Urban Shaman Contemporary Indigenous Art

05/20/2026

We're hiring! Join the Urban Shaman team as we transition into our new space at Market Lands. 🔗 http://urbanshaman.org/careers

Experienced candidates can apply for the following positions:

📌 Programs Assistant: supports the coordination and administration of exhibitions, adjunct programming, residencies, and publications.

📌 Outreach Coordinator: leads Urban Shaman’s communications, outreach, and promotional activities.

We have a great benefits package and operate on a 4 day work-week!

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?