The Khyber Centre for the Arts

The Khyber Centre for the Arts A q***r-led artist-run centre located in downtown Halifax NS, which is Kjipuktuk, unceded Mi’kmaq territory.

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Out of Line 3 will include guest artist talks and mentorship 💓APPLY NOW! Call details and full artist bios are linked in...
09/02/2026

Out of Line 3 will include guest artist talks and mentorship 💓

APPLY NOW! Call details and full artist bios are linked in our bio 🔗

ABOUT THE GUEST ARTISTS:

Chris Cochrane-Stillwell (Elle Noir) is a 21-year veteran of drag and a local legend in Halifax’s drag community. Her impact has been recognized year after year on The Coast’s Best Drag Performer list for 18 consecutive years, earning 7 Gold, 7 Silver, and 4 Bronze titles. Chris is known for bringing a dynamic new-skool energy to her performances. Often referred to as the Beyoncé of Halifax, she draws inspiration from both contemporary artists and the divas of previous generations, including Tina Turner and Diana Ross. Chris is a proud trans Black activist and public speaker who uses her platform to speak about her lived experience and educate others about intersectionality and equity. She is the creator of MelaNATION, which has grown into one of Canada’s largest QTBIPOC showcases, and served as Vice Chair of Halifax Pride from 2020-22. She is also a makeup artist, Master Esthetician, and actor, with many television and film credits. Chris is committed to uplifting QTBIPOC youth and supporting the next generation of 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and community leaders.

Truly Am is a stand-up comedian, preparator/curator and artist who lives and works in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They have worked in exhibition installation and design for over a decade, and have collaborated with a variety of artists as a sculptural fabricator. Their own previous projects include their recently released comedy album, several plays, and their short film “Baggage.” They also have written for a variety of publications, including Visual Arts News and The Outport. As an illustrator, Am has produced projects for CBC East Coast, TEDx, CBC Podcasts and Edible Maritimes. They were long-listed in the CBC Comedy Next Up competition as one of the top 100 up and coming comedians in Canada, and won Gold (2019) and Silver (2023) in the Best Of Halifax reader’s poll for Best Comedy Show. They have opened for a variety of acts, including “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” winner Trixie Mattel.

Image description in the comments 💬

Out of Line 3 will be facilitated by artists Marley O’Brien and Wren Tian 💚Monthly group sessions will run from October ...
09/01/2026

Out of Line 3 will be facilitated by artists Marley O’Brien and Wren Tian 💚

Monthly group sessions will run from October 2026 to June 2027, culminating in a group exhibition with public programming at the Khyber in July 2027 💜

⭐ APPLY BY 5PM ADT ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 ⭐

Details linked in our bio 🔗

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS:

Marley O’Brien is a q***r and trans painter, performer, filmmaker and facilitator of white settler colonial descent, working and living in Kjipuktuk, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She graduated from NSCAD University in 2022 with a major in Fine Art and has an acute interest in transfeminine perspectives and pop culture. O’Brien is best known for her evocative oil paintings, her drag persona Moist Towlette, and her performances in Atlantic Canadian short films. All of her practices are driven by her sensibilities and intuitions. O’Brien pursues beauty, passion, humour, and truth in all of her work as she does in her personal life. She endeavours to create evocative images that exploit and subvert more recognizable iconography from the canons of painting, filmmaking and popular culture.

Wren Tian is an interdisciplinary artist and facilitator working primarily in lens-based (photo, video). They hold a BFA in Expanded Media Arts from NSCAD University and have exhibited both locally and nationally. Wren considers himself a jack of all trades, master of none, with experience in arts administration, arts programming, and gallery installation, as well as supporting and educating q***r and trans folks on topics around gender and pleasure. Right now, their arts practice primarily looks like finding ways to connect and play with friends through artistic collaboration.

Image description in the comments 💬

The Khyber is excited to announce a KREAM residency and solo NSCAD MFA thesis exhibition by Arielle Twist. Residency: Au...
08/19/2026

The Khyber is excited to announce a KREAM residency and solo NSCAD MFA thesis exhibition by Arielle Twist.

Residency: August 24th - September 8th, 2026 (studio visit requests can be made to [email protected])
Exhibition: September 15th - October 17th, 2026
Gallery Hours: 12-5PM Tuesday-Saturday
Public Reception: 530-730PM on Monday, September 14th

ARTIST STATEMENT:
Notoriously Immoral Woman, as a title, is derived from the etymology of the word “scarlet,” which traces back the use of the Biblical term scarlet woman as an identifier for a “notoriously immoral woman,” with the notion perhaps being from the idea that she is “red with shame or indignation.” This understanding combined with the historical use of Red as an identifier for Indigenous peoples of North America; RedSkin, Red Man, and a process that I am describing as “a salvaging from the wreckage of colonial artillery” I aim to bring these understandings of colonial notions back to the “rootbound orality” of indigenous ways of thinking and being, To stake claim to and document this role of The Notoriously Immoral Woman, a woman of scarlet affinity, mother of all colors, a woman who has been changed by shame or indignation and the hauntings that unfold in the aftermath.

This collection of work, poiesis and visual modes of making, concludes in a manifesto of contamination that is unravelling into a personal visage - ink on paper, ink on body, ink on canvas, ink on hair; everything here is red, even my skin.

Artist bio and more information linked in our bio 🔗

Image description in the comments 💬

Join us online for the Khyber 2025–26 AGM! 💚Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 6PM ADT on Zoom 🌐This is an opportunity to c...
08/18/2026

Join us online for the Khyber 2025–26 AGM! 💚

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 6PM ADT on Zoom 🌐

This is an opportunity to connect and hear reporting on the last fiscal year. It’s also a great time to renew your Khyber membership!

We are also accepting expressions of interest from individuals interested in joining the Khyber Board of Directors.

All links in our bio 🔗

ID: A poster promoting the Khyber’s upcoming AGM. Text is black and primarily hand-drawn, surrounded by black line drawings of imaginary artworks, a heart with a face, a microphone and XLR cord, dots, and swirls. The background is a peachy tone; there are a couple of red squiggles, and lime green and bright teal boxes amongst the black line drawings and text.

All you could dream of pop-up market!🎭Gallery hours: Friday Aug 14 6-9 & Saturday Aug 15 12-5Come one, come all to Khybe...
08/13/2026

All you could dream of pop-up market!

🎭Gallery hours: Friday Aug 14 6-9 & Saturday Aug 15 12-5

Come one, come all to Khyber’s weekend pop-up sale! Featuring work from our lovely members. From art books to prints to wearables... there is something for everyone!!

Here is a sneak peek at some of the things people will be offering!

Our list of vendors are:
Carriona Iozzo
Caro DeFrias
AC World
Natalie Goulet
Khyber
& prints for Mutual Aid

OUT OF LINE 3: CALL FOR PARTICIPATION!Apply by 5PM ADT on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 📅Out of Line is an annual peer-...
08/12/2026

OUT OF LINE 3: CALL FOR PARTICIPATION!

Apply by 5PM ADT on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 📅

Out of Line is an annual peer-led artistic professional development program that brings together a cohort of 7-9 trans and gender-nonconforming local artists. Out of Line is intended to be a space where you can talk about your work without needing to explain or defend your being. It is also a space to develop professional and community connections that can continue beyond the program.

Monthly group sessions will run from October 2026 to June 2027, culminating in a group exhibition with public programming at the Khyber in July 2027.

Out of Line 3 will be facilitated by artists Marley O’Brien and Wren Tian and will include sessions with guest artists Chris Cochrane-Stillwell (Elle Noir) and Truly Am. The program is facilitated yet self- and group-directed, and will develop in response to the interests, needs, skills, and curiosities of the selected group.

Link in our bio for more details 🔗

The image behind the text is a still from a video work, Springtime Breathes New Life into Yesterday’s Laundry (2026), created by drew ess and Marley O’Brien during Out of Line 2.

ID: An image of a video still, arms and a mirrored torso with many ni***es, with promotional text overlaid. The text is in white, bright green, sky blue, and peach with black outlines. It reads: OUT OF LINE 3 / CALL FOR PARTICIPATION / LOCAL TRANS + GNC ARTISTS / OCT 2026 - JULY 2027 / KJIPUKTUK / HALIFAX / APPLY BY 5PM ADT SEPT 9TH

Out of Line 2 closing reception 🌝📸 Photography by Brit Fox, courtesy of the Khyber Centre for the Arts, 2026ID: A series...
08/11/2026

Out of Line 2 closing reception 🌝

📸 Photography by Brit Fox, courtesy of the Khyber Centre for the Arts, 2026

ID: A series of twenty photographs documenting the closing reception of Out of Line 2. Photos include people talking with each other and viewing the exhibition. Display furniture - plinths and a mannequin - are painted white, black, baby blue, and baby pink. The works are of various mediums: wall-hung quilts, video on a black monitor, puppets facing mirrors on the wall, printed matter, and interactive art installations.

Out of Line 2 panel discussion 🗣️🗣️🗣️📸 Photography by Wren Tian, courtesy of the Khyber Centre for the Arts, 2026ID: A s...
08/11/2026

Out of Line 2 panel discussion 🗣️🗣️🗣️

📸 Photography by Wren Tian, courtesy of the Khyber Centre for the Arts, 2026

ID: A series of seventeen photographs documenting the opening reception of Out of Line 2. People are gathered in a gallery space with white walls and light grey floors. The first photos include a group of artist and audience seated in black folding chairs with ASL interpreters standing behind them. The next photos are of attendees viewing work in the exhibition. Display furniture - plinths and a mannequin - are painted white, black, baby blue, and baby pink. The works are of various mediums: wall-hung quilts, video on a black monitor, puppets facing mirrors on the wall, printed matter, and interactive art installations.

Out of Line 2 exhibition 🪀📸 Photography by Brit Fox, courtesy of the Khyber Centre for the Arts, 2026ID: A series of twe...
08/11/2026

Out of Line 2 exhibition 🪀

📸 Photography by Brit Fox, courtesy of the Khyber Centre for the Arts, 2026

ID: A series of twenty photographs documenting the exhibition Out of Line 2. Photos include details of artworks. Display furniture - plinths and a mannequin - are painted white, black, baby blue, and baby pink. The works are of various mediums: wall-hung quilts, video on a black monitor, puppets facing mirrors on the wall, printed matter, and interactive art installations.

KHYBER MEMBERS MARKET!! AUG 14 6-9 & AUG 15 12-5!!! We hope to see you there!!! Many many goodies to choose from!! Vendo...
08/05/2026

KHYBER MEMBERS MARKET!! AUG 14 6-9 & AUG 15 12-5!!! We hope to see you there!!! Many many goodies to choose from!! Vendors arts will be posted leading up to!!

ID: poster graphic for the members market

Address

1880 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS
B3J1W6

Telephone

+19028176620

Website

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