ICAI Exhibitions & Performances
In collaboration with local arts and community organizations, ICAI hosts multiple exhibitions and performances. These events serve as platforms for immigrant and newcomer arts professionals to showcase their artwork, foster connections within a new community, and captivate fresh audiences. Such initiatives empower immigrant and newcomer arts professionals, enabling them to establish enduring ties within Alberta's vibrant arts landscape.
The realization of these exhibitions and performances owes much to the invaluable support of our partners and the local arts community in Alberta. Through the facilitation of equitable and accessible showcases, ICAI cultivates an environment where arts professionals can not only express their talent but also refine their skills. This collective effort enriches the diversity and vitality of both the arts scene and the broader cultural fabric of Alberta.
ICAI Exhibitions
Reverence
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Exhibition Duration
April 4 - 30, 2026Location
Calgary Central LibraryExhibition Statement:
This body of work grows from a deep respect for living beings and for the bonds that shape us from within. The paintings hold moments of closeness between people and animals, where trust, care, and affection come into view. Alongside them, the sculptures give form to inner emotional life, carrying feeling in a more intimate and reflective way. Together, these works speak to what is most enduring in us: love, sensitivity, vulnerability, and the need to remain connected to what is genuine.Reverence speaks to a profound regard for life, and for the moments that bring us back to ourselves beneath the noise of everyday life. To hold something in reverence is to meet it with care, humility, and emotional openness. In this exhibition, that spirit lives in gestures of closeness, in the presence of animals, and in the emotional weight carried by the human form. Reverence is an invitation to honour tenderness, empathy, and heartfelt connection as essential parts of what makes us human.
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Nacim Ruintan-Tehrani is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She has a diverse professional background spanning multiple areas of art and design and holds three academic degrees, including a Master’s Degree in Industrial Design and a Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Fine Arts from the University of North Florida. Her paintings evoke an emotional connection to nature and its inhabitants, inviting viewers to contemplate the beauty that is gradually fading from our lives. Through her work, she encourages viewers to slow down, feel deeply, and reconnect with the empathy, wonder, and quiet truths that make life meaningful.
Her strong background in design informs her mixed-media sculptures, enabling her to develop complex structures with intention and sensitivity. In her creative process, Nacim embraces the challenge of experimenting with a wide range of materials and techniques, often seeking new and unexplored ways to express herself. Deeply inspired by nature and its infinite textures, colours, and forms, she is passionate about art in all its expressions. She is a Juried Member of the Alberta Society of Artists and a member of Artpoint Gallery and Studios Society, and her work is held in private collections around the world.
Open Spaces Windows to a View
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Exhibition Duration
September 11 - November 3rd, 2025Location
Windows on 7th Ave LRT Platform, Telus Convention CentreExhibition Statement:
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI), in partnership with Calgary Arts Development (CADA), proudly presents Open Spaces: Windows to a View—a year-long exhibition transforming the windows of the Telus Convention Centre into dynamic canvases. From September 2024 to November 2025, ten talented ICAI members and immigrant artists will showcase their work, each for three months, bringing their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic stories to life.Each installation will be a unique expression of creativity and identity, turning public space into an inspiring place of connection. Open Spaces highlights the diversity, creativity, and unique voices that infuse Calgary’s arts scene with energy and life, showcasing the rich artistic spirit of the community.
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Samuel Obadero is a Nigerian-Canadian artist, photographer, and creative director whose work bridges continents and communities. Based in Calgary, he is the founder of Motif Photography; the city’s first Black-owned professional studio and a passionate storyteller with over two decades of experience. His lens documents the nuance of Black identity, migration, and memory, weaving portraits and textures into visual poetry. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the quiet resilience of Calgary's Afro-diasporic communities, Samuel’s work invites reflection and reverence. A Legacy Award recipient for New Canadian Artist of the Year and a featured speaker at Nikon Canada’s Profusion Conference, he continues to shape cultural narratives while mentoring the next generation of visual creatives and championing Mental Health Conversations.
Open Spaces Windows to a View
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Exhibition Duration
June - August 2025Location
Windows on 7th Ave LRT Platform, Telus Convention CentreExhibition Statement:
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI), in partnership with Calgary Arts Development (CADA), proudly presents Open Spaces: Windows to a View—a year-long exhibition transforming the windows of the Telus Convention Centre into dynamic canvases. From September 2024 to August 2025, eight talented ICAI members and immigrant artists will showcase their work, each for three months, bringing their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic stories to life.Each installation will be a unique expression of creativity and identity, turning public space into an inspiring place of connection. Open Spaces highlights the diversity, creativity, and unique voices that infuse Calgary’s arts scene with energy and life, showcasing the rich artistic spirit of the community.
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Ensieh Farrokhi is a visual artist whose work explores realism and hyperrealism through coloured pencil, watercolour, oil, and pastel. Deeply inspired by nature, she creates detailed, original artworks that reflect the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Ensieh began painting at the age of six, and over the years, nature has remained her greatest teacher and source of inspiration.
Settling in Transition
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Exhibition Duration
April 7-31st, 2025Location
Calgary Central Library, Level -0Exhibition Statement:
Join us for a captivating exhibition by the talented artist Firuze Avci, showcasing her ceramic and pottery work themed around 'Settling in Transition'. Explore the beautiful pieces and immerse yourself in the artist's unique perspective on transitions. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to experience art in a whole new light! -
Firuze Avci is a Turkish ceramic artist based in Calgary since 2022. With a background in sociology, she explores themes of feminism, immigration, and empathy through clay. Trained by master potters and experienced in various techniques, she works across traditional pottery, conceptual art, and interactive installations. Incorporating sculptural elements into her pieces, Firuze uses ceramics as a medium for storytelling, advocacy, and social reflection.
Open Spaces Windows to a View
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Exhibition Duration
March - May 2025Location
Windows on 7th Ave LRT Platform, Telus Convention CentreExhibition Statement:
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI), in partnership with Calgary Arts Development (CADA), proudly presents Open Spaces: Windows to a View—a year-long exhibition transforming the windows of the Telus Convention Centre into dynamic canvases. From September 2024 to August 2025, eight talented ICAI members and immigrant artists will showcase their work, each for three months, bringing their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic stories to life.Each installation will be a unique expression of creativity and identity, turning public space into an inspiring place of connection. Open Spaces highlights the diversity, creativity, and unique voices that infuse Calgary’s arts scene with energy and life, showcasing the rich artistic spirit of the community.
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Fauzan Mirza, an artist, architect, and designer based in Calgary, Canada and originally from India. His work blends realism with abstraction, crafting narratives that unfold with each brushstroke. Fauzan is also an architectural designer, expanding the reach and application of his creativity across fields that bridge art and architecture.
Open Spaces Windows to a View
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Exhibition Duration
December 2024 - February 2025Location
Windows on 7th Ave LRT Platform, Telus Convention CentreExhibition Statement:
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI), in partnership with Calgary Arts Development (CADA), proudly presents Open Spaces: Windows to a View—a year-long exhibition transforming the windows of the Telus Convention Centre into dynamic canvases. From September 2024 to August 2025, eight talented ICAI members and immigrant artists will showcase their work, each for three months, bringing their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic stories to life.Each installation will be a unique expression of creativity and identity, turning public space into an inspiring place of connection. Open Spaces highlights the diversity, creativity, and unique voices that infuse Calgary’s arts scene with energy and life, showcasing the rich artistic spirit of the community.
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Fatima Hammoud is a Pakistani self-taught artist specializing in oil painting and realism. Her internationally recognized works have been showcased at the Adham Art Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and include a notable piece, The Mysterious Lady, acquired by Princess Hayfaa Bent Abdullah Ben Abdulaziz Al Saud. Based in Calgary, Fatima continues to create stunning portraits and shares her expertise through her YouTube channel, Realism Artist Fatima.
I Speak Art IV
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Exhibition Duration
November, 2024 – March, 2025Location
Arts Commons +15 GALLERIES -
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI) is proud to introduce eight visual artists that are newcomers to both the arts community and Canada. This exhibition is awarded to graduates of Newcomer Arts Professional Program (NAPP), previously called Immigrant Arts Mentorship Program (IAMP).
This year-long program connects the top twenty immigrant artists in Alberta as chosen by a jury of experts and immigrant artists, to established artists and mentors. The artists, from all over the world, share their perspectives as immigrants and their self-expressions as artists in this powerful new exhibition.
Featured Artists:
Wage Earner
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Exhibition Duration
October 5 - 31, 2024Exhibition Reception
October 5, 2024Location
Calgary Central Library Level 4 -
Saeed Abdollahi is an Iranian photographer and architect based in Calgary. Holding an MFA from the University of Calgary, Saeed’s award-winning work highlights marginalized communities, drawing on his own immigrant experience to promote social change.
I Speak Art III
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Exhibition Duration
January 22 - May 5, 2024Exhibition Reception
Thursday May 2, 2024Location
+15 Galleries, Arts Commons -
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI) is proud to introduce seven visual artists that are newcomers to both the arts community and Canada. This exhibition features the artists and members of The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI) from all over the world, and share their perspectives as immigrants and their self expressions as artists in this powerful new exhibition.
Exhibiting Artists: Liss Febrero, Alex Hurman, Bijila Nishanth, Yiyo Partida, Mitra Samavaki, Saloni Sharma, Sara Sibrián
Open Spaces Windows to a View
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Exhibition Duration
September 11 - November 3rd, 2025Location
Windows on 7th Ave LRT Platform, Telus Convention CentreExhibition Statement:
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI), in partnership with Calgary Arts Development (CADA), proudly presents Open Spaces: Windows to a View—a year-long exhibition transforming the windows of the Telus Convention Centre into dynamic canvases. From September 2024 to November 2025, ten talented ICAI members and immigrant artists will showcase their work, each for three months, bringing their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic stories to life.Each installation will be a unique expression of creativity and identity, turning public space into an inspiring place of connection. Open Spaces highlights the diversity, creativity, and unique voices that infuse Calgary’s arts scene with energy and life, showcasing the rich artistic spirit of the community.
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Richa Shukla is an Abstract Realism artist known for her soul-touching and transformative works that blend reality and imagination. Born and raised in the diamond capital of India, Richa’s passion for art blossomed at a young age. She spent her childhood sketching with her father on sandy beaches, doodling on her denim, and filling the back of her school books with sketches. Her love for art led her to pursue formal studies in commercial arts, culminating in two successful exhibitions in her home country within a year.
In 2006, Richa moved to Canada with her husband, where she devoted herself to raising her children. For nearly 15 years, her artistic aspirations took a backseat as she embraced the role of a mother. However, a fateful encounter with a mentor on social media rekindled her creative spirit. Completed her master program with Milan Art Institute. Over the past four years, Richa has reemerged as a passionate artist, creating compelling artworks and commissions that resonate with collectors around the world.
Her art reflects her personal journey of resilience, balance, and rediscovery, capturing the raw energy of life while inviting viewers to reconnect with their instincts, spirituality, and the natural world. Through her work, she celebrates the universal connection that binds all living things, inspiring introspection and a deeper sense of purpose.
With each new creation, Richa strives to touch the hearts of her audience, offering a window into profound truths and a higher sense of creativity. Her upcoming releases continue to embody this vision, marking another milestone in her evolving artistic journey.
Open Spaces Windows to a View
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Exhibition Duration
June - August 2025Location
Windows on 7th Ave LRT Platform, Telus Convention CentreExhibition Statement:
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI), in partnership with Calgary Arts Development (CADA), proudly presents Open Spaces: Windows to a View—a year-long exhibition transforming the windows of the Telus Convention Centre into dynamic canvases. From September 2024 to August 2025, eight talented ICAI members and immigrant artists will showcase their work, each for three months, bringing their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic stories to life.Each installation will be a unique expression of creativity and identity, turning public space into an inspiring place of connection. Open Spaces highlights the diversity, creativity, and unique voices that infuse Calgary’s arts scene with energy and life, showcasing the rich artistic spirit of the community.
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Bukhtawar Malik is a visual artist with over six years of experience working with both traditional and digital media. She enjoys experimenting with oils, acrylics, screen printing, and murals, bringing stories to life through rich colours and intricate details.
Her art explores emotions and the connection between nature and humanity. Drawing influence from Art Nouveau and Art Deco, she blends symbolism with a deep appreciation for composition, details, patterns, and colour harmony.
Hope and Love for Humanity
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Exhibition Duration
April 6-31, 2024Exhibition Opening
April 6, 2024, 3-5pm (Doors at 2:30pm)Location
Calgary Central Library, Level 0 -
Fadi Alkhouri is a seasoned artist with over three decades of experience in Fine Arts. As a member of the Syrian Plastic Artists Union, his contributions to the world of art are both profound and prolific. With a portfolio boasting over 400 artworks, including sculptures and paintings, Fadi's creative journey has been nothing short of remarkable. From Syria to Lebanon, his works have captivated audiences and garnered awards, with many sculptures now gracing public spaces in Syria. Fadi's artistry, now rooted in Calgary, Alberta, continues to evolve, drawing inspiration from the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Open Spaces Windows to a View
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Exhibition Duration
December 2024 - February 2025Location
Windows on 7th Ave LRT Platform, Telus Convention CentreExhibition Statement:
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI), in partnership with Calgary Arts Development (CADA), proudly presents Open Spaces: Windows to a View—a year-long exhibition transforming the windows of the Telus Convention Centre into dynamic canvases. From September 2024 to August 2025, eight talented ICAI members and immigrant artists will showcase their work, each for three months, bringing their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic stories to life.Each installation will be a unique expression of creativity and identity, turning public space into an inspiring place of connection. Open Spaces highlights the diversity, creativity, and unique voices that infuse Calgary’s arts scene with energy and life, showcasing the rich artistic spirit of the community.
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Elena Faushteyn is a Moldovan-born mixed-media artist whose innovative creations utilize recyclable materials to craft captivating art objects. With influences from living in four countries—Moldova, Ukraine, Turkey, and Canada—her work reflects transformation, emotion, and cultural diversity. Now based in Calgary, Elena continues to inspire through her unique style and artistic exploration.
Open Spaces Windows to a View
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Exhibition Duration
September - November 2024Location
Windows on 7th Ave LRT Platform, Telus Convention CentreExhibition Statement:
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI), in partnership with Calgary Arts Development (CADA), proudly presents Open Spaces: Windows to a View—a year-long exhibition transforming the windows of the Telus Convention Centre into dynamic canvases. From September 2024 to August 2025, eight talented ICAI members and immigrant artists will showcase their work, each for three months, bringing their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic stories to life.Each installation will be a unique expression of creativity and identity, turning public space into an inspiring place of connection. Open Spaces highlights the diversity, creativity, and unique voices that infuse Calgary’s arts scene with energy and life, showcasing the rich artistic spirit of the community.
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Alexander Akhere Oriaifo, a Nigerian-born Hyperrealist, brings everyday moments to life with breathtaking detail in charcoal and graphite. His intricate works capture the beauty of realism, transforming ordinary scenes into extraordinary pieces of art that resonate with emotion and depth. Experience the transformative power of Alexander’s hyperrealistic art at the 7th Ave LRT Platform this fall!
Natural Beauty of Alberta
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Exhibition Duration
October 5-31, 2023Exhibition Opening
October 5, 2023, 6:30pmLocation
Calgary Central Library, Level 0 -
Zahra Entezari is a painter, photographer, and art instructor based in Calgary, originally from Shiraz, Iran. She moved to Calgary, Canada in 2018. Zahra is also an alumna of ICAI’s first Immigrant Arts Mentorship Program, further showcasing her dedication to the arts community!
With a wealth of over 25 years of experience, Zahra has worked with various mediums, and oil and pastel are her favourites. The focal point of much of her artworks revolve around landscape. Nature profoundly influences her and remains a constant source of inspiration. Within her creations, light and color are playing essential roles in shaping her artistic expression.
Zahra’s art works were exhibited across Iran in many provincial and national exhibitions. Presently, she is building her audience in Calgary, Alberta. Notably, some of her artworks were displayed at ‘Arts Commons’, Calgary in 2022, and at ‘Three Sister Gallery’, Canmore in 2023. Zahra received the prestigious ‘Immigrant Distinction Award’ in the realm of ‘Art & Culture’ in Calgary, Canada, in the year 2022.
Open Spaces Windows to a View
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Exhibition Duration
March - May 2025Location
Windows on 7th Ave LRT Platform, Telus Convention CentreExhibition Statement:
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI), in partnership with Calgary Arts Development (CADA), proudly presents Open Spaces: Windows to a View—a year-long exhibition transforming the windows of the Telus Convention Centre into dynamic canvases. From September 2024 to August 2025, eight talented ICAI members and immigrant artists will showcase their work, each for three months, bringing their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic stories to life.Each installation will be a unique expression of creativity and identity, turning public space into an inspiring place of connection. Open Spaces highlights the diversity, creativity, and unique voices that infuse Calgary’s arts scene with energy and life, showcasing the rich artistic spirit of the community.
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Muhammad Abdallah is a Calgary-based artist whose work spans across multiple mediums, including acrylic painting, pencil drawing, and sculpture. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for texture, his work is a reflection of the delicate balance between the raw beauty of nature and the refined elegance of human expression
Black2TheFuture
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Exhibition Duration
November 22nd - December 12thExhibition Reception
November 22nd, 2024, 6 PM - 9 PMLocation
Emmedia, 2005 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0K4 -
Samuel Kugbiyi is a multi-talented actor, writer, voiceover artist, songwriter, visual artist, speaker/host, and audio content creator and editor, bringing nearly a decade of experience in creating engaging content for stage, screen, and audio platforms.
He has collaborated with various media broadcasters, production houses, and theater companies, including his own ventures. In addition to his performing arts career, Samuel is also a visual artist, which led to a residency facilitated by ICAI with EMMedia Arts. He is also trained in social media strategy.
Samuel co-founded SAK Productions, a media and entertainment production company that has developed over a dozen performances and strategic content for organizations such as UNESCO, Global Rights, Amnesty International, and the BBC over the last five years.As a voice talent, Samuel has contributed to numerous international projects, including BBC Media Action’s “Story-Story” and the highly anticipated Nigerian All-Star animation “Iyanu” for HBO Max and Cartoon Network, premiering in Spring 2025.
Open Spaces Windows to a View
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Exhibition Duration
September - November 2024Location
Windows on 7th Ave LRT Platform, Telus Convention CentreExhibition Statement:
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI), in partnership with Calgary Arts Development (CADA), proudly presents Open Spaces: Windows to a View—a year-long exhibition transforming the windows of the Telus Convention Centre into dynamic canvases. From September 2024 to August 2025, eight talented ICAI members and immigrant artists will showcase their work, each for three months, bringing their diverse cultural backgrounds and artistic stories to life.Each installation will be a unique expression of creativity and identity, turning public space into an inspiring place of connection. Open Spaces highlights the diversity, creativity, and unique voices that infuse Calgary’s arts scene with energy and life, showcasing the rich artistic spirit of the community.
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Karine Nazaryan, a passionate Armenian-born paper artist, creates vibrant three-dimensional worlds using intricate paper quilling, collage, and cut-out techniques. Her art is alive with bold colors and dynamic forms, evoking joy, curiosity, and the wonder of life.
Urban Echoes
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Exhibition Duration
October 4 - 31, 2025Exhibition Reception
October 4, 2025 , 3:30pmLocation
Calgary Central Library Level 4Exhibition Statement
The Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI) is proud to introduce Oleh Kucheriavyi to the Arts Community in Calgary. Oleh is a very experienced and talented photographer and has done some amazing works in different parts of the world.
Two years ago, Oleh made Calgary his home - a city that continues to unfold before him with the wonder of a first encounter. ThroughUrban Echoes, he transforms that journey into images that invite us to rediscover the city’s beauty: familiar streets seen anew, infused with the freshness, curiosity, and quiet awe of a newcomer’s gaze.
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Oleh Kucheriavyi was born and raised in the small Ukrainian town of Okhtyrka, where he developed an early passion for capturing the beauty of everyday life. His journey later took him to Poland, where he studied photography at the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, deepening both his artistic vision and professional skills.
Two years ago, Oleh moved to Calgary, a city that continues to inspire him as he experiences it through the lens of a newcomer. This exhibition is his way of sharing that perspective—an invitation to see Calgary’s beauty as he sees it, with fresh eyes and a sense of discovery.