Art and design students from the graduating class of 2025 on a visit to TREX Space.--SUPPLIED PHOTO COURTESY Doug Loader
I think everyone who goes to art school secretly hopes they’re going to change the world-or at least make it better in some tangible way. Or maybe that was only me. And maybe (probably) it’s naïve, wishful thinking. Changing the world takes a lot. But making a meaningful, positive impact on a community? That takes much less – and is arguably as important.
Some people might be surprised to learn that we have an art school in Medicine Hat: the Art & Design program at Medicine Hat College. Art school is a magical place where students are encouraged to think creatively about communicating and solving problems.
A unique camaraderie exists, forged over countless hours spent in studio spaces together sharing ideas. The experience is transformative, and it’s no wonder we leave feeling inspired to make an impact in the “real world.”
Every year, the graduating class of the Art & Design Program at MHC caps off their studies with an exhibition of creative work – grad show. A semester is spent planning and executing all aspects of the exhibition in conjunction with creating a body of work to be exhibited. I graduated from the Art & Design program in 2020, and my grad show, scheduled for April of 2020 and aptly titled Hindsight 2020, was cancelled.
In the summer of 2020, I got a job at the Esplanade and transitioned to a role with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program (TREX) in 2021. TREX is a provincial program, administered by the Esplanade in the southeast region, that brings visual art exhibitions to places like libraries and schools across the province.
We also have a gallery, TREX Space, in downtown Medicine Hat where we exhibit local and provincial artists. In 2021, I facilitated a collaboration between TREX and the Art & Design program to host the 2021 grad show Freeform at TREX Space. We’re partnering again this year to host the grad show Living:Room.
Living:Room will run April 12 to April 25 at two different locations: TREX Space and the One on One Gallery at the Cultural Centre. The exhibition will feature work by 17 grads. Their website describes that the exhibition “explores the idea of making [one’s] presence felt in the world.”
The works they are creating all come from a deeply personal place, and it takes bravery to put that on display for friends, family and strangers. I commend them for the impact they will have on our community in initiating new conversations and ideas.
If I could give advice to this year’s grads, it would be to remember that the work you’re doing now isn’t “The End.” Despite the pomp and circumstance of graduation, in hindsight, one realizes this is more of a jumping-off point. People that have graduated from the program have gone on to do amazing and diverse things, many pursuing further education or careers in big cities.
But I also have colleagues now, who, like me, graduated from here throughout the years and decided to stay; to strengthen and build relationships that started in the magical realm of art school and leverage them to bring captivating projects to life.
My view has shifted from wanting to change the world, as I realize there’s a lot to be said for trying to make an impact where you live. My hope is that some of the graduates from this class consider directing their talents in similar ways.
Sure, other places are bigger and shinier, but there’s a certain type of magic in Medicine Hat that will only continue to grow as more people work to cultivate it.
Visit trexsoutheast.ca for details on the TREX program in our region.
Sierra Zukowski is the program manager/curator of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program, TREX Southeast
