Musée Heritage Museum continues to reach new milestones, and is announcing a fresh season of upcoming exhibitions.
The 2024 season embarks on an adventure with St. Albert photographer David Conlin’s nature images from March 5 to June 29. Titled The Wild Side: Polar Prairie Pacific, the wildlife photos span a wide swath of northern and western Canada.
Conlin harnesses the power of photography to not only frame pretty pictures, but to also introduce environmental education and create discussion about the natural world.
“The images are from St. Albert, Churchill and the Pacific. They are majestic and challenging, and through his lens we see the lives of animals we call our neighbours,” said curator Martin Bierens.
He plans a soft opening for Tuesday, March 5 with an official launch on Saturday, March 9.
Following the photo exhibition, Bierens and Maureen Calihoo Lightfoot are curating Hear Our Voices: Michel People & Residential Schools taking place July 9 to Oct. 12.
Hear Our Voices plays a thought-provoking video of five residential school survivors and the history they wrestle with day-by-day. Not only has the trauma caused ongoing personal impact. It has also caused intergenerational issues.
“The residential schools attempted to erase the Indigenous population and their culture. This is a very passionate exhibit for them. Reconciliation starts with the truth, and I hope people will take the time to hear their stories,” Bierens said.
The exhibition season closes with Warm and Woolly from Oct. 22 to Feb. 22, 2025. It will explore a treasure trove of different textiles, fabrics and materials people from the region have used to stay comfortable in Alberta’s roller-coaster climate.
