On April 5, 2025, the Art Gallery of St. Albert in Alberta, Canada, welcomed a large audience (a small portion of which is shown below) for its Slow Art Day event, which featured an inspiring artist talk by Alberta’s Artist in Residence, Samantha Williams-Chapelsky alongside the exploration of a moving exhibition by Edmonton-based artist Edith Chu.
To start, artist Samantha Williams-Chapelsky shared her journey as a professional artist, offering insights into her creative process, the challenges she’s overcome, and her experiences representing Alberta’s vibrant arts community. She also reflected on the future of visual arts, addressing current trends, emerging opportunities, and the evolving role of artists in Alberta and beyond.
Visitors were also invited to experience the exhibition “Sweet and Sour Memories” by Edmonton artist Edith Chu. In this exhibition, Chu looks back on her life growing up in her family’s restaurant Szechuen Cuisine. Her memories of this time form the foundation of her experience as a first-generation Canadian. Delicate watercolor paintings of restaurant life capture the day-to-day, family photos are drawn onto replica guest cheques, and Edith’s memories are captured in sculptural takeout boxes and narrative photographs.
The event also included a range of interactive activities: visitors created their own memorable buildings on envelopes in the Art Nook, completed a gallery-wide iSpy challenge, and engaged with an activity book designed for “Sweet and Sour Memories,” which encouraged participants to design their own takeout noodle boxes. Free refreshments added to the warm, welcoming atmosphere.
We at Slow Art Day HQ love to see such multifaceted events, and look forward to seeing what Leah Louden and the whole team at Art Gallery of St. Albert create for Slow Art Day 2026.
– Ashley, Johanna, Jessica Jane, and Phyl
P.S. Stay connected with the Art Gallery of St. Albert on Facebook and Instagram.
