Experience the vibrant intersections of tradition, creativity, and cultural expression in 2025 with these three art exhibitions before they close this spring.

As we welcome the new year, we should look forward to new beginnings while still reflecting on the past and its impact. So, while these installations are still open, make sure to take some time to check them out, and appreciate the work, inspiration, and messages of the artists. 

New War Posters from Ukraine

Closing January 11, 2025.

Last year, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada opened its latest installation, New War Posters from Ukraine. Featuring works from the artist collective Pictoric, which is composed of illustrators based in Kyiv, this evocative collection of posters gives the audience direct insight into how the ongoing war has been affecting Ukrainian citizens and communities. 

The posters featured were created in response to the continuous attacks on Ukraine and its people, which has left millions reeling. Each one captures the experience of a nation under siege, expressing brutal anguish, resilience, and defiance in the face of violence. It’s a collection that seeks not only to raise awareness of what’s going on overseas but also to highlight the importance of art during historical geopolitical moments and its role in documenting the realities of those suffering. Art is a method of mobilization, and in dire situations, it acts as a vessel for hope. 

“Art has the power to tell stories, raise awareness, build hope, and move people to action,” said Jen Budney, executive director of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada.

This exhibition comes at an especially critical moment for Ukraine, as they now face renewed and escalating acts of violence. As recently as December 13, 2024, there were immense missile and drone attacks against the country’s energy infrastructure, which resulted in millions going without power. These attacks marked the 12th major assault on Ukraine’s energy sector in 2024, once again reminding us all of the exhaustion and seemingly endless grief Ukrainians have had to deal with daily, because of the ongoing war. 

As we move into the new year, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada will continue to raise public awareness about the war. On January 22, they will open The War That Changes Everything, an installation that features items including war-damaged doors from Doors: Through the Horror of War, a collection that toured the country and was first shown at the museum in early 2023. They will also be hosting a reception and gathering all day on Saturday, February 22, to commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

New War Posters from Ukraine is a collection of work that offers a raw insight into what Ukrainians have been feeling since the war began. Check out the museum before this unique installation is gone, and gain a glimpse into what people on the ground experience during a life-changing crisis. 

Nancy Lowry: Colour in Place

Closing April 6, 2025.

This exhibition focuses on works from Saskatoon-based artist Nancy Lowry that explore the unique intersection between abstraction and landscape. Colour in Place serves as the largest display of her works, featuring newer pieces as well as several others from the last two decades. 

Lowry’s works expertly tread the line between landscape and prairie abstraction, referencing history and nature throughout the installation. She creates “paintscapes,” unique depictions of landmarks and natural environments that exhibit traditional styles of landscape painting while also existing within the world of abstract art. She demonstrates an intimate understanding and awareness of the relationship between the two methods of expression and their connection to how the vast and expressive nature of places is conveyed through art.

While they might not be large and imposing, her paintings are compelling and draw audiences in with their dynamic colouring and the distinct nature of her style. She uses bold colours, strong strokes, and gestural markers that captivate the viewer’s eye. She challenges the traditional nature of landscape paintings while resisting the classification of abstract, allowing her audience to experience a whole new perspective.

Also included in the installation are various different works, from artists Reta Cowley, Mina Forysth, Dorothy Knowles, Margaret Vanderhaeghe, Tammi Campbell, Landon Mackenzie, Elizabeth McIntosh, Leah Rosenberg, Monica Tap, and Sylvia Ziemann.

This exhibit is vivid and engaging, perfect for audiences of all ages. Lowry’s dynamic and unique style re-frames how places can be visually perceived, making Colour in Place a stand-out installation. Be sure to check it out while it’s still on display! 

Kaija Sanelma Harris: Warp & Weft

Closing March 9, 2025.

After emigrating to Saskatoon in 1973 from Finland, Kaija Sanelma Harris (1939-2022) quickly emerged as a trailblazing figure in Canadian fibre arts. 

Born and raised in Finland, she was trained in fibre and textile work, and her passion and love for the craft was evident from the very beginning of her career. She worked to create incredible textile pieces that express a fervent and undeniable love for weaving. Through her breathtaking technique, she exemplified an incredible understanding of the roles of colour, texture, and light in fibre arts. It’s clear even to the untrained eye that she was an incredibly innovative artist who moved beyond the established limits of craft. She utilized the functionality of weaving alongside its aesthetic components and created pieces that established her as one of Canada’s most important textile artists. 

The entire collection of Kaija Sanelma Harris: Warp & Weft is being presented in two venues: Remai Modern and the Saskatchewan Craft Council (SCC). The exhibit at Remai Modern puts her works within the context of visual art history throughout her career, while the pieces being shown by the SCC will focus on the changes in her works using a more personal lens, highlighting the creative and technical evolutions she went through throughout her life. 

Both installations work in tandem to tell one united story—the story of an artist with vast talent and unending dedication, whose works had a tremendous impact on the art and craft community in Saskatchewan. The installations include pieces from across various decades, preparatory drawings, fibre studies, and archival materials, all woven together in an intricate display of who Harris was as an artist. 

Throughout her career, she continuously showed immense passion, talent, creativity, and industriousness. Her art, and this collection in particular, is a testament to that. Her technical skill, use of colour, unique designs, and innovation all cemented her as a pillar in the community ensuring a long-lasting legacy. 

Visit these installations while they’re still on display, and experience the impact Harris had on textile craftsmanship across Canada.