Reception: June 29th 2017 5-7pm

505 8th Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Light refreshments provided

IMAGE: Chinese New Year,  Dulcie Foo–Fat, 1974, acrylic on canvas, City of Calgary Public Art Collection 

So often we focus on the larger events taking place around us, that we can completely over look the objects that occupy the space. In the exhibition, Objects of Fascination, a selection of works from the City of Calgary’s Public Art Collection display a group of artist’s captivation with objects, and in turn their interpretation of these pieces into artworks.

A special thanks to The City of Calgary and CAAF board members Tammy McGrath and Charlotte Le Gallais, and CAAF volunteer Tiffany Wollman for your help coordinating this exhibition. I would also like to aqknowladge the support we receive from CADA for our exhibition programming and artists in residency program, and finally 679 Capital for their continued help in making Gallery 505 exhibitions possible.

— Natalie McDonald

Gallery 505 is Calgary’s newest public art venue curated by the Calgary Allied Arts Foundation (CAAF). This new space “Gallery 505” is a reference to its street address at 505 – 8th Ave SW. This high pedestrian traffic area will now give CAAF a street presence and extend our footprint into the Calgary cultural scene. Here on display you will see artworks on loan from the Civic Art Collection, as well as previous participants from CAAF’s Artist in Residence Program.

The Civic Art Collection contains over 1000 works of art and the collection is the pride and joy of The City of Calgary. For many years, CAAF has provided acquisition funds for the collection, which has allowed the number to grow. The artworks date from 1850 to the present and include the names of some of Calgary’s most recognized historic and contemporary artists.

The footprint for the gallery is not large but it is dynamic. Every aspect has been considered from the design of the interior to the environmental concerns associated with displaying artwork. We are ever so grateful to donor 679 Capital for seeing Gallery 505 come to fruition. By collaborating with CAAF, we hope to enrich the community in the core and further promote Calgary’s vibrant art scene.