Mitchell Art Gallery is excited to share more from the MacEwan Art Collection with the campus community. Students and staff passing through campus may have noticed two new installations in the pedway connecting Building 7 and the Christenson Family Centre for Sport and Wellness.

The displays feature two paintings each by Canadian artists Leslie Poole and Elaine Classen, from the MacEwan Art Collection. Leslie Poole, originally from Halifax, captures short-lived moments and emotions with his still-life paintings, taking inspiration from the expressionist movement. Elaine Classen is an Edmonton-based artist, who explores abstraction in her work through colour-field painting, gestural marks and accent lines. Take some time today to visit and experience these paintings up close, and to learn more about them.

The installations are accompanied by two interpretive panels written by student Maysa Miller-Saohin, who joined the MAG team in Winter 2024 for an Internal Practicum in Arts Management. Maysa has developed these panels through researching the artists and their work, aiming to introduce and contextualize the artwork for a public audience. The MAG plans to continue this program to engage more students in curatorial opportunities as well as enrich the public’s experience of the Art Collection on campus. Head to the MAG website to read more about Maysa’s work, and the hands-on learning opportunities offered through the Gallery.

Curious about the MacEwan Art Collection? Tracing its origins to the 1970s, the Collection serves as a public resource for the campus containing over 350 artworks, including paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures, and is managed by the MAG team. Get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding the MacEwan Art Collection, at mitchellartgallery@macewan.ca.

The MAG team thanks Louis from Facilities for his help with the install.

From the Mitchell Art Gallery