Urban Shaman Contemporary Aboriginal Art Gallery

03/31/2026

We're pleased to be exhibition Carrie Allison's exhibition 'we tend to care' for another month until May 1st!

If you haven't seen it now's the time! And be sure to catch the other half of the exhibition at ✨

03/31/2026

✨EXHIBITION EXTENDED TO MAY 1ST!✨

we tend to care | Nikisisawéniténán
Onókohtáw Carrie Allison
Curated by / Okanawénihcikéw Franchesca Hebert-Spence

Grass exists firmly within the mundane. Yet, it has such an emotional hold within our imagination. For example, the weekend whine of lawnmowers in the distance correlates to a middle-class aspiration. There are candles and air fresheners that mimic a “fresh cut grass” scent, signalling cleanliness. Allison’s ambitious beaded pieces parallel the absurd amount of labour and time that goes into maintaining yards, lawns, gardens, and agricultural spaces.

In doing so, Allison’s work confronts these social constructs and addresses how these spaces uphold and are upheld by class, colonialism, and nationalism. She takes this critique to the absurd with her use of digital media to extrapolate what those systems will evolve into if left unchecked.

Allison offers alternatives to those futures by tracing riverways in beads, replacing cold extractive botanical sketches with portrayals of kin, or looking for shared intergenerational spaces.

Through these portraits, visiting, and memory, we tend to care considers the connections Allison has to place – Grande Prairie being her maternal family’s territory, and demonstrates how she cares and nurtures those bonds.

Within the juxtaposition of family, land, space, and colonial critique, Allison poses the question: where are we putting our labour and for whose benefit?

03/04/2026

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

TODAY – Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 12 – 1:30 pm

Register here: https://creativemanitoba.ca/event/urban-art-biz-who-are-you-with-lori-blondeau-artist-bios-and-statements/

Postponed from Feb 25th until next Wednesday March 4th

“Why do I need an artist statement and bio? What is the difference?”

These are important questions. While an artist statement describes your art, an artist biography allows you to discuss yourself as an artist.

Both are essential for any creative professional.

Having a concise artist biography and artist statement prepares you for a variety of opportunities, such as applying for exhibitions, responding to calls for submissions, seeking funding, selling at markets, maintaining your social media presence, and networking. The process of writing these documents will also help you clarify your identity as a creative individual.

People are naturally curious about artists; they want to know about your background! Where are you from? Are you self-taught or academically trained? Have you always been an artist, or did you transition from another career? How do you create your art, and what motivates you? Sharing these insights allows you to engage with your audience and tell your story in a compelling way.

This workshop is designed to help artists craft bios and artist statements that resonate with galleries, funders, and audiences. Whether you are an emerging artist or want to refine your existing materials, this interactive session will help you through the essential elements of effective storytelling. Participants will explore techniques for articulating their artistic vision, influences, and creative processes, ensuring that their personal narrative flows through your writing. Participants will engage in discussions that explore techniques for articulating their bios and artist statements

This workshop is FREE to attend, but you must register. A Zoom link will be provided to you via email upon registration.

Registration closes on March 4th at 11 AM CST

Join GG Award winning artist Lori Blondeau for a FREE afternoon workshop, writing artist bios and artist statements that resonate with galleries, funders, and audiences.

03/03/2026

NEW DATE – Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 12 – 1:30 pm

Register here: https://creativemanitoba.ca/event/urban-art-biz-who-are-you-with-lori-blondeau-artist-bios-and-statements/

Postponed from Feb 25th until next Wednesday March 4th

“Why do I need an artist statement and bio? What is the difference?”

These are important questions. While an artist statement describes your art, an artist biography allows you to discuss yourself as an artist.

Both are essential for any creative professional.

Having a concise artist biography and artist statement prepares you for a variety of opportunities, such as applying for exhibitions, responding to calls for submissions, seeking funding, selling at markets, maintaining your social media presence, and networking. The process of writing these documents will also help you clarify your identity as a creative individual.

People are naturally curious about artists; they want to know about your background! Where are you from? Are you self-taught or academically trained? Have you always been an artist, or did you transition from another career? How do you create your art, and what motivates you? Sharing these insights allows you to engage with your audience and tell your story in a compelling way.

This workshop is designed to help artists craft bios and artist statements that resonate with galleries, funders, and audiences. Whether you are an emerging artist or want to refine your existing materials, this interactive session will help you through the essential elements of effective storytelling. Participants will explore techniques for articulating their artistic vision, influences, and creative processes, ensuring that their personal narrative flows through your writing. Participants will engage in discussions that explore techniques for articulating their bios and artist statements

This workshop is FREE to attend, but you must register. A Zoom link will be provided to you via email upon registration.

Registration closes on March 4th at 11 AM CST

Join GG Award winning artist Lori Blondeau for a FREE afternoon workshop, writing artist bios and artist statements that resonate with galleries, funders, and audiences.

02/26/2026

NEW DATE – Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 12 – 1:30 pm

Register here: https://creativemanitoba.ca/event/urban-art-biz-who-are-you-with-lori-blondeau-artist-bios-and-statements/

Postponed from Feb 25th until next Wednesday March 4th

“Why do I need an artist statement and bio? What is the difference?”

These are important questions. While an artist statement describes your art, an artist biography allows you to discuss yourself as an artist.

Both are essential for any creative professional.

Having a concise artist biography and artist statement prepares you for a variety of opportunities, such as applying for exhibitions, responding to calls for submissions, seeking funding, selling at markets, maintaining your social media presence, and networking. The process of writing these documents will also help you clarify your identity as a creative individual.

People are naturally curious about artists; they want to know about your background! Where are you from? Are you self-taught or academically trained? Have you always been an artist, or did you transition from another career? How do you create your art, and what motivates you? Sharing these insights allows you to engage with your audience and tell your story in a compelling way.

This workshop is designed to help artists craft bios and artist statements that resonate with galleries, funders, and audiences. Whether you are an emerging artist or want to refine your existing materials, this interactive session will help you through the essential elements of effective storytelling. Participants will explore techniques for articulating their artistic vision, influences, and creative processes, ensuring that their personal narrative flows through your writing. Participants will engage in discussions that explore techniques for articulating their bios and artist statements

This workshop is FREE to attend, but you must register. A Zoom link will be provided to you via email upon registration.

Registration closes on March 4th at 11 AM CST

02/24/2026

Join us tomorrow for 'Who Are You?' with Lori Blondeau and learn how to write your Artist Bio and Statement!

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 12 – 1:30 pm

Register here: https://creativemanitoba.ca/event/urban-art-biz-who-are-you-with-lori-blondeau-artist-bios-and-statements/

“Why do I need an artist statement and bio? What is the difference?”

These are important questions. While an artist statement describes your art, an artist biography allows you to discuss yourself as an artist.

Both are essential for any creative professional.

Having a concise artist biography and artist statement prepares you for a variety of opportunities, such as applying for exhibitions, responding to calls for submissions, seeking funding, selling at markets, maintaining your social media presence, and networking. The process of writing these documents will also help you clarify your identity as a creative individual.

People are naturally curious about artists; they want to know about your background! Where are you from? Are you self-taught or academically trained? Have you always been an artist, or did you transition from another career? How do you create your art, and what motivates you? Sharing these insights allows you to engage with your audience and tell your story in a compelling way.

This workshop is designed to help artists craft bios and artist statements that resonate with galleries, funders, and audiences. Whether you are an emerging artist or want to refine your existing materials, this interactive session will help you through the essential elements of effective storytelling. Participants will explore techniques for articulating their artistic vision, influences, and creative processes, ensuring that their personal narrative flows through your writing. Participants will engage in discussions that explore techniques for articulating their bios and artist statements

This workshop is FREE to attend, but you must register. A Zoom link will be provided to you via email upon registration.

02/06/2026

02/04/2026

Giizhig is all ready for the Beaders Gathering tonight!

5:30-8:00 pm at Urban Shaman - 290 Mcdermot ✨✨

01/30/2026

February 6 – March 28, 2026
we tend to care | Nikisisawéniténán
Onókohtáw Carrie Allison
Curated by / Okanawénihcikéw Franchesca Hebert-Spence

Reception: Fri, Feb. 6 – 5-9 pm
Artist Talk: Wed, Feb. 11 – 7-8:30 pm at the Winnipeg Art Gallery
Beadwork Gathering: Wed, Feb. 4th – 5:30-8:00 pm

Grass exists firmly within the mundane. Yet, it has such an emotional hold within our imagination. For example, the weekend whine of lawnmowers in the distance correlates to a middle-class aspiration. There are candles and air fresheners that mimic a “fresh cut grass” scent, signalling cleanliness. Allison’s ambitious beaded pieces parallel the absurd amount of labour and time that goes into maintaining yards, lawns, gardens, and agricultural spaces.

In doing so, Allison’s work confronts these social constructs and addresses how these spaces uphold and are upheld by class, colonialism, and nationalism. She takes this critique to the absurd with her use of digital media to extrapolate what those systems will evolve into if left unchecked.

Allison offers alternatives to those futures by tracing riverways in beads, replacing cold extractive botanical sketches with portrayals of kin, or looking for shared intergenerational spaces.

Through these portraits, visiting, and memory, we tend to care considers the connections Allison has to place – Grande Prairie being her maternal family’s territory, and demonstrates how she cares and nurtures those bonds.

Within the juxtaposition of family, land, space, and colonial critique, Allison poses the question: where are we putting our labour and for whose benefit?

01/28/2026

Beaders Gathering with Carrie Allison & Franchesca Hebert-Spence
Date: Wednesday, February 4th
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Location: Urban Shaman – 203-290 McDermot Ave.
FREE

Join Carrie Allison & Franchesca Hebert-Spence for an evening of beading together with food and tea. Bring your own project or start a new one using beads and materials supplied by the gallery! Admission is drop-in and free for everyone.

01/23/2026

What are the Next Steps you can take as an artist to build experience in the art sector?

Join us for Season 5 Episode 2 of Urban Art Biz to learn about the Next Steps you can take as an artist to help further your career. This workshop will be held in-person at Urban Shaman Gallery on Saturday Jan 24th, 2026 from 1pm-230pm

Presented in Partnership with Creative Manitoba. REGISTER HERE: https://creativemanitoba.ca/event/urban-art-biz-next-steps/

With special guests: Bre Quirion and Dylan Stokes and special guest Jacques St. Goddard

What does the landscape of opportunities look like for Indigenous Artists in arts, architecture, and creative programs, once you are out in the world? Join Dylan Stokes and Bre Quirion as they share their experiences working in creative internships during and after their degrees. Learn how they applied to their programs, how the organizations supported them as Indigenous students, what they learned during their time as interns, and how they are using what they learned in community and to further their careers.

Hosted by Justin Bear L’Arrivee, Artistic Director at Urban Shaman Gallery, and Arlea Ashcroft, Indigenous Programs Manager at Creative Manitoba.

You will also learn what opportunities are available at our organizations, Urban Shaman Gallery and Creative Manitoba, and how we can help you succeed as an artist.

If you’re hoping to work in the arts, and wondering what your Next Steps are, you’re not going to want to miss this panel!

This in person workshop is FREE, but you must register to attend.