Our three seasonal Artists in Residence are paid community engagement residencies that support artists, collectives, and arts organizations working in Indigenous art and placemaking, children's art and illustration, or the Newcomer experience.
Residents work in a designated space at Central Library and engage with the public at libraries across the city.
Rachel specializes in cozy and colourful watercolor illustrations full of whimsical characters for children looking for a little magic. Her work is full of texture and atmosphere with an eye for detail and humour. She loves kids and animals in wondrous worlds that invite the viewer to climb right in and stay awhile. Her illustrations are created with traditional mediums. It all starts in her sketchbook with pencil and paper. After many sketches, thumbnails, and colour roughs, her final illustrations are made with watercolour. Then final details, depth, and texture are added with her favourite pencil crayons and artist crayons, and the occasional pen, marker, or ink.
The Children's Illustrator in Residence is pleased to connect with artists of all ages and experience levels to discuss career pathways to become a visual artist, including illustration and animation, learn what a day in the life of a visual artist looks like, and understand resources and opportunities for artistic projects and more.
Attend free programs with Rachel Curtis during her residency.
Check out this list of books recommended by Rachel Curtis.
Through their residency, chosen artists working in any artistic discipline will bring their Indigenous identities, experiences, and perspectives to the public.
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.
