Dimension: 11" x 14"
Medium: Acrylic & oil, silver & gold leaf on raw canvas

Year created: 2022

Framed

by Tara Vahab

This piece is part of the "Unknown Places" abstract and surrealistic painting series inspired by architecture of the Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Downtown.

About the artist:

Tara Vahab is an award-winning Persian-Canadian interdisciplinary artist and therapeutic arts practitioner based in Calgary. She received her first art award at age nine and has been a passionate advocate for mental health through the arts ever since.

After earning her BFA from the University of Calgary in 2015, Tara founded LOUD Art Society, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing mental well-being through creative practices.

Her vibrant, community-rooted work spans public art, murals, sculptures, paintings, performances and therapeutic workshops, often incorporating bright colours, patterns, found objects, and newspaper. Her practice explores metaphysical themes tied to empathy, humanity, and joy.

Tara currently teaches at the University of Calgary’s Continuing Education, serves as Interim Executive Director at CARFAC Alberta, and is developing her upcoming book Self-Therapy Through Art & Creativity while preparing for LOUD Art Society’s 10-year anniversary celebration.

www.taravahab.com 

Dimension: 24" x 36"
Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Year created: 2020

Unframed

by Tara Vahab

Invisible Planets was created during the pandemic, at the time where everything felt uncertain and dark. During this time, nature was a place that people could find some peaceful moments. This abstract landscape painting is inspired by mountains. Invisible Planets is about accessing that part of inner self that is always grounded, nurturing and is at peace.

About the artist:

Tara Vahab is an award-winning Persian-Canadian interdisciplinary artist and therapeutic arts practitioner based in Calgary. She received her first art award at age nine and has been a passionate advocate for mental health through the arts ever since.

After earning her BFA from the University of Calgary in 2015, Tara founded LOUD Art Society, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing mental well-being through creative practices.

Her vibrant, community-rooted work spans public art, murals, sculptures, paintings, performances and therapeutic workshops, often incorporating bright colours, patterns, found objects, and newspaper. Her practice explores metaphysical themes tied to empathy, humanity, and joy.

Dimension: 48" x 48"
Medium: Oil on Panel

Year created: 2014

Unframed

by Tara Vahab

"Broken Mind" is a powerful and often tragic metaphor used to describe a state of profound psychological distress. It's not a clinical term, but it captures the subjective experience of when one's inner world ceases to function in a familiar, reliable way. Finding balance is difficult. Half of this painting is painted on a white background and the other half is painted upside down on a black background.

About the artist:

Tara Vahab is an award-winning Persian-Canadian interdisciplinary artist and therapeutic arts practitioner based in Calgary. She received her first art award at age nine and has been a passionate advocate for mental health through the arts ever since.

After earning her BFA from the University of Calgary in 2015, Tara founded LOUD Art Society, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing mental well-being through creative practices.

Her vibrant, community-rooted work spans public art, murals, sculptures, paintings, performances and therapeutic workshops, often incorporating bright colours, patterns, found objects, and newspaper. Her practice explores metaphysical themes tied to empathy, humanity, and joy.

Dimension: 16" x 20"
Medium: Acrylic and gold leaf on canvas

Year created: 2023

Unframed

by Tara Vahab

This piece is was inspired during the Women-Life Freedom movement. The Healer- Land of HerBeing is about being an anchor, staying calm and spreading healing energies.

About the artist:

Tara Vahab is an award-winning Persian-Canadian interdisciplinary artist and therapeutic arts practitioner based in Calgary. She received her first art award at age nine and has been a passionate advocate for mental health through the arts ever since.

After earning her BFA from the University of Calgary in 2015, Tara founded LOUD Art Society, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing mental well-being through creative practices.

Her vibrant, community-rooted work spans public art, murals, sculptures, paintings, performances and therapeutic workshops, often incorporating bright colours, patterns, found objects, and newspaper. Her practice explores metaphysical themes tied to empathy, humanity, and joy.

Dimension: 51.5x80 cm
Year created: 2022
Medium: Oil on Canvas

Framed

by Raha Jazayeri

"Hidden Half" represents the story of women from my homeland and all women whose lives have been overshadowed by darkness, where their rights have been denied. It reflects their struggles, resilience, and determination to claim their rightful place. In this painting, the darkness behind symbolizes the oppression that has engulfed women throughout history. Yet, a part of the figure emerges into the light, a beacon of hope breaking through the shadows. The worn door represents outdated beliefs that conceal the wounded half behind it, while the light conquers the darkness, embodying the triumph of hope and courage over oppression.

About artist:

Born in 1980 in Tehran, Iran, and now based in Calgary, Canada, I have been captivated by painting since childhood. Although I initially pursued a career in pharmacy, art has always been a profound and essential part of my life. In 2007, I committed to painting professionally, embarking on a journey that led me to study at the Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. There, I refined my skills in classical realism, deepening my understanding of light, form, and composition.
In my work, I strive to explore the vast spectrum of human emotion—from the depths of sadness to the heights of happiness, love, disappointment, doubt, fear, and beyond. Each brushstroke is an attempt to convey the depth and complexity of these feelings, inviting viewers to connect with their own experiences. Every painting tells a story, weaving together personal narratives and cultural threads across generations. Through my art, I aim to celebrate our shared human achievements, reminding us of the beauty and resilience found within the collective journey of emotions.

Dimension: 20 x 26 cm

Medium: Soft Pastel on pastelmat
Year created: 2024
Framed

by Raha Jazayeri

This painting, titled Infinite Love, captures a tender moment between my cousin and her infant son. In it, she lovingly hugs her baby boy, her lips gently touching his head. The warmth and closeness in this gesture reflect the boundless love that always exists between a mother and her child.
Beyond its beauty, this bond carries profound healing power. A mother’s embrace offers a child their first sense of safety, comfort, and belonging. These feelings that nurture emotional growth and resilience. In times of fear or uncertainty, this connection becomes a source of calm and strength. Infinite Love is a celebration of this pure, unconditional bond, a reminder of the healing and transformative energy found in every embrace and gentle touch between mother and child.

About artist:

Born in 1980 in Tehran, Iran, and now based in Calgary, Canada, I have been captivated by painting since childhood. Although I initially pursued a career in pharmacy, art has always been a profound and essential part of my life. In 2007, I committed to painting professionally, embarking on a journey that led me to study at the Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. There, I refined my skills in classical realism, deepening my understanding of light, form, and composition.
In my work, I strive to explore the vast spectrum of human emotion—from the depths of sadness to the heights of happiness, love, disappointment, doubt, fear, and beyond. Each brushstroke is an attempt to convey the depth and complexity of these feelings, inviting viewers to connect with their own experiences. Every painting tells a story, weaving together personal narratives and cultural threads across generations. Through my art, I aim to celebrate our shared human achievements, reminding us of the beauty and resilience found within the collective journey of emotions.

Dimension: 16"x20"

Medium: Acrylic, oil and aerosol paint on birchwood panel
Year created: 2025
Unframed

by Aretha Laverne

4B Queen is part of a series of mixed-media paintings that celebrates black hair and all of its glorious curl patterns. The title, “Don’t Touch My Hair,” confronts the too-familiar experience of unsolicited contact—whether it be a well-meaning gesture by strangers or the intrusive curiosity of educators and coaches I've experienced growing up. Through this statement, 4B Queen magnifies a moment of personal boundary—a subtle violation—into a public dialogue. It speaks to how such encounters can spotlight even the most reserved among us, generating anxiety where belonging should reside. These crowned beauties reclaim sacred spaces of safety, identity, and counsel—evocations of the hair salon’s central role within Black communities into the public frame.

About the artist:

Aretha Laverne is a Grande Prairie-based contemporary mixed-media artist whose work explores cultural storytelling as a means of healing and identity affirmation. As a first-generation Canadian born to Jamaican parents, Laverne's practice is deeply rooted in diasporic narratives and the transformative power of visual expression.
Through fantastical-layered imagery, Laverne reimagines traditional narratives to articulate experiences of history, belonging, and inner peace. Her mixed-media compositions weave personal and cultural histories into evocative visual forms, offering fresh insights into identity, heritage, and emotional resilience.

Dimension: 30" x 40"

Medium: Acrylic and Mixed media on canvas

Year created: 2023

Unframed

by Samantha Thrift

Season's Edge captures the threshold moment between fall and winter as snow clouds roll over the warm foliage of lakeside trees. This piece is part of a series exploring liminal moments in nature - those immense, transitional times that challenge us to confront vastness and find our place within it. 

About the artist:

Samantha C. Thrift (she/her) earned a BFA from the University of Calgary in 1998. After pursuing an academic career, she recently returned to formal study through the University of Calgary's continuing education program and LOUD Art Society workshops to continue her artistic practice. Working primarily in acrylics, Sam’s recent works explore the use of texture, vivid colors, and expressive brushstrokes to transform fleeting moments from nature into abstract compositions.

Dimension: 40.5x50.7cm (16"x20")

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Year created: 2022
Unframed

by Kay Heo

Recording moments from travel turns them into a lasting part of my story.

About the artist:

Writer and author with over a decade of experience, and a visual artist specializing in oil and acrylic painting for the past 9 years. I have published two books—a travel essay capturing everyday moments abroad, and a collection of testimonies from North Korean defectors—and worked as a cultural and social journalist exploring Korean unification, ethnic diasporas, human rights, and coexistence.
I began painting in Seoul as a form of self-healing, later drawing inspiration from travel and nature to explore harmony within disorder. Since settling in Calgary in 2021 as an immigrant artist, I have participated in programs and artist residencies with various art organizations, presenting my work through exhibitions and creative projects. Each piece invites the viewer to pause, reflect on contrasts, and imagine spaces where differences can coexist in balance.

Dimension: 40.5x50.7cm (16"x20")

Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Year created: 2022

Unframed

by Kay Heo

Always grateful for the space and time that nature provides.

About the artist:

Writer and author with over a decade of experience, and a visual artist specializing in oil and acrylic painting for the past 9 years. I have published two books—a travel essay capturing everyday moments abroad, and a collection of testimonies from North Korean defectors—and worked as a cultural and social journalist exploring Korean unification, ethnic diasporas, human rights, and coexistence.
I began painting in Seoul as a form of self-healing, later drawing inspiration from travel and nature to explore harmony within disorder. Since settling in Calgary in 2021 as an immigrant artist, I have participated in programs and artist residencies with various art organizations, presenting my work through exhibitions and creative projects. Each piece invites the viewer to pause, reflect on contrasts, and imagine spaces where differences can coexist in balance.

Dimension: 30.6x40.6cm (12"x16")

Medium: Oil on canvas

Year created: 2022
Unframed
By Kay Heo

Standing before the landscape, nature offers a healing touch, even without stepping closer.

about the artist:

Writer and author with over a decade of experience, and a visual artist specializing in oil and acrylic painting for the past 9 years. I have published two books—a travel essay capturing everyday moments abroad, and a collection of testimonies from North Korean defectors—and worked as a cultural and social journalist exploring Korean unification, ethnic diasporas, human rights, and coexistence.
I began painting in Seoul as a form of self-healing, later drawing inspiration from travel and nature to explore harmony within disorder. Since settling in Calgary in 2021 as an immigrant artist, I have participated in programs and artist residencies with various art organizations, presenting my work through exhibitions and creative projects. Each piece invites the viewer to pause, reflect on contrasts, and imagine spaces where differences can coexist in balance.

Dimension: 40 inches x 30 inches
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Year Created:2025

Unframed

by Branka Rosie Cavar

"Potential Energy" is an intuitive painting and reflection on my recovery following an episode of psychosis in 2020. Psychosis changed my life in many ways, and in some ways, for the better. I left art school to focus on my recovery and reconnect with myself. Over the years, I have found that through the support of family, friends, and art, my dreams of being an artist that helps others by sharing her story is closer than ever. This painting is a celebration of all that has happened to get me on this path, and the beautiful future that is ahead of me. Suddenly, my dreams are within arms reach. Above all, this painting is about hope and acceptance for everything that life brings.

About the artist:

Branka Cavar’s artistic practice is rooted in her lived experiences with mental health and wellness. Her work explores themes of transformation, recovery, discovery, and the therapeutic power of art. After a life-altering episode of psychosis, Branka’s creative direction shifted from traditional landscapes to a deeper exploration of the connections between memory, colour, and emotion. During this period, she found peace in the complexities of the unknown and a profound sense of being part of a larger, infinite whole. Branka’s art is both a reflection and a celebration of the human experience. It honours the stories she has lived through and collected, while also affirming art as a spiritual and therapeutic practice

Dimension:  20" x 30”

Medium: Oil on Canvas


Year created: 2021


Unframed

by Brendan O'Callaghan

A Storm is Brewing uses surreal storm clouds to showcase how unprocessed feelings linger and distort over time in the mind.

About the artist:

Brendan O'Callaghan is a Canadian artist based in Calgary, Alberta, whose creative journey has been a dynamic exploration of various artistic mediums and expressions. His artistic evolution began at fourteen when he discovered his passion for painting and began creating still lifes of dogs and people with oil paints.
Driven by his artistic ambitions, Brendan's oil painting portfolio earned him acceptance into the Alberta University of The Arts, where he embarked on a transformative journey of artistic exploration. During his time at the university, Brendan discovered a new passion for video art, igniting his curiosity and pushing the boundaries of his creative practice.
In pursuit of his newfound passion, Brendan graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a major in Media Arts, equipping him with the skills and knowledge to express himself through video installation art. Eager to further hone his craft, Brendan continued his artistic education by obtaining a Diploma in Video Production from the prestigious Toronto Film School.
Despite his passion for video art, Brendan felt a deep connection to his oil painting roots and yearned to reconnect with his artistic origins. In a bold and decisive move, Brendan returned to his first love, the oil painting brush, and dedicated himself to honing his unique style of artwork.
In 2023, Brendan unveiled his latest body of work in a solo exhibition entitled "The Uncanny Clouds" at the Alberta University of the Arts. The exhibition showcased his captivating exploration of surreal landscapes.
Today, Brendan continues to push the boundaries of his creativity and expand his artistic horizons as he strives to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a full-time artist. With an unwavering commitment to learning and growth, Brendan remains steadfast in pursuing his passion and vision for the world.

limited edition print

Unframed

by Sandra Lamouche

Echoes From this Land Project. QR code for dance film.

About the artist:

Sandra Lamouche is a nehiyaw iskwew (Cree Woman) from the Bigstone Cree Nation in Northern Alberta. She lives on Nitsitapi land in Treaty 7 with her husband, Lowell, and two sons who are members of the Piikani Nation. Sandra is a Women’s Champion hoop dancer, an award-winning Indigenous education leader, TEDx Speaker, award winning children’s author, transdisciplinary artist and choreographer. She received her B.A. in Native American Studies from the University of Lethbridge. She has a Master’s degree in Indigenous Studies from Trent University, on Indigenous Dance and Well-being. She uses the multidisciplinary nature of Indigenous Studies in her work, from women’s studies, to Indigenous art, and Indigenous law courses and beyond. She has over fifteen years of experience in ten international styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, hip hop and powwow styles, and the hoop dance. She has gained most recognition as a Hoop Dancer and has been showcased and performed internationally. The hoop dance and it’s teachings of unity, balance, equality and interconnectedness of creation to inform her practices. This often includes land based practices, environmental and climate related topics as well as, social justice issues.

Dimension: 9.84 × 9.84 in

Medium:mix media on canvas
Year created:2025
Unframed

by Sheyda Banihashemi

"Finally Free” captures the profound sense of liberation that comes with acceptance — a peaceful surrender. The work symbolizes release from the weight of ancestral memories encoded in our DNA, the collective unconscious, and the unseen imprints of the past. Emerging from these invisible prisons, the figure embodies healing, a freedom that not only restores the self but also flows forward to future generations

About the artist:

Sheyda Banihashemi is a visual artist with over 25 years of experience in painting across different media and styles. She has presented her work in more than ten solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. Since moving to Canada, she has offered creative workshops for immigrant youth, teens, and seniors, and she currently teaches painting with the City of Airdrie. Drawing on her background in both medicine and the arts, she is passionate about art as a path to healing, reflection, and community connection.

Dimension: 14.57 × 14.57 in

Medium: watercolour on handmade paper
Year created:2022
Framed

by Sheyda Banihashemi

This artwork is inspired by a type of brain MRI. In my vision, the brain represents the mind. For me, this painting symbolizes a healed mind — one where the flow of colors reveals harmony, movement, and serenity. The vibrant interplay of hues reflects a state of balance and inner peace

About the artist:

Sheyda Banihashemi is a visual artist with over 25 years of experience in painting across different media and styles. She has presented her work in more than ten solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. Since moving to Canada, she has offered creative workshops for immigrant youth, teens, and seniors, and she currently teaches painting with the City of Airdrie. Drawing on her background in both medicine and the arts, she is passionate about art as a path to healing, reflection, and community connection.

Dimensions: 18x24

Medium: Professional acrylic paint and Gak900
Year created: 2025

Womens , XL

by Tammy Harris

Frida Khalo portrait hand painted onto the back of a denim jacket. She is wearing a floral crown, and a quote appears above her head: "At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can" Frida Khalo

About the artist:

In the face of an aggressive cancer diagnosis, I found my world shrinking to the essential fight for survival. It was in rediscovering my childhood love of art, particularly creating images of animals, that a path to healing opened. Inspired by artists like Frida Kahlo, who also navigated significant health challenges and found solace in her creative expression, I turned to my canvases as a sanctuary.
My artistic process is fueled by a deep joy in capturing the unique spirit and character of the animal kingdom. Through vibrant colors and tactile textures, my work reflects not only the external beauty of these creatures but also the inner resilience and untamed energy I so admire. Each piece is a personal narrative of overcoming adversity, mirroring Kahlo's strength and the transformative power of art in navigating life's most profound challenges. My creations are an ongoing testament to the soul-saving grace of art and the profound connection we share with the natural world.

Medium: Professional acrylic paint and Gak900
Year created: 2025

Womens , L
by Tammy Harris

Van Gough portrait hand painted onto the back of a denim jacket.

About the artist:

In the face of an aggressive cancer diagnosis, I found my world shrinking to the essential fight for survival. It was in rediscovering my childhood love of art, particularly creating images of animals, that a path to healing opened. Inspired by artists like Frida Kahlo, who also navigated significant health challenges and found solace in her creative expression, I turned to my canvases as a sanctuary.
My artistic process is fuelled by a deep joy in capturing the unique spirit and character of the animal kingdom. Through vibrant colors and tactile textures, my work reflects not only the external beauty of these creatures but also the inner resilience and untamed energy I so admire. Each piece is a personal narrative of overcoming adversity, mirroring Kahlo's strength and the transformative power of art in navigating life's most profound challenges. My creations are an ongoing testament to the soul-saving grace of art and the profound connection we share with the natural world.

DIMENSION: 18.25” (h) x 44” (l)

MEDIUM: Sepia Toned Silver Print
YEAR CREATED: 2003
FRAMED: sized 27”(h) x 56”(l)
by Bonnie Portelance

Hand Collaged Xray Print

About the artist:

I am a multidisciplinary artist currently working in photography and textile collages to
imaginatively process issues of physical and mental health.
Since the beginning of my art-making career, the human body has been my starting
point. It personifies the history, chaos, and transformative potential that drives me.
Using my own experiences with childhood cancer and the resulting complex medical
history, I re-work figurative and abstract patterns until I find something that resonates
with my experiences. Disparate parts fit, sometimes held together delicately by threads,
because all the pieces articulate the trials and tribulations we all go through in life.

DIMENSION: 17.75”(h) x 22.5”(l)

MEDIUM: Sepia Toned Silver Print
YEAR CREATED: 2003
FRAMED: sized 26.75” (h) x 31”(l)
by Bonnie Portelance

Hand Collaged Xray Print

About the artist:

I am a multidisciplinary artist currently working in photography and textile collages to
imaginatively process issues of physical and mental health.
Since the beginning of my art-making career, the human body has been my starting
point. It personifies the history, chaos, and transformative potential that drives me.
Using my own experiences with childhood cancer and the resulting complex medical
history, I re-work figurative and abstract patterns until I find something that resonates
with my experiences. Disparate parts fit, sometimes held together delicately by threads,
because all the pieces articulate the trials and tribulations we all go through in life.