November 6, 2025–May 31, 2026
Don Wheaton Family YMCA (10211 102 Ave, Edmonton)
Kate Bang explores the complexities of belonging and identity shaped by life between cultures. Combining elements of surrealism and realism, her paintings bridge memory, imagination, and lived experience. Drawing from her journey as a Korean immigrant, Kate Bang transforms feelings of displacement into reflections of pride and self-acceptance. This exhibition invites viewers to contemplate hybridity, resilience, and the search for harmony within cultural tension.
On display at The Westin Hotel in The Works Art and Design Festival this year, mixed media sculpture artist Dustin Coulson’s series Of Bark & Bane examines the adverse impact of human society upon the natural environment as well as the shifting and, at times, contentious relationship that exists between them.
In the current global climate, debilitating forms of conflict and violence—stoked by cultural differences, economic disparities, regional tensions, and scarcity of resources—continue to impact communities around the world. Amidst these entrenched divisions, it can be challenging to maintain a sense of hope for the future. Bushra Yousaf’s intimate series of portrait paintings evoke optimism and encourage self-reflection by reminding us of our common humanity.
“Mycologists aren’t sure how many species of fungi there are, estimating diversity somewhere between 2 and 1 million. Only 150,000 species are formally described; Most people can maybe name a handful. How many do you know?”
If people were asked about where one can go to see visual art and what that experience would be like, conventional impressions that may come to mind would be dedicated art spaces where people can visit and look at the art—where the experience maintains a separation between the viewer and the artwork.
On display at The Westin Hotel in The Works Art and Design Festival this year, mixed media sculpture artist Dustin Coulson’s series Of Bark & Bane examines the adverse impact of human society upon the natural environment as well as the shifting and, at times, contentious relationship that exists between them.
When you are part of the Works2Work internship, your day-to-day tasks can look quite a bit different depending on which stream of the program you are in. From production to volunteer to marketing to curatorial, each team plays a critical role in putting on the Works Art and Design Festival every year. The experience is a valuable mix of hands-on work and classroom learning (Works2Work sessions) that gives participants a wealth of professional experience. While teams each have their own responsibilities, there is often collaboration between departments when extra support or expertise is needed.
On Behalf of The Works International Visual Arts Society, its Board, staff, and volunteers, we are pleased to announce the awarding of an Honorary Doctorate Degree to Linda Wedman, our COO, at the MacEwan University Convocation ceremony on Thursday, June 19.
Please be aware of festival set-up and take-down schedules, as well as ongoing civic projects and road closures that may affect access and transit in the area.
Edmonton, Alberta – The Works Art & Design Festival is returning to Edmonton’s Churchill Square. Over 11 days, the heart of the City will come alive as more than 100 visual artists transform indoor and outdoor places into vibrant, interactive art spaces.
Join North America's largest free outdoor art and design festival! Volunteers are at the heart of The Works, helping make art accessible and creating an unforgettable experience for all. With opportunities ranging from exhibit attendants to tour guides, there’s a role for everyone.
An integral part of a thriving capitalist economy is its reliance on the continual production, circulation, and consumption of goods. Yet, such consumption depends on people who have the means to pay for these goods as well as for the goods’ planned obsolescence, which incentivizes and makes it necessary for people to purchase more. Quebec-based artist José Luis Torres explores these types of issues in an unconventional manner with his contribution Trojan Horse to this year’s The Works Art and Design Festival.
How can visual art activate possibilities for public engagement within the urban environment? Jill Stanton’s Supergarden explores these possibilities with her larger-than-life art installations that have populated Churchill Square during this year’s The Works Art and Design Festival.
