Several southern Albertan artists have proved you can reclaim and beautify abandoned buildings with a new show called ‘Ruin And Reclamation.’

The show, featuring pieces from 37 different southern Alberta artists, includes variety of mediums, some really innovative works and a few rather disturbing ones like an old artistically soiled mattress scrawled with felt marked statements about love, lust and sex, which was amplified by a black light and an incense candle burning while Barry White‘s music played.

The show is in the old Leo Singer building, the site of a popular old clothing store, located  on 5th Street South, next to Express Coffee.

“This  building has been dead for  the past 10-12 years. So this show is about breathing life into dead urban spaces,” explained artist Rick Gillis during the grand opening, May 30.

Gillis is a member of the Potemkin Collective which is hosting the show from noon until  5 p.m. June 4-6 and 11-13 as well in the next couple weeks.

A group of local artists are bringing life back to abandoned spaces by holding a special art show, beginning May 30.

Over 25 southern Alberta and Lethbridge artists, members of the Potemkin Collective will be displaying their work at the old Singer clothing store. It is located  north of Express Coffee on fifth street south.

The show begins May 30 at 8 p.m., then runs June 4-6 and 11-13 from noon to 5 p.m..

The Potemkin Collective, who are hosting the show say their goal is to temporarily re-animate dead urban space.The Collective is a loose association of  Lethbridge artists who support the Lethbridge art scene, sharing ideas, techniques and sometimes work space.Some of them meet at Burning Ground Studios, beneath Henotic in the old fire hall.

Southern Alberta Art Gallery Art’s Alive and Well in the Schools

403.327.8770 in temporary location 324 5 Street South

Tues-Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 1-5pm
Runs May 3 - June 14, Opening Reception May 3, 1-3pm

Into the Streets: Avenues for Art
in temporary location 324 5 Street South

Tues-Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 1-5pm
Runs May 3 - September 19. Opening Rec. May 3, 3-5pm
 

Trianon Gallery    Early Work ~Group show featuring regional paintings

403.380.2787

Mon - Fri, 10am - 5pm
104 5 Street South
Runs May 2 - June 27. Opening Reception May 2, 8pm
 

U of L Faculty of Fine Arts  First Faculty ~ works from early art dept faculty

403.329.2616    Helen Christou Gallery, University of Lethbridge

Mon - Fri 10am - 4:30pm, Thurs 10am - 8:30pm 
Runs until May 29, Closing reception on May 29 
     
BFA Art Graduate Exhibition 
Main Gallery, University of Lethbridge 
Mon - Fri 10am - 4:30pm, Thurs 10am - 8:30pm 
Runs April 24 - May 29, Closing reception on May 29
        
Waterfield Gallery   Custom Icons, works by Will Osler
403.327.2813      Yates Memorial Theatre 10th Street & 4th Avenue

Mon-Fri 10am - 4:00pm, Also open during performances

Opening Reception May 3, 7-9pm