Central Library's Artist in Residence programs are three-month, paid community engagement residencies that support individual artists, arts organizations, and collectives working in Indigenous art and place making, children's art and illustration, or the newcomer experience.
The resident is invited to work in a designated space at Central Library and engage with the public at libraries across the city. Artists are selected in partnership with arts and culture organizations.
Samuel Obadero is a skilled lifestyle photographer and a strong new voice for social advocacy in Calgary. Receiving the 2019 Calgary Catholic Immigration Society New Canadian Artist Award at the recent Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions, his current project, The Forgotten Ones, gives voice to marginalized groups in Calgary through powerful imagery.
Born an acute stammerer, communication was quite difficult. Art was his safe place. Seven years ago, Samuel discovered digital photography and it quickly became a tool for social advocacy. Through his lens, Samuel documents special moments with true emotions and translate them into memories.
During Samuel’s residency at the Central Library, he will be showcasing some works, exhibiting The Forgotten Ones project, facilitating photography trainings, sharing his work process, and his inspirations and aspirations.
The vision of The Forgotten Ones project is to create awareness and initiate conversations about the marginalized in our community.
The Newcomer Artist in Residence is in partnership with the Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions.
Through their residency, chosen artists working in any artistic discipline will bring their Indigenous identities, experiences, and perspectives to the public. Indigenous Artist in Residence applications open in the winter.
The Newcomer Artist in Residence is an artist who recently arrived in Canada (five years or less) and is the winner of the annual Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) New Canadian Artist Award at the Mayor’s Luncheon for Arts Champions.
This residency recognizes the contribution of children’s artists to literature through exhibitions and workshops for all ages. Applications for this residency are due August 12, 2019.
