Chestermere’s painters, musicians, photographers, writers, performers and young creators are receiving some official recognition this month as the city marks September 2026 as Month of the Artist.
City council issued the proclamation at its September 1 meeting, recognizing the contribution artists make to Chestermere’s social, cultural and economic life. It also acknowledged the importance of creativity to the overall well-being of the community.
That recognition matters because much of Chestermere’s creative life happens quietly. It can be found in home studios, rehearsal rooms, classrooms, library programs, community events and informal gatherings. Local creators may spend months preparing work before residents see the finished painting, photograph, book, performance or song.
Chestermere’s identity has long been tied to its lake, but artists help interpret that identity. They record changing neighbourhoods, photograph community milestones, perform at festivals, teach children, tell local stories and create work inspired by the water, prairie sky and people who live here.
The Chestermere Fine Art Guild is one of the community’s established creative organizations. The guild brings artists together to learn, collaborate and exhibit their work. Its members work in watercolour, acrylics, drawing and other media, and its sessions and workshops welcome both experienced artists and people taking their first serious steps into art.
The Chestermere Public Library is also creating opportunities during Alberta Culture Days. Its Chestermere in Colour program includes separate youth and adult open studios on September 16. The resulting community exhibition is scheduled to open September 23 and continue until October 21, providing local residents with an opportunity to create and display their work.
Music has also become part of Chestermere’s public spaces. Summer Music in the Park brought performers to John Peake Park in August, combining live entertainment with the familiar lakeside setting. Events like these do more than fill an afternoon. They give musicians a stage, introduce audiences to performers they may not otherwise encounter and help turn shared spaces into places of community connection.
There are signs that visual art may become more visible in the city as well. In June, council directed administration to seek a community organization interested in leading a community art wall. The City’s proposed role would be limited to enabling support, with a report returning to council if a willing and capable partner is identified.
For younger residents, creativity can be about much more than developing artistic skill. It can provide confidence, friendship, a sense of identity and a safe way to communicate ideas that may be difficult to express in ordinary conversation.
Synergy Youth and Community Development Society offers programs that help young people build relationships, leadership and community involvement. Local initiatives such as heARTS are also working to create opportunities for at-risk and neurodivergent youth through artistic experiences, community events and support.
When creative spaces are welcoming and flexible, a young person does not need to be the best singer, painter, actor or dancer to belong. The value may be found in completing something, sharing an idea or discovering that others understand what they were trying to say.
Chestermere’s creative community still faces familiar challenges. Artists need affordable places to rehearse, exhibit and perform. They need audiences, promotion and opportunities to meet one another. Young creators need encouragement before they have polished portfolios, professional recordings or formal credentials.
Month of the Artist should therefore be more than a proclamation. It can be an invitation for residents to attend a local performance, purchase locally created work, visit an exhibition, register for a class or share the work of an emerging artist.
Anchor Media would also like to help bring more of those creators into view. The Chestermere Anchor and CFTR The Rogue reach an extended community of approximately 30,000 readers and listeners, giving artists a platform to introduce their work, discuss upcoming projects and connect with new audiences.
Local musicians, performers, visual artists, photographers, writers, poets, makers and creative organizations are invited to contact Anchor Media. We are particularly interested in emerging artists, youth creators and people whose work has not yet received much public attention.
Artists can introduce themselves by emailing rogue@anchormedia.ca. Include a short description of your work, links to anything you would like us to see or hear, details of upcoming appearances or exhibitions, and a photograph if one is available.
Chestermere is growing quickly, and its creative identity is growing with it. The artists are already here. This month offers all of us a chance to notice them, support them and give their work room to be seen and heard.
