Call for Submissions Coming Soon | Vulture Culture: Exploring the Art of Death

Edmonton Exhibition Dates: March 6 - July 10, 2027
Calgary Exhibition Dates: September 11 - October 30, 2027

Alberta Craft will soon be inviting submissions from Alberta makers for Vulture Culture: Exploring the Art of Death, an upcoming Feature Exhibition exploring the creative possibilities, histories, and ethical considerations of working with bones, hide, taxidermy, animal specimens, and other remnants and oddities of the natural world.

The term “Vulture Culture” describes a fascination with these materials and the possibilities they hold. For some makers, this interest begins with an appreciation for natural forms, anatomy, and the challenge of transforming unconventional materials. For others, it may be rooted in a curiosity with mortality, preservation, or the concept of memento mori (“remember, you will die”).

The exhibition will bring together Alberta artists working with these materials, considering both their creative potential and the complex histories surrounding their collection, preservation, and use. From traditional practices such as tanning and bushcraft to taxidermy, scientific specimen collection, and contemporary artistic approaches, these materials carry histories that are practical, cultural, and often complicated by colonialism, exploitation, and the treatment of animals and people.

Vulture Culture: The Art of Death will consider how artists engage with these materials today, inviting questions about our relationship with death and the natural world, the histories embedded in the objects we collect, and the possibilities for more thoughtful, sustainable, and ethical approaches to sourcing and working with remains.

The Call for Submissions will go live: November 30, 2026 and remain open until January 1st, 2027.

What to Prepare for Your Submission:

• A short statement (150-250 words). Describe

  • The materials you work with,

  • The processes or techniques you use, and

  • How your work engages with the themes of the exhibition

    • You might consider what draws you to working with these materials, what interests you about their physical qualities or histories, and/or how your work explored ideas around death, preservation, the natural world, and our relationship with animal remains.

• For each artwork, please provide:

  • Title

  • Year Made

  • Materials

  • Artwork Dimensions

  • Weight in Grams

  • Full Retail Value

  • Considerations for installing the work

  • Handling and care information for gallery staff and customers

• Upload 1-3 Images for each artwork you plan to submit.

  • Please upload high-quality images that help demonstrate the craft techniques used, surface details, and material qualities of your work.

This exhibition is curated by Jennifer Illanes, a multimedia artist based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). Jennifer holds a BFA with distinction in Sculpture from the Alberta University of the Arts, serves on the board of directors for the Calgary Allied Arts Foundation, and is the Alberta Craft's Retail Coordinator in Calgary. Her work explores themes of extravagance, magic, feminism, religion, and playful social critique.

The exhibition is supported by Steve Kary, President and Head of Research at Bare Bones Solutions. Steve holds a double major in Biology and Earth Science from the University of Alberta, with a focus on entomology and paleontology. He has worked as a paleontological consultant for over a decade, published research on fossil echinoids, and worked as an archaeological field technician.

For questions, please contact Jen Harris, Exhibition Coordinator, at jen@albertacraft.ab.ca.