In this insightful interview, Jasmine Hynes, System Director, and Molly Caldwell, Artistic Director of The Bows, a dynamic art gallery located in Mohkínstsis (Calgary, Alberta), discuss their commitment to supporting local artists. The Bows, which has been a cornerstone of the city’s contemporary art scene since 1994, provides affordable studio spaces and showcases thought-provoking exhibitions that address pressing contemporary issues.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
The Bows is an art gallery in Mohkínstsis (Calgary, Alberta), Treaty 7 Territory. We have a gallery and office space in Sunalta which presents four art exhibitions a year and two presentations of public art on an external billboard. The Bows has thirty-one affordable studio spaces in Sunalta and the Beltline that we rent to local artists.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Our core goals are: to support the development, creation, and presentation of new work by early-career artists; to provide affordable studio space for local artists; and to broaden the reach and scope of contemporary art in this city, with the ultimate, if ambitious, aim to expose this city to artistic work that explores pressing contemporary issues.
When did you start/join it?
The Bows, previously Untitled Art Society, was founded in 1994 by a group of graduates from the Alberta College of Art + Design (now Alberta University of the Arts). Untitled Art Society rebranded in 2018 as The Bows, Jasmine joined the organization in the Spring of 2023 and Molly in the Fall of 2022.
What made you want to get involved?
Molly – I have been involved with the Calgary art community since graduating from AUArts in 2017. I had been on the board of an artist-run centre and had a long history of working with The Bows.
Jasmine – I had just finished grad school and was on the board of The Bows before getting hired. I was living in Vancouver at the time but Alberta is home so it felt like the right opportunity for me.
What was the situation like when you started?
Hectic, predeceasing directors left the organization within a year of one another and there were no succession plans in place. Molly got into a severe car accident pretty quickly after she and Jasmine started which affected capacity. Also, the majority of exhibitions were with international, established artists as opposed to local, emerging artists which is where we have shifted our focus.
How has it changed since?
Both directors feel much more situated and grounded within the organization, we have identified all of the areas that need some work and are beginning to carry that workout. For example, we are currently working with an external organization to identify priority policies to implement at The Bows. Directing our focus onto local Calgary/Alberta-based emerging artists, especially recent graduates, has proven to be a great move for the organization and community.
What more needs to be done?
We desperately need another employee, as we are the only artist-run-centre who maintains private artist studios in addition to a gallery space, whilst also having the least amount of staff in the city. We would love to start looking at how we can support emerging artists beyond programming and financial compensation.
How can our readers help?
Come to our events, follow our social media, acquire a membership or donate!
Do you have any events coming up?
together with, all at once (mãmawi) opens on October 19 (12-3 and 6-9) and is a collaboration between The Bows and The National Access Art Centre, the exhibition features the work of Paul Brain, Daniel Desaulniers, Kathy M. Austin, Jessica Kowalski, Lucas Kayseas, Andre Paradis and Kacy Salkheld.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
National Access Art Centre! We are working with the NAaC on our next exhibition and we are so excited about what they are offering in our city. The NaAC is Canada’s first multidisciplinary disability arts company and provides artistic training, creation, and exhibition/presentation opportunities for artists with developmental, physical, and acquired disabilities.
