Alcove July 2025 Newsletter

What's Happening at Alcove!

Author

Alcove Centre
July 03, 2025

This ain’t our first rodeo!

Stampede season is in full swing—and whether you’re riding a mechanical bull or taking cover from the chaos, Alcove’s got your July covered. From high-energy live music to pay-what-you-can workshops and cozy art sessions, we’re serving up creative vibes for every kind of day. Check out our program schedule for all the details!

NOTICE: Drop-in Art Space will be CLOSED on Saturday, July 19. Alcove will be CLOSED from Friday, July 25 to Tuesday, July 29. See you back on July 30th!

Big news: Alcove is officially a registered charity!

We started as a few friends who believed that art should be for everyone. Now, years later, Alcove has become a creative home for so many—and we’re proud to share that we’re now a registered charity!

This milestone means Alcove can expand our reach, strengthen community connections, and keep arts accessible for all. We’re excited for this new chapter and grateful to everyone who’s helped us get here!

Want to support Alcove? Here’s how!

Alcove is a creative hub for everyone. Whether you're an artist, a supporter, or someone who believes in the power of community, there’s a place for you here. Here’s how you can get involved and support our work:

  • If you’re able, consider making a donation! Donations help fuel our mission to provide a full-time space where people can cultivate their creativity and build meaningful connections within our community. Donations over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt. 

  • Snag a 2025 Community Card — Treat yourself or a friend to an all-access pass to special offers and creative experiences in Calgary for $30! Every purchase helps support local businesses AND accessible arts programming in Calgary!

  • Bring Alcove to Work — Does your workplace support local arts and culture? Whether it’s through an employee giving campaign or a corporate donation, your workplace can help fuel creativity in Calgary. Email [email protected] and let’s chat!

  • Show Up & Get Creative — Swing by during drop-in hours, join a workshop, or check out one of our events. When you show up, you support local artists and help build community. Click here for our program schedule. 

Alcove belongs to all of us — thanks for being part of it!

Celebrate the 9th Anniversary of Raw Voices with us!

It’s hard to believe, but Raw Voices is turning 9 years old this month! We’re celebrating with a special anniversary party featuring an amazing lineup of poets, musicians, and comedians who’ve been part of Raw Voices over the years!

This one’s a little different.
There won’t be an open mic to make space for more features, and it’s not at Alcove. Instead, we’re switching it up with a Saturday daytime show at a secret location (don’t worry, we’ll share it the day before).

Think: poetry that’ll give you goosebumps, music that moves the room, and laughs from local comedians we love. Plus, enjoy complimentary snacks and refreshments!

It’s our way of saying thank you—to every person who’s ever shared, supported, or simply showed up over the past nine years. You made Raw Voices what it is. We can’t wait to celebrate with YOU!

Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 1:30 PM - 5:30PM

  • Admission by donation ($10 suggested)

  • All ages!

Explore your creativity with July’s workshops!

Looking for a low-cost, extra-fun activity? We’ve got you!

  • Workshops are recommended for people ages 12 and over. Children under 12 years old are welcome with parent/guardian supervision. Please get a ticket for each person (incl. all children).

  • The workshop is pay what you can! Suggested $20 - $30 donation to support facilitator fees and supplies.

  • *Registration is required on Eventbrite for workshops!

Press-On Nails Workshop

Learn to paint your own custom press-on nails: miniature art you can wear! From beginner to advanced designs, this hands-on workshop is all about expressing your style, your way.

About your facilitator!

Raquel Centeno is a nail technician from Calgary. She has a degree in art, and specializes in nail art at her job at Untitled Esthetics in Inglewood. She has been a nail tech for 3 years and is very passionate about how nails make her clients, and herself, feel!

Sunday, July 6, 2025 from 1:30 PM - 3:30PM

Punch Needle Workshop

Join us for a beginner-friendly punch needle workshop with Charlene! Explore the basics of textile art and create your own mini rug while learning to set up your space, design, and use a punch needle tool. Gain tips and complete your unique piece in this fun, hands-on session!

About Charlene:

Charlene has been making art for 14 years—from drawing and painting to pottery and textiles like crochet and punch needle. After starting Your Local Plant Mami in 2022, she discovered punch needling and hasn’t looked back!

Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 1:30 PM - 3:30PM

Event Highlights

Looking for some creative inspiration? Swing by Alcove this month! We’ve got a bunch of fun events and workshops waiting for you!

Artist Callout: Exhibit at our Mini Gallery

Are you a visual artist looking for a space to showcase your work? Our Mini Gallery on 2nd Street is now accepting submissions for its next exhibit!

Visible to the public 24/7, this space is designed for artists facing barriers in finding exhibition opportunities. When Alcove is open, visitors can also explore the gallery from the inside. Each showcase runs for an average of 4–6 weeks, providing a unique platform to share your creativity with the community.

2025 Community Card for Sale

The 2025 Alcove Community Cards are valid to use for the entire year! Come get your 2025 Community Card today at Alcove!

The Alcove Community Card is available to purchase for $30 and gives you access to special offers/discounts at 51 businesses around Calgary! We also offer team packages at a discounted rate! Enjoy discounted coffee, beers, galleries, lessons, art supplies, and quality time all while supporting local businesses! Valid from January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025.

A huge thank you to everyone who has purchased a Community Card so far, as well as Arts Commons and Rozsa Foundation for purchasing team packages. If your team is interested, please contact Bethel at [email protected] for more information!

We also have new additions to the Community Card this year, including, a quarterly Insider Newsletter, giving an exclusive look into Alcove and the local art scene, as well as a change to our Creatives Mixer admissions. Starting in 2025, you must own and register a Community Card to attend our quarterly Creatives Mixer events.

Alcove 2025 Community Survey

What programs and activities would you love to see at Alcove this year? Share your thoughts and ideas through our survey! Your feedback will help shape the events, workshops, and experiences we plan for 2025. We truly appreciate your input and can’t wait to hear what you have to share—thank you for helping us make this year amazing!

*This survey is anonymous and takes approximately 5-minutes to complete.

*Friendly reminder to guests that hot food is not permitted in the space, with exceptions during special events. This is to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the recreational art space.
*Parking in the loading zone by the back door is not permitted, except for staff and facilitators/performers who have a workshop or performance at Alcove. Please do not park there otherwise.

About Us
Alcove Centre for the Arts is a charity located in Calgary (244 7th Avenue SW). Our aim is to make the arts accessible through pay-what-you-can events and art workshops. We believe that art and creativity are integral to the human experience and in building vibrant and dynamic communities.

Visiting Us
Affordable parking is located at: TD Core’s Underground Parkade (745 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2P 4K9). It has free 3-hour parking after 3pm on Weekdays, and a flat rate of $2 for longer. There is free 3-hour parking all day on Weekends, with a $2 flat rate for longer. If you are taking Calgary Transit, we are just across the street from 3rd Street Station.