When Beakerhead 2014 wrapped up on September 14th, El Pulpo Mecanico and iLuminate left for Maker Faire, Daisy headed back to Vancouver, and Net Blow-Up was deflated, disassembled and packed away. But Calgary hasn’t completely run out of STEAM (groans expected). Some stops on Beakerhead’s self-guided engineered art tour are continuing their art and science smash-up exhibits through the end of this month.

Dark Night, Star Light

Downtown Calgary, stop in at Studio C any weekday in September between 9 am and 4 pm to view the Dark Night, Star Light photography exhibition.

This collection of photographs showcases light pollution in and around Calgary and is one component of the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory’s initiative to advocate for light pollution mitigation. The exhibition includes photographs by Neil Zeller, Alan Dyer, Brett Abernethy and other talented photographers.

To learn more about light pollution in the Calgary area, visit the Calgary Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada website. Intrigued? Why not become a citizen scientist for Dark Night, Star Light?

Studio C

I really enjoyed exploring the classroom and exhibition space at Studio C. The award-winning collaborative art centre is located in the historic Burns Building (237 8 Ave SE, across from Calgary City Hall and adjacent to Olympic Plaza). When you stop by, be sure to take a few minutes to notice some of the architectural details. On my first visit to Studio C I climbed the impressive central stairs to the 5th floor. I knew I was in the right general area when I spotted the Studio C mural through the stairwell window, but the door was locked so I returned to the ground floor where I discovered the elevator (to the right of the main doors off 8th Ave SE) and ascended to Suite #502.

You’ll know you’re in the right place when you spot the colourful mural in the hallway.

Since I often “see” music as colours and shapes, this mural really appealed to me. Watch mural artists Sarah Van Sloten and Daniel Cristini collaborating in this time-lapse.

The hallway mural isn’t the only permanent artwork on display at Studio C. Brittney Tough painted this mural in a corner of the Studio C office space.

Studio C’s gallery space hosts monthly public exhibitions. Dark Night, Star Light runs through the end of September. Studio C features solo, group and exchange shows. Check the “Exhibits” tab on the Studio C website for the current month’s exhibition.

Adjacent to the gallery is a large classroom space. This is where Studio C offers an art-based, workplace skill-building program to help develop a productive Alberta workforce, one that is accessible, diverse and inclusive. Learn more about the innovative ArtRecruits and Empact initiatives on the “Programs” tab on the Studio C website.

The classroom space is also used for regularly scheduled art classes. Fall classes will wrap-up in late November. If you’re interested in taking an art class over the winter months, the winter art class schedule will be posted under “Classes” on the Studio C website in mid-November. Art classes are open to the public (advance registration required, fee applies).

I’d like to thank ArtRecruits Coordinator Wilmer Aburto for giving me a behind-the-scenes guided tour of Studio C and telling me all about the innovative programs offered by the team of dedicated (and mostly volunteer) artists. Be sure to follow @studiocprospect on Twitter to learn about upcoming programs/exhibits at Studio C and the Calgary arts community in general.

And please watch for a blog post later this week describing another Beakerhead art exhibition that’s available for viewing into October.