ArtistSpeak

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ArtistSpeak

Part Talk Show, Performance, and Craft Gathering Celebrating Artists in Conversation about the Intersections of Creativity and Life

06/02/2026

What does *home* mean to you?

Join us for a special ArtistSpeak* pop-up in collaboration with cSPACE Projects as we gather inside the RGO Treehouse for an evening of stories, performance, reflection, and connection.

Through poetry, music, conversation, and lived experience, featured artists Wakefield Brewster, Aditya Chaudhuri, Denise Clarke, and Virginia Jessica Sparvier-Wells will explore themes of home, belonging, creative identity, community, and the spaces that shape us.

📅 June 18, 2026
📍 cSPACE Marda Loop – RGO Treehouse (4th floor)
⏰ Doors 6:30 PM | Program 7:00 PM

🎟️ Tickets available now!

www.eventbrite.com/e/artistspeak-cspace-home-tickets-1990355450732

05/19/2026

Meet Featured Artist Pam Rocker

Pam Rocker (she/her) is an American/Canadian firebrand—Certified DEIB Specialist, consultant, performer, and writer who blends advocacy with humour. From Pride parades to Parliament Hill, she’s done everything from fronting a q***r feminist ukulele comedy band to helping push for federal legislation banning conversion therapy.

Having recently trained at legendary Los Angeles comedy institutions (UCB, The Groundlings), Pam is passionate about weaving laughter and groundedness into everything she does. She is the Director of Affirming Connections, a member of The Kinkonauts improv group; a proud WordFest host; and a consultant to organizations across North America to spark courageous conversations.

At ArtistSpeak* – Social Media, Pam will join us for a conversation about intentional online spaces, authenticity, community, and the realities of how social media shapes the way we connect with one another.

Join us May 28.

🎟️ RSVP using the link in bio.

05/15/2026

Meet Featured Artist Julie Olive / Shy Friend

“Being a goblin on the internet has been the smartest choice I could make to support my art.”

Julie Olive is the creator of SHY FRiEND — an alternative rock band from Calgary who are quickly spreading their unique brand of chaos across the world through their wild shows & catchy songs.

Julie has been a professional livestreamer and content creator for over 5 years, building a passionate fanbase who matches her brand of absurdity perfectly while supporting her musical endeavors IRL and online. Julie is a strong advocate for accessibility at her shows & uses her online expertise to create blended experiences that keep all of her supporters connected.

At ArtistSpeak* – Social Media, Julie will join us for a conversation on building community online, creating authentic digital spaces, and using social media to support artistic work both onstage and off.

Join us May 28.

🎟️ RSVP using the link in bio.

05/13/2026

Meet Featured Artist Tea Fannie

“Social media is my little kiki outlet and I happen to do music.”

Bold, unfiltered, and entirely herself, Tea Fannie uses social media less like a marketing machine and more like an extension of her personality — chaotic, funny, celebratory, emotional, and real.

Blending hip-hop, soul, sharp wit, and fearless storytelling, Tea has built a voice that refuses to fit neatly into an algorithm. Whether she’s sharing accomplishments, hyping up friends, cracking jokes, or dropping music that hits straight in the chest, her online presence reflects the same authenticity that powers her art.

Known for clever lyricism and unapologetic energy, Tea turns life’s highs and lows into music that doesn’t just play — it lingers.

At ArtistSpeak* – Social Media, Tea will unpack what it means to show up online as your full self in a world obsessed with polished branding and perfectly curated feeds.

Join us May 28.

🎟️ RSVP using the link in bio.

05/08/2026

The featured artists for ArtistSpeak* – Social Media are here.

On May 28, join us for an evening of conversation exploring how artists navigate visibility, algorithms, burnout, authenticity, and self-worth in a digital-first world featuring:

• Tea Fannie — Musician, Performer & Storyteller
• Julie Olive / SHY FRiEND — Musician, Livestreamer & Content Creator
• Pam Rocker — Performer, Writer & Advocate

Three distinct creative voices. One complicated relationship with social media.

Together, they’ll unpack the emotional realities of being creative online—how social media shapes not only how work is shared, but how artists connect with audiences, promote themselves, and see their own value.

📅 Thursday, May 28
🕐 Doors 6:30 PM | Program 7:00 PM
📍 Congress Coffee
🎟️ $20 advance / $25 door (link in bio)

Come for the conversation. Stay for the community.

Tag someone who needs to be in this room. Save this post. Come curious.

04/08/2026

What is social media doing to artists—and at what cost?

ArtistSpeak* – Social Media is an evening of conversation, storytelling, and community exploring the realities of being creative online: visibility, algorithms, self-promotion, burnout, and how it all shapes an artist’s sense of value.

Join us on May 28 at Congress Coffee for a thoughtful, honest discussion featuring Tea Fannie , Julie Oliver (Shy Friend , and Pam Rocker-St Armant .

Doors: 6:30 PM | Program: 7:00 PM
Tickets: $20 in advance / $25 at the door
Low-barrier ticket options available—email us to learn more.

🎟️ Get tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/artistspeak-social-media-tickets-1982724861434

If you’re an artist—or simply curious about the impact of social media on creative work—this conversation is for you.

03/09/2026

We’re proud to feature Jason Mehmel at ArtistSpeak* – A.I.

Jason is a Calgary-based writer, producer, and director, and the Artistic Director of Sage Theatre. His recent directing credits include Boom Baby, The Orange Dot, and A Year of Magical Thinking. He produces the annual IGNITE! Festival of Emerging Artists, mentors performing artists, and serves as organizer and speaker coach for TEDxYYC. His work spans theatre, short film, animation writing, and comics editing.

For some time, Jason has been researching artificial intelligence dramaturgically. His recent collaboration with Bruce Barton of Vertical City Performance on reset explores artificial general intelligence through immersive performance, inviting audiences to question perception, memory, and consciousness.

Jason explores the difference between deduction and induction, intelligence and consciousness — and what makes human-made art irreplaceable, and we are thrilled to have his be a part of ArtistSpeak* – A.I. and look forward to this nuanced perspective on March 12.

RSVP using the link below!
www.eventbrite.ca/e/artistspeak-ai-tickets-1982716155394

03/06/2026

We are honoured to feature Uche Peter Umezurike at ArtistSpeak* – A.I.

Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English and the 2025–2026 Wayne O. McCready Emerging Fellow at the Calgary Institute for the Humanities, University of Calgary. He is the author of Masculinities in Nigerian Fiction: Receptivity and Gender and literary works including there’s more, Double Wahala, Double Trouble, and co-editor of Please Don’t Interrupt. His latest poetry collection, We Survived Until We Could Live, will be released in April 2026.

His contribution brings a critical literary and philosophical depth to this dialogue where creativity and A.I. meet and invites critical reflection on what may be gained, what may be lost, and who benefits in this rapidly evolving landscape.

We look forward to this important contribution to the conversation on March 12.

RSVP using the link below!
www.eventbrite.ca/e/artistspeak-ai-tickets-1982716155394

03/04/2026

We’re pleased to highlight Lucky Leggott, featured artist for ArtistSpeak* – A.I.

Lucky is an independent illustrator, animator, and 3D Modeller who graduated from Calgary’s Visual College of Art & Design. Lucky’s artistic journey began in Central Memorial’s Performing and Visual Arts program, where they trained in traditional illustration before transitioning into digital and 3D software. Today, they focus on freelance commissions, storyboard design, independent film projects, and character development.

We look forward to hearing Lucky expand on this perspective on March 12 at ArtistSpeak* – A.I.

RSVP using the link below. We hope you’ll join the conversation!

www.eventbrite.ca/e/artistspeak-ai-tickets-1982716155394

03/02/2026

We’re excited to officially announce the featured artists for ArtistSpeak* – A.I. !!

• Uche Peter Umez — Writer, Author and Educator
• Lucky Leggot — Animator, Illustrator and 3D Modeller
• Jason Mehmel — Director, Producer and Writer

On Thursday, March 12, these artists will share how artificial intelligence is influencing their creative practices — from authorship and labour to experimentation, resistance, and possibility.

ArtistSpeak* – A.I. is part talk show, part conversation, and part collective making space (including a collaborative zine activity).

📅 Thursday, March 12
🕐 Doors 4:30 PM | Program 5:00 PM
📍Trico Changemakers Studio @ MRU
🎟️ Free with RSVP (Link below)

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/artistspeak-ai-tickets-1982716155394

This event is made accessible thanks to the generous support of Mount Royal University’s Institute for Community Prosperity.

We hope you’ll join us for an evening of thoughtful dialogue and creative exchange. If you’re attending, let us know in the comments.

Address

Calgary, AB

Website

https://linktr.ee/artistspeakyyc, http://www.artistspeakyyc.com/

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