Join us for a special reception from 5-7PM on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 to celebrate 50 incredible years of contemporary art and community at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin.

We’re pulling out all the stops to say thank you! Our first 100 guests will receive a complimentary poutine from our pop-up Poutine Bar by Owl Acoustic Lounge, plus a piece of limited edition 50th anniversary swag! All guests will receive a complimentary drink ticket for a beverage from our drink sponsor, Annex Ale Project, and of course, a slice of anniversary cake.

Our current exhibitions by David M.C. Miller and Nancy Valladares will be on view throughout the reception and artists Gillian Goerz and Eric Dyck will be capturing your favourite Gallery memories all night long through their live drawing. Come prepared to share a favourite story!

This special anniversary event is free to attend and we hope you’ll bring along all the Gallery lovers in your life! Your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours are all welcome as we celebrate our past and look forward to the next 50 years together.

While the celebration is free, donations will go a long way in making our 50th Anniversary year shine. Donations, including sign-up for our monthly giving program Centennial Club, and be made via CanadaHelps: www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/southern-alberta-art-gallery-association/

Thank you for your important support. We cannot wait to celebrate this Golden Anniversary with you!

Artist Bios:

Gillian Goerz is a cartoonist, writer, graphic recorder, and illustrator. Her work has been seen in the New York Times, the Walrus, The Globe and Mail, and her clients include Audi, Volkswagen, The Canadian Opera Company and more. Gillian has a passion for communication, and sharing ideas and stories through multiple mediums. Her first kids graphic novel Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer (Dial) spent 7 weeks on the Canadian Best Seller list, received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly, and was reviewed in the New York Times Book Review. The sequel Shirley & Jamila’s Big Fall (Dial, Dec, 2021) won the Doug Wright award for excellence in Canadian Kids Comics. Website: www.gilliang.com 

Eric Dyck is a cartoonist and creator of Slaughterhouse Slough. Eric also teaches cartooning & comic classes for children, and his freelance illustration work can be found through Lethbridge and elsewhere. Website: www.ericdyck.com

Additional information on our current exhibiting artists David M.C. Miller and Nancy Valladares and their exhibitions can be found on our website: www.saag.ca/current