The City of St. Albert is excited to present Arts Exchange: Art as a Reflection of Identity and Community on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at the Art Gallery of St. Albert. 

Event participants will explore embracing identity, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) within artistic practices and programming choices. Featuring actor Jesse Lipscombe, writer Rayanne Haines, visual artist Max Quilliam and musician Darla Daniels, this panel-style discussion will leave artists and arts organizations feeling inspired and supported as they delve deeper into IDEA.

In what ways do diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility foster healthy arts organizations, and a healthier culture at large?

“I've spent at least the last 10 years, probably longer, really thinking about that question,” says Rayanne Haines.

Haines, an award-winning poet and writer who teaches Arts & Cultural Management at MacEwan University, is preparing to unpack that at this month’s Arts Exchange. The event is an opportunity for local artists to connect, share ideas and get involved in larger conversations. The topic “Art as a Reflection of Identity and Community” will bring Haines together with an incredible panel to explore those ideas. After all, art is often where new perspectives are first encountered, she notes.

“Most of the time, arts communities or artists are the people that are challenging perceptions and norms,” Haines says. “This is what art does. It asks us to challenge; it asks us to be the thinkers of change. And so, artists themselves are often the people that are at the forefront of facilitating change and instigating change, in a way that it's harder for big corporations or big institutions to be able to facilitate as quickly.” 

The panelists are all artists of varied backgrounds, and each brings their own unique point of view to the conversation. This will span from highlighting and celebrating artists of diverse backgrounds, to fostering positive work culture and ways to support and uplift individuals without bias.
Learn more about each presenter

Haines notes that in terms of exploring those concepts, even the language around how they’re presented can shape their perception. 

“A lot of what I am seeing or thinking about is how much that conversation has changed over the past 10 years,” Haines says. “So, understanding the term ‘intersectionality’, which didn't exist when I was first starting to think about these things. Recognizing that the languages have changed but also recognizing the way we use language: for instance, rather than using the term ‘marginalized community’ or ‘minority communities’, I use the term ‘people of the global majority’. So, recognizing the evolution of language in order to facilitate real change.” 

Some conversations around these topics can feel challenging or awkward, Haines notes, but having them is how we push towards genuine progress.

“I often say to people, get comfortable with being uncomfortable because that's where real change is facilitated.”

Join the City’s Arts Exchange on November 20 and be part of this important discussion. Hurry, there are only a limited number of spots available.
Get your tickets online today

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. Admission is $5 and includes time to view the current Art Gallery of St. Albert exhibit by local Indigenous artist Kiona Callihoo Ligtvoet

If ticket cost is a barrier, contact tbrooks@stalbert.ca to be added to the reservation list.

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Related Pages

Arts Exchange: Art as a Reflection of Identity and Community ›

Mayor's Celebration of the Arts ›

Public Art ›