The Works Art & Design Festival

06/12/2026

Let's talk about art, baby!

TArt training sessions help our Volunteer Tour Guides feel more comfortable and confident chatting with festival-goers about festival exhibits art exhibits. We recently wrapped up our latest session and had a great time learning new ways to look at, think about, and talk about art.

Now all that’s left is to put it into practice and we can’t wait to start some great conversations about this year's exhibits!

If you're interested in becoming a tour guide volunteering, applications remain open until July 1!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘁 & 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹
🗓️ 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬 – 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻

06/12/2026

06/10/2026

A sneak peek, as our Works to Work production team builds this year’s Festival Gateway!

It's a big project, so we take time practicing its construction and deconstruction, onsite at The Works. Next week, everything will be hauled over to Churchill Square to be assembled for you to see!

This year's Festival Gateway features work from artist Kev Kev Liang.

In 𝙅𝙞ā 𝙮ó𝙪!: 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝘾𝙀𝙀𝘿 𝙒𝙄𝙏𝙃 𝘾𝘼𝙐𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉, tarps become the skin of a monumental portal, inviting guests to pass beneath as they enter the festival grounds. The installation echoes makeshift shelters, labour infrastructure, and the improvisational architecture of migrant life. By occupying a public threshold, the work reclaims space for narratives that are often hidden or backgrounded, exploring how environments are mediated by impermanence, in turn shaping our relationships and the shared encounters we experience with others.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘁 & 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹
🗓️ 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬 – 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻

06/08/2026

Say hello to Calvin, our lead production supervisor!

For two years now, Calvin has been with the Works Art & Design Festival, serving as a lead production supervisor and mentor to our interns.

Armed with a 13-year background in creative carpentry as well as a bachelor's in fine arts, Calvin is a seasoned craftsperson, educator, and artist! In his own time, he’s a multifaceted artist trained in woodwork, sculpting and painting, creating culturally charged work that relates to our connection to nature.

Here at The Works, Calvin and his team of W2W Interns oversees the installation of the festival’s various exhibits, experiences, and infrastructure. This includes everything from hanging paintings to building large experiences.

Come see for yourself what they've been working on!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘁 & 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹
🗓️ 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬 – 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻

Art

06/06/2026

Experience Art & Design IRL on Churchill Square!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘁 & 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹
🗓️ 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬 – 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
📍 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻

It's one of Edmonton’s largest celebrations of visual art!

Festival programming features more than 200 artists showcased across 41 exhibits at 18 festival sites and venues throughout downtown Edmonton. In partnership with local galleries and cultural organizations, the festival also offers 115+ FREE events, workshops, talks, and interactive activations.

We’ll be there celebrating Edmonton’s vibrant arts community. Will you join us?

06/04/2026

Two new exhibits have been installed...the perfect opportunity for you to get a sneak peak of this year’s festival exhibits!

Twinkle Banerjee’s In Pieces, and Diana Ohiozebau’s Not Alone As Such, can be viewed on the main floor in the Stanley Milner A. Library! 📖🎨

The Works Art & Design Festival is June 20 – July 1, 2026 in Churchill Square and venues across Downtown Edmonton.

Festival details are updated on the daily. Visit our website for more details!

Hope to see you there! ✨

05/28/2026

Recently, our 2026 interns had their photos taken so you can put a name and face to our Work-ers! 📸

Soon you will be able to meet ALL of this year’s Works to Work (W2W) Interns who are working hard to help bring The Works Art & Design Festival to life, happening June 20 – July 1, 2026 on Churchill Square.

Stay tuned, and follow along, as we share more intern experiences here at The Works! ✅🎨

05/27/2026

🎨✨ The Works Art & Design Festival is looking for volunteers to help bring this year’s festival to life in Churchill Square from June 20–July 1!

Join us for Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, May 30 from 1–2 PM to learn more about volunteer roles and what to expect during the festival.

Interested in becoming a tour guide? We’ll also be hosting an optional TArt (Training in Art Interpretation) online session on June 1 from 6–8 PM for volunteers who’d like to build confidence discussing art with festival visitors.

Can’t make orientation? No problem! Volunteer applications remain open until July 1, with lots of opportunities to join throughout the festival.

Be sure to RSVP/SIGN-UP using the link in the comments.

We can’t wait to celebrate art, creativity, and community with you this summer! ✨

03/12/2026

Applications close tomorrow!

There is one day left to apply for the Works to Work paid summer internship! Applications are open until March 13th at 11:59 PM.

Find more information on our website: https://www.theworks.ab.ca/w2winternship

03/08/2026

“My paintings explore the idea of belonging and what it means to exist between cultures. I use a combination of direct observation and photographic references to build pictorial spaces that merge elements of surrealism and realism. These spaces act as bridges between memory and imagination, inviting reflection on identity and the complex experience of cultural hybridity.”

See 'It's Hard to Express’ on view now at the Don Wheaton YMCA, 10211 102 Ave NW. Building hours are 5:30AM-9:00PM Monday-Friday and 7:00AM-9:00PM on weekends.

Image artwork: Fishing, Kate Bang, 2024.

More information here: https://www.theworks.ab.ca/artexhibits/its-hard-to-express-by-kate-bang