How a small gathering in a one-bedroom apartment has grown into a thriving hub for local art. 

Colourful spotlights illuminated the concrete walls adorned with photographs, sculptures, and mixed media, while a playlist of female artists from Etta James to PinkPantheress reverberated throughout the venue on 3rd Avenue South.

Projected onto the walls, Selfie featured Leo Lauren Conquergood spinning in slow motion, her body overlaid with home videos of childhood memories, while Molly Schikosky’s Mirror, Mirror showcased generations of women reflecting on their experiences, weaving together a powerful narrative of hopes, dreams, and shared histories, drawing visitors into the heart of the gallery.

In a cozy corner with a zebra print rug and fluffy pillows, an old box TV sat on a stand adorned with eclectic personal items, creating a welcoming, private space—a world apart within the gallery. Seated on the pillows, visitors donned headphones to watch Emma Zuck’s experimental documentary Stubble. For a few minutes, they were immersed in Zuck’s world, sharing a quiet connection with the person beside them.

A murmur of voices swirled together as guests moved from piece to piece, pausing to reflect and share their thoughts. This wasn’t just a pop-up gallery—it was a celebration of the potential hidden within Saskatoon’s streets, classrooms, and studios.

An Origin Story Rooted in Community

After leaving a stagnant sales job, founder Shawn Setyo wondered how he could showcase the creative and talented people he was surrounded by in Saskatoon. The concept of The 525 took root during moments of reflection in art galleries and afternoons spent by the river.

“Life almost gives you the answers when you are living freely,” Setyo shares in the origin story on their website. In 2018, he transformed his single-bedroom apartment—number 525—into a makeshift gallery to bring together local artists. What began as an intimate gathering of art enthusiasts marked the start of a movement that continues to evolve and shape Saskatoon’s vibrant art scene.

Fast forward to today, and the torch has passed to a new generation of leaders, including Principal Director Kehan Fu and Creative Director Rowen Dinsmore, who continue to push the boundaries of what local art can achieve. After Setyo’s initial apartment shows, The 525 evolved under new leadership in 2021, when Fu and Isabel Bacalao revived the organization with DONDA, an exhibition featuring local artists like Dinsmore, a then-BFA student at USask. Until February 2024, the team consisted of three members, but as Dinsmore noted, it seems to triple with each new show.

The shift from apartment shows to larger venues reflects not only growth but also the community’s increasing support for local art. Despite this rapid expansion, The 525 remains, as their website states, “forever rooted in an idea between friends to make art accessible and central to Saskatchewan.”

The Vision: Art as Saskatoon’s Cultural Heartbeat

During our conversation, Fu highlighted the three core values driving The 525’s philosophy. The first value is the intentionality of creating space for art and culture, which he sees as key to the group’s success. He pointed out that The 525 has never relied on traditional advertising, reflecting the community’s strong appetite for grassroots art events. The second is a dedication to hard work and continuous improvement, which leads naturally to their third value: iteration. For The 525 team, iteration is more than a process—it’s a philosophy of continuous learning and adaptation.

Fu discussed both the opportunities and challenges of hosting pop-up events in new spaces for each exhibition. “Experimentation is the key to growth,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of understanding what can be improved and accepting the limitations of certain spaces. For Fu, The 525’s process of iteration is about “making people rethink and reimagine what’s possible in a city,” embracing each exhibition as a chance to push boundaries.

The 525’s Most Recent Exhibition: Unbecoming

The sold-out “Unbecoming” explored themes such as matriarchal lineage, identity, and the evolution of womanhood through the eyes of ten female-identifying artists. The works ranged from photography and sculpture to mixed media and film, each piece contributing to an intricate tapestry of perspectives.

The exhibition’s curatorial statement explained: “‘Unbecoming’ challenges and reclaims a phrase historically weaponized against women. It simultaneously references the unpacking and unraveling of the generational impact left on women by women.”

Curated by Dinsmore and guest curator Schikosky and supported by grants from organizations such as the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan and the Aerie Real Foundation, “Unbecoming” created a space where diverse expressions of femininity converged. Each piece provided a window into the artist’s personal journey, weaving together multifaceted portrayals of womanhood. 

A Platform For Connection and Competition

Fu spoke of creating spaces where artists feel supported and where audiences can engage deeply with the work: “It’s my job to help keep this machine going. It’s my passion to build things that bring people together.” He believes that this process thrives when the next generation is “given the opportunity, the capacity, the infrastructure, and the ecosystem to take that on.”

Fu envisions The 525 as a platform for fostering connections—between artists, between art and audience, and between the past and the future of the local art scene: “For us, perhaps the greatest measure of success is other organizations watching what we do with bated breath, aspiring to achieve more.”

He emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative and competitive community: “We don’t want to be the only one in the game. We want to be one of many in a place of healthy community, but also healthy competition.”

Fu also reflected on The 525’s legacy: “Hopefully… Everyone that’s volunteered, everyone who has been with us, or just experienced us for a short stay [feels] that we passed on something for them—that our torch, our spirit is defined and exemplified through the success of everyone else.”

Opportunities to Get Involved

For those eager to engage with the Saskatoon art scene, The 525 is looking for dedicated individuals passionate about art and community-building to join their team. Whether as a volunteer, artist, or supporter, there’s a place for everyone. Beyond The 525, Saskatoon is filled with opportunities to connect and create.  

A Future Rooted in Collaboration

As The 525 continues to grow, their vision extends beyond individual events. They hope to inspire others to dream bigger, to see art not as a luxury but as a necessity—a part of Saskatoon’s DNA. Their work reminds us that art thrives in the spaces where creativity and community intersect.

As the night wound down, I couldn’t help but reflect on Kehan’s words and the energy that filled the gallery. Events like “Unbecoming” demonstrate how art can serve as both a mirror and a window: a way to reflect on our shared experiences and envision new possibilities. The 525’s success is a testament to what can happen when individuals come together with a shared purpose. It’s proof that Saskatoon’s creative heart beats strong—if you take the time to look for it, you’ll find it thriving in every corner of the city.

The 525’s story is a challenge to all of us—students, young professionals, and art enthusiasts alike—to take part in shaping the cultural identity of our city. Whether that means attending exhibitions, volunteering, or even creating your own space for art, the opportunity is there for the taking.