Alcove May 2025 Newsletter

May at Alcove: New month, new ways to create!

May is here, and we’ve got a lineup of awesome workshops, events, and programs that we can’t wait to share with you. Also, it’s almost time for the final touches on our community mural—come join us before May 30, add your unique flair, and let’s create something special together! We’re looking forward to hanging out with you this month at Alcove!

Check out our website for upcoming events and Drop-in Art Space hours!

NOTICE: Alcove will be CLOSED from Friday, May 16 to Tuesday, May 20, and on Saturday, May 24 for a private event.

Our Creatives Mixer is back on May 27!

Mark your calendars for our quarterly Creatives Mixer, a night to meet fellow creatives, spark conversations, and build connections! We’re partnering with Art for Social Change Network: Calgary Hub (ASCN) to bring you this exciting event.

It’s your chance to meet local artists, professionals, and supporters, as well as representatives from grants organizations, media outlets, and city administration. Come through for an evening of music, good vibes, and community. We’ve got live performances, complimentary finger foods, a cash bar, and raffle prizes to sweeten the deal!

*Ages 16+. Please note that a 2025 Alcove Community Card is required upon entry and can be purchased at the door.

National Volunteer Week | Thank you!

It’s National Volunteer Week, and we want say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who helps make Alcove such a special place.

To every volunteer who has given their time—you make this space possible. You turn ideas into action, gatherings into memories, and strangers into friends. Thank you for helping us hold space for creativity, connection, and community!

Artist Talk, Poetry & Music with Finn and Friends

Finn Frankowski, the facilitating artist behind Alcove’s new community mural, will be interviewed about their experiences as an artist and painting their FIRST EVER public mural. They will be joined by their close friends Tamara Cloete, Radan Safinia, and Ash Baayens, who are incredible artists of different disciplines. Dress to express your most creative self!

The community mural project is funded by: Calgary Arts Development

• All Ages/Family Friendly

• Snacks & Refreshments will be provided!

*Registration is required for this event!

Raw Voices & Community Mural Closing Party

It’s going to be an action-packed night on May 30! Raw Voices, our monthly spoken word, comedy and music show is back! It will feature performances from a local poet, comedian and music & open mics. This program is proudly sponsored by: Calgary Downtown Association!

We are also excited to celebrate Finn, and all the community members who have contributed to the Community Mural! This is your last chance to make your mark on the wall, and see the final mural! Thank you to Calgary Arts Development for funding and supporting this project.

*Drop-in, no registration required.

• Admission by Donation: $5 - $15

• Ages 16+ recommended.

• Free Ear Plugs available & quiet art rooms available!

See a yellow dot? It’s your turn to paint! Come down and leave your mark before the mural fills up!

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

*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 non-profit 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.