Saturday, January 31, 1:00-4:00 pm in the Heritage Gallery

Saturday, February 28, 1:00-4:00 pm in the Heritage Gallery

Join Director/Curator of Galleries and Collections Xanthe Isbister for a hands-on drawing session inside the gallery inspired by the imaginative and colourful works of Inuit artist Pudlo Pudlat (1916–1992). Participants will explore Pudlat’s dynamic blend of traditional Arctic life and modern change before creating their own artwork that captures a personal sense of place. Under the guidance of the curator herself, you’ll learn to observe, interpret, and express through colour, line, and storytelling — surrounded by the very works that inspire the session. At the end of the workshop, participants will take home their finished illustrated piece. All materials are provided, all skill-levels are welcome; participants are invited to bring a landscape image of a place that resonates with them to use as inspiration for their drawing.

About the Instructor

Xanthe Isbister is a distinguished curator, writer, and artist recognized for her impact on contemporary art in Canada. As Director/Curator of Galleries and Collections at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre in Medicine Hat, Alberta, she champions visual expression through thematic national exhibitions like Landed, In Our Nature and The Feminine Lived Experience. Her curatorial practice emphasizes long-term relationship building, fostering artistic dialogue, and championing emerging artists. Isbister holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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