At The Alcove, three friends create their own symphony of joy with laughter and music. (Selome Asrat, CMRU.ca)
Creative expression has taken hold in Calgary in the form of a community where artists come together to express their passion. Founded in 2020 by the inventive duo, Bethel Afework and Dennis Lee, friends who shared a vision for a space where creativity can be inspiring, The Alcove Centre for the Arts has become a destination for those seeking a unique blend of recreation and art. They built The Alcove from the ground up.
The Alcove is a place for friends to create art
Picture this: a place where friends gather, imagination juices flow, and a sense of community thrives. Fueled by a passion for providing an accessible and diverse space for creative minds, Bethel and Dennis embarked on a journey to bring their vision to life. The result? A recreational art space that crosses traditional boundaries, or in Bethel’s words, “it’s really like a gym for people to exercise their creative muscle, is like what we hope to accomplish”. The Alcove kicked off its journey by organizing pop-up events across many venues in Calgary, showcasing what a recreational art space could truly be. The response was incredible, making the way for many art workshops available for all ages and skill levels. From the smooth beats of music workshops to the stunning works of painting and drawing sessions.
The Alcove has something for everyone. The Alcove demonstrates its dedication to inclusiveness with its diverse range of workshops and events. The Alcove has workshops and events people can attend or you can walk in, ask the front desk for the equipment you are looking for, and make your artistic dreams a reality.
Listed below are some things The Alcove offers :
- Arts supplies
- Games
- Books
- Instruments
- Open jams
- Raw voices
- Creative mixers
The Alcove events and artistic collaborations
You can take a look at their upcoming events. With events happening weekly, there’s always an opportunity to unleash your artistic potential. The Alcove is more than just a space for events and workshops; it’s a community-driven organization that collaborates with local art organizations, clubs, and groups to turn their ideas into reality. The space becomes a place for creativity, a stage for performing artists, and a center for artistic collaboration.
Join the community
Step into the recreational art space, open to all, where rules do not limit creativity but thrives in a casual, social, and inclusive environment. Everyone is welcomed to explore and embrace their creative minds. At The Alcove, creativity is not just encouraged, it’s celebrated. You can become a part of this community, and let your creativity be seen.
Personal reflection:
During the process of shooting this video, I realized the Alcove project could have a significant impact on the community. Serving as a diverse and welcoming hangout spot, it offers a safe haven for friends, family, and everyone to gather, engage in conversations, and participate in many activities. The Alcove goes beyond being a physical space, it plays a role in providing a non-judgmental environment where individuals can be their authentic selves. As I interviewed Bethel, who has an easygoing personality, the light unexpectedly went out. She wasn’t angry because the interview might take longer, but instead, we laughed about it. I enjoyed filming with Bethel because of her patience and collaborative spirit, and she allowed me unlimited access to The Alcove. She was very understanding when technical difficulties happened and never rushed anything.
Throughout this project, I’ve gained valuable experience, realizing the importance of proactive planning for unforeseen circumstances or potential setbacks. Bethel’s interview taught me the significance of involving clients or interviewees in decision-making, as they may offer valuable insights and ideas. This storytelling project allowed me to acquire more knowledge about letting clients, or someone you are interviewing to have a say on what to show because they might have some more ideas.
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