Upcycled Ecologies Collaging
WORKSHOP VENUE: CANMORE TOGETHER APRIL 8, 2026 I 7-9 P.M.
In partnership with Canmore Pride Society
In this mixed-media collage workshop, participants will transform reclaimed and natural materials into expressive visual stories. Led by Stoney mixed-media artist Cheyenne Suwataga-Mu and vegetation ecologist Rebecca Smith, the session blends ecological knowledge, and queer creative practice. Using upcycled materials, yarn, newspaper, found objects, and dried flowers, participants will create collages that explore relationships to land, identity, and environmental care.
Facilitators: Cheyenne Suwataga-Mu and Rebecca Smith
About the Project: Queer(y)ing Ecologies
How is queerness reflected in nature? Why does it matter? How have dominant scientific narratives shaped our understanding of gender and sexuality in the natural world, and what can we learn by looking beyond those assumptions?
The Queer(y)ing Ecologies workshop series will create space for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members to explore relationships between queerness, land, and environmental care through art, storytelling, and dialogue. Guided by local queer artists, knowledge holders, and facilitators, participants will engage in creative and reflective activities that connect personal experience with broader ecological themes, such as belonging, resilience, and alternative ways of relating to nature. The workshops will foster community connection, amplify underrepresented voices in environmental conversations, and support inclusive, justice-oriented approaches to climate and conservation in the Bow Valley.
This workshop series is intended for 2SLGBTQIA+ participants only and will center the lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. To help create a space where participants feel comfortable sharing openly about their experiences, these sessions are not intended for allies. We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize a safe and supportive environment for 2SLGBTQIA+ attendees.
Allies are warmly invited to engage with the work through the public art exhibition, which will run from August 12 to September 7, 2026. Join us for the opening reception on Thursday, August 13, 2026, where everyone is welcome to celebrate and experience the artwork created through this workshop series.