seeking new members for our 2026–2027 Board of Directors.

As we enter a period of governance renewal and strategic growth, we’re looking for thoughtful, engaged people who want to help strengthen the organization and support artists in meaningful ways.

Board members contribute 4–6 volunteer hours per month, including a monthly meeting and committee work.
We welcome people with experience or interest in:

• arts and culture
• non-profit governance
• policy development
• finance or fundraising
• labour relations or HR

We especially encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized, Disabled, 2SLGBTQI+, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people, and others underrepresented in arts leadership.

📅 Deadline: May 1, 2026
📧 Apply: [email protected]
Submit a statement of interest (max 750 words), a short audio/video (max 5 minutes), or a CV/resume.

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[Image descriptions:

Image 1: A light grey graphic with abstract wavy lines in rust, teal, cream, and brown. Centred text reads “The Bows – Call for Board Members.”

Image 2: A graphic titled “Why You Should Join the Board of Directors – 4 Key Reasons,” highlighting shaping the future of contemporary art in Mohkínstsis, gaining governance experience, strengthening community connections, and supporting artists through structural decisions.

End of Descriptions]

01/30/2026

Eternal Gaze of Contemplation
Robyn Mah
February 13 - May 9, 2026

Opening Reception
February 13, 6 - 9 pm

Song dynasty scholar Mi Fu, after being appointed as a magistrate, was invited to a meeting with other high ranking officials. However, before bowing to the officials, he saw a rock that struck him so deeply that he bowed to the rock as he would to an older brother, as it was admirable for its long-standing existence through the hardship of natural weathering.

Rocks at one point were a part of a larger whole. Though broken off, they are still classified as the whole they were once a part of.
In-spite of the distance and transformations, these changes speak to the different environments the rocks have experienced. The construction and ambiguity of the origins of these rocks and traces of tangible cultural identity speak to the incompatibility with social expectations and the ways in which (de)construction of identity evokes loss, grief, and longing for inclusion based on wholeness.

What would you do if it didn’t matter in the end?

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Robyn Mah explores their Chinese-Canadian identity through a multidisciplinary, material-led practice that engages with the complexities and banality of authenticity. Finding contemplation and nothing in the interrogation of the real and detailed surfaces of rocks and symbols that act as fragmented self-portraiture.
Robyn makes rocks, paintings, and tattoos in Mohkinstsis.

Mah was The Bows 2025 BIPOC Artist in Residence.

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[lmage Description: An asymmetrical stone fills most of the frame, floating against a muted mauve-grey background. The stone’s surface appears matte and finely textured, with subtle variations in tone suggesting weathering and erosion over time. Its form tapers slightly at the bottom and bulges near the top, giving it an organic, almost bodily presence. In the lower right corner, two identical white Chinese characters appear side by side. End of description.]

01/26/2026

GRAZE
Snack and Share IV ft. Kiko Cunningham ()
February 7, 1 - 5 pm
At The Bows Sunalta

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A dreamy afternoon shaped around grazing — small bites, shared plates, and the grace to wander back for more. Inspired by pastures and long tables, these eats by chef Kiko Cunningham are meant to be lingered over: finger foods that invite joy, touch, and conversation.

☁️🌾

Sit, stand, drift
Eat at your own rhythm

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[Image Description: A pale blue poster with an oval-framed photograph at the center. Inside the oval, two horses—one dark brown and one light tan—stand side by side, heads lowered as they graze on hay in a mountainous landscape. Behind them, steep rocky mountains rise into misty clouds. Overlaid across the mountains in large, flowing script is the word “Graze,” with smaller text reading “Snack & Share IV.” At the top left, text reads “February 7, 1–5 PM,” and at the top right, “The Bows Sunalta.” At the bottom of the oval, a rounded white label reads “Ft. Kiko Cunningham.” End of Description.]

01/12/2026

In Conversation
Laura Grier, Ryley Williams & Mercedes (ma̱lidi) Webb
January 24, 1 - 3 pm mst
The Bows Sunalta and Online
RSVP at the link in bio

Join us for a discussion on Indigenous language revitalization featuring Laura Grier, Ryley Williams, and Mercedes Webb.

Presented alongside Grier’s current exhibition, Dene Aesthetics, the artists will discuss how their practices explore language as a living aesthetic force — challenging colonial logics, reactivating Indigenous epistemologies, and tracing deep relational ontologies through various media.

The discussion will take place in person at The Bows and will be live-streamed, offering access to audiences locally and beyond.

Following the talk there will be a viewing event for the exhibition with the artist in attendance. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

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[Image Description: A vertically oriented promotional poster in soft blush and bright pink tones. At the top, dotted lettering reads “IN CONVERSATION,” followed by the names Laura Grier, Malidi Webb & Ryley Williams.

Below, smaller text states January 24, 1–3 pm MST.

The Bows logo appears in the upper right corner.

The central and lower portion of the poster is filled with a repeating, hand-printed floral and vine pattern in vivid pink ink on a pale background.

Along the left edge, vertically oriented dotted text repeats THE BOWS. End of Description.]

12/17/2025

It’s your last week to catch ‘Dene Aesthetics’ before we close for the Holidays.

The Bows will be closed from December 20 - January 6.

We look forward to welcoming you in the New Year and for all the exciting programming ahead of us.

Happy Holidays!

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[Image Description: The image has a muted blue-grey background with The Bows logo repeated vertically along the left side. Centered in the image is white text that reads:

“Holiday Closure
The Bows
will be closed from
December 20 – January 6”

At the top center is “THE BOWS” written in a dotted typeface, with a small dotted wave-shaped graphic to the right. The overall design is clean, minimal, and calm. End of Description.]

11/21/2025

We have limited prints of ‘Talkomatic’ by Darren Wright (.fiction_press) available for purchase through our website and in person with all proceeds going directly to the artist 😍

‘Talkomatic’ is an overwhelming assemblage of found internet-images resulting in a surreal dreamscape. The composition is can be viewed on our Billboard until April 2026.

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[Image Descriptions:

Image 1: A large, colourful collage-style mural is mounted on the exterior wall of a light grey brick building. The mural features an eclectic mix of graphics, patterns, and illustrations, including alien imagery, abstract shapes, and bright neon colours. Below the mural is a concrete accessibility ramp with black metal railings and a blue wheelchair-accessibility sign. A cluster of black planters with dried plants sits at the bottom of the ramp. A roadway and overpass are visible in the background.

Image 2: A digital collage featuring a mix of imagery layered across a pastel gradient background of blues, pinks, greens, and purples. The composition combines internet-era graphics, vintage illustrations, and surreal motifs. Central elements include a large open mouth with sharp teeth over a fiery background, a sticker reading “F*CK YOU,” and fragmented images of bodies, landscapes, and abstract textures. The word “UNITY” appears vertically in bold letters, surrounded by visual noise and overlays of stars, grids, and glitch effects. End of Description.

End of Descriptions.]

11/01/2025

Talkomatic
Darren Wright
November - April
The Bows Billboard

Darren’s collage explodes with colourful imagery, weaving digital artifacts and surreal visuals into a chaotic tapestry. Cartoon characters, mechs, angels, and early internet-era graphics overlap with dreamlike textures and obscured snapshots. The contrast of sacred and absurd, playful cats and nuclear blasts, angelic figures and hellish flames, creates a tension between humour and anxiety. The scattered composition evokes a discordant feed, where contradicting & competing symbols, ideas, information & feelings come together & melt into an overstimulating mountain of meaningless unease.

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Darren Wright is a digital collage artist weaving dreamlike narratives into surreal & chaotic compositions using the language of the internet & mysticism.

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[Image Descriptions: A digital collage featuring a mix of imagery layered across a pastel gradient background of blues, pinks, greens, and purples. The composition combines internet-era graphics, vintage illustrations, and surreal motifs. Central elements include a large open mouth with sharp teeth over a fiery background, a sticker reading “F*CK YOU,” and fragmented images of bodies, landscapes, and abstract textures. The word “UNITY” appears vertically in bold letters, surrounded by visual noise and overlays of stars, grids, and glitch effects. End of Description.]

10/29/2025

Over the past few years, The Bows has seen a growing demand for affordable, accessible studio spaces — a reflection of our city’s vibrant and expanding arts community

In 2023, we added ten new studios at our Beltline location, and in 2024, we built a dedicated studio in our Sunalta space for our BIPOC Artist-in-Residence program. Looking ahead, with generous support from The Calgary Foundation, we’re thrilled to announce the opening of four new studios, along with an expanded workshop area and library, coming early 2026.

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Interested in joining our community of artists? Email [email protected] for more info.

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[Image Descriptions: An Industrial space with high ceilings and exposed wooden beams. Various materials and objects—such as stacked wood panels, green boards, metal grates, shelving units, and miscellaneous equipment—are arranged along the walls and floor. Overlaid text near the top of the image reads “NEW STUDIOS HERE” in a white speech-bubble style graphic with yellow stars and a dotted arrow pointing toward the back corner of the room, indicating the future location of new artist studios. A yellow line and arrow further outline the designated area. End of Description.]

10/20/2025

Hallowed be thy Grave
Presented by Missingno
October 31, 9pm - late
Ticket link in bio

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9:30
9:50 .bers “rsgf”
10:10
10:30 “de4ththekid” b2b tanabalenci
11:00 “b07gem”
11:20 “winks”
11:40
12:40 b2b

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Missingno text-line: 587-779-2009

Early bird $5 tix (very limited, get em while they hot)
$10 standard and at the door

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Community Guidelines:
The vibe of Missingno is to maintain a safe/inclusive space so you can have a great time. Do not disrespect the vibes, know .

NO TOLERANCE for harassment, discrimination, or any inappropriate behaviour, this will lead to you being asked to leave immediately upon violating any of this. Be safe, be conscientious of your actions, consider those around you. Thank you everyone we can’t have a fun night without your light, love & cooperation.

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[Image description: Event poster for “Hallowed Be Thy Grave,” a Halloween night party at The Bows. The poster features red gothic text on a black background with skull and pumpkin graphics. Event details: October 31, 9 PM to 2 AM, 18+ only, $15 entry. Performers include RSGF, WINKS, BQ7GEM, PROPRVTTLE, M3RYKAT3ASHLEY, SCORPIAMOON, DE4THBIRD, TANABALENCI, and NEWIR B2B STATIC ART. End of description.]

10/18/2025

Dene Aesthetics
Laura Grier
October 25 - January 31, 2026
Additional Programming tba

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‘Dene Aesthetics’ is both an exhibition and a theory that seeks to bridge complex Dene renderings of being and language, reaching across alter-Native realms of knowing to trace the outlines of a living, ongoing aesthetical theory. Laura Grier looks for atypical ideas of Dene-ness that enact creative making through the use of decolonial printmaking processes that are rooted in relationality, resistance, spirituality and revitalization.

Laura Grier is a Sahtu Délı̨nę First Nations artist and printmaker, born in Somba ké (Yellowknife), and based out of Alberta. Through the use of traditional print mediums, they instrumentalize the power of the handmade to reflect Indigeneity, aesthetics, language, relational ontologies and lived experiences of displacement. Laura’s work is inspired by the dynamism of Indigenous art practices and uses printmaking as a tool for resistance, refusal and reflexivity. They hold a BFA from NSCADU (K’jipuktuk) and an MFA from OCAD University (Toronto) and are currently a PhD candidate in Visual Arts at York University.

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[Image Descriptions:
Image 1: A bright pink exhibition poster for “Dene Aesthetics” by Laura Grier, taking place from October 24 to January 31, 2026, at The Bows. The title text is centered near the top in a stylized dotted font, with the artist’s name and exhibition dates in black below it. The gallery name, The Bows, appears in a dotted pattern repeatedly along the left and top borders, with small wavy line motifs.

At the center of the poster is a white square containing a magenta letterpress print of four repeating Dene syllabics arranged in a staggered, ascending pattern.

Image 2: The same letterpress print from the first image repeats. End of Descriptions.]

10/06/2025

It is the final week to catch ‘trap (disambiguation)’ by Danny Luong!

Made in unregistered cannabis and psilocybin farms, Luong’s work reflects a personal journey fostered by close friendships and art. Luong, a worker and witness, had the explicit permission to document operations during his shifts. These photographs of anonymous workers and makeshift operations, reveal an ingenuity and imagination in using limited resources toward a life worth living.

The vapour barrier in the gallery was installed by members of this community, bringing a private production space into one of leisure. A voyeuristic shock to some, the project is less an underworld to them than as everyday as a construction site.

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Image by Stefan Legisa ()

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[Image Description:

A dimly lit room bathed in a deep red hue, In the foreground, a gray couch faces a coffee table cluttered with various objects, including cans and small items. To the right, an old CRT television displays static, sitting atop a stand with more objects nearby. Behind the seating area, the room extends toward the back wall, where a doorway or frame-like structure is illuminated in pinkish-red light. Two rectangular lightboxes with red images hang on the back wall above a small ladder. The ceiling is unfinished, revealing exposed beams.]

10/04/2025

Join us on Sunday, October 19th for our BIPOC Artist in Residence, Robyn Mah’s Open Studio and Rock-shop.

Learn how to tie a lucky Chinese knot and attach a handmade ‘rock’ for contemplating, treasuring and to take with you on your travels through life.

Drop in any time between 1 and 3 pm, while supplies last.

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[Image Description: The image is a poster for an event. At the center, large white swirling text reads “Open Studio”, with the letters partially transparent so that a textured stone-and-rope design shows through.

Behind the text, an arrangement of rocks tied together with black-and-white striped cord forms a roughly star-like or stick-figure shape.

At the top left corner, small grey text reads: “lucky rock workshop, mingling, and snacks! 1–3pm”

In the top right corner is a stylized logo in a gothic font, reading: “BIPOC AIR ROBYN”

At the bottom, aligned left, is the logo for The Bows.

On the bottom right, the date “10.19.2025” is displayed in grey text.

The overall background is a light grey, giving the poster a clean, minimalist look. End of Description.]

Address

2001B 10th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB
T3C0K4

Website

http://thebows.org/

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