Back Door Art Gallery

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Studio Q, the Mann Art Gallery, and the Prince Albert Downtown Business Improvement District are partnering to introduce the Back Door Art Gallery in spring 2026!
This new initiative responds to requests for increased public art in the downtown core. Thanks to support from the City of Prince Albert's Public Art Stimulus Program and the P.A. Downtown Business Improvement District, images of artworks will be installed on the back doors of 10 businesses between River St. East and 10th St. East.
Artists of all skill levels, backgrounds, and who work in any visual media are invited to submit images of their artworks to be photographed and installed on the back doors. 10 artworks will be selected. Each selected artist/artwork will receive a $600 honorarium.
This project aims to support artists, increase accessibility to art, and add visual interest to downtown Prince Albert. We seek to share a variety of local artistic viewpoints, styles, and expressions to demonstrate the rich make-up of our broad community.
The Back Door Art Gallery expands ideas of where art is displayed and who can access it. We are excited to enliven urban spaces in areas that may otherwise be forgotten, and to share the unique artistic perspectives of our community.
Prince Albert Historical Museum
10 River Street
Laird Goulet
Rhythm & Pulse
Artwork Description:
Three powwow dancers compete while geese fly overhead, with the sun.
About the Artist:
Laird Goulet is a contemporary visual artist whose work explores emotion,
memory, and transformation through abstract and modern forms. Drawing
from personal experience and intuitive process, Goulet creates layered
compositions that balance raw expression with refined structure. His practice
spans painting, mixed media, and wearable art, reflecting a belief that art
should be lived with—not simply observed.
Goulet’s work often investigates themes of resilience, loss, and identity, using
bold color relationships, gestural movement, and texture to evoke an
emotional response rather than a fixed narrative. Each piece invites the viewer
into a space of reflection, allowing meaning to emerge organically through
personal interpretation.
With a growing international audience, Goulet’s art is collected by those
seeking work that feels both deeply human and visually striking. His ongoing
practice continues to evolve, bridging fine art, design, and contemporary
culture while remaining rooted in authenticity and emotional truth.

Funky Fresh Cafe & Bistro
819 Central Avenue
Soléne Callioux
The Heart of our Relations
Artwork Description:
The Heart of Our Relations represents Métis resiliency through the passing of
land-based knowledge across generations. The mother and children within
the heart-shaped tree reflect kinship, protection, and the role of family in
carrying traditional teachings forward. Surrounded by native animals and their
young, the tree symbolizes Mother Earth’s connection to all living beings and
reminds us that caring for the land helps sustain future generations.
About the Artist:
My name is Soléne Callioux and I am a Métis artist who dedicates my art to
capturing the essence of nature through a diverse range of mixed media
techniques. My portfolio features everything from serene landscapes to
intricate wildlife studies, utilizing mediums like acrylics, watercolors, and
carvings to create depth and texture in my art.

Rock Trout Events
903 Central Avenue
Ace Denzel
West 55
Artwork Description:
This artwork blends urban style with the landscapes of Western Canada,
featuring prairies brought to life through bold colors and expressive textures.
Eagles, farmers, and cowboys symbolize freedom, resilience, and a deep
connection to the land, while vibrant elements add a modern, energetic twist
to the rural scene.
About the Artist:
Ace Denzel is a visual artist with a passion for graffiti and pop art. Ace embarked on his artistic journey in 2017, initially delving into the world of graffiti writing alongside a dedicated crew. In 2020, he expanded his creative horizons by venturing
into sketching and painting, a turning point that marked the evolution of his artistic expression.
Ace has built strong connections in Prince Albert through his involvement in
mural projects and street art across the community. By collaborating with
other local artists, he has been able to take part in a variety of recent projects,
especially with local businesses. These experiences have helped him grow his network, contribute to the local art scene, and create meaningful, community-
based work throughout the city.

The Foil Room
907 Central Avenue
Lex Chicoine
Universal Unity
Artwork Description:
In Universal Unity, the interlocking infinity symbols can be read as the mind and body caught in stillness, looping through time without movement. When you’re bedridden, days blur into nights, and nights into days—just like those intertwined forms. The sun and moon become markers of time that you witness, but in which you don’t fully participate. They pass, faithfully, even when you cannot. And yet, the way they interlock perfectly without strain shows the serenity of the void. Dancing soundlessly in the middle ground of this piece is a ribbon of light called the aurora borealis. This represents my inner light that cannot be snuffed by the void. Colours also play an important part of this piece. The surrounding pinks, purples, and blues soften what could otherwise feel empty or isolating. Instead of a harsh emptiness, these colors are intended to bring a sense of familiar chaos; similar to the feeling of a busy emergency room. Pink brings gentle warmth, like a memory of care. Purple opens a door to introspection, where thought deepens and expands. Blue settles everything into calm, like a long exhale you didn’t know you were
holding. Finally, the black resides in colorful chaos to show that even surrounded by serenity and color, darkness tends to find a way to seep into our light. Even when you’re confined—physically or mentally—you’re still part of something continuous. Time still holds you. The universe doesn’t exclude you. And within that void, if you sit with it long enough, there is a strange, almost Universal Unity.
About the Artist:
My name is Lex Chicoine. I am a 22-year-old bisexual, genderqueer individual
born and raised in Prince Albert. Born two and a half months premature, I have faced ongoing health challenges throughout my life. I now live my life mostly bedridden, but despite this, I dedicate my energy to creating art. I am a skilled painter in both small and large formats. Universal Unity is an artwork I created as a reminder to myself and others that if the sun and moon can find
harmony in the void of space, then so can we.

Riverside Pawn
49 River Street West
Thuan Vuong
Prince Albert Spirit - Soul of the North
Artwork Description:
Prince Albert Spirit is a visual symphony celebrating the natural beauty and rich
heritage of the "Gateway to the North." The artwork connects the city’s pulse with the wilderness through the majestic presence of the wolf and the ethereal dance of the Aurora Borealis. The golden canola fields and vibrant poppies symbolize the abundance of the land and a deep sense of gratitude. At its heart, the piece honors Indigenous culture—the enduring soul of this region. Together, these elements weave a story of resilience, unity, and the vibrant local identity that defines the spirit of Prince Albert.
About the Artist:
Thuan is a freelance muralist and digital artist with a passion for bringing walls to life. His work is a tribute to the beauty of the outdoors and the deep roots of local culture, whether it’s a towering landscape or a piece inspired by community traditions.
Prince Albert is where Thuan’s art finds its purpose. To him, this city is the perfect bridge between the energy of urban life and the raw beauty of the northern wilderness. Thuan is inspired by how the landscape changes—from the endless golden canola fields in the summer to the dancing auroras that light up our winter nights.
As a muralist, Thuan’s connection to Prince Albert is built on the walls and spaces that tell local stories. He is deeply moved by the natural symbols of this region—the resilience of the wolf and the simple beauty of the wildflowers that grow along our trails. For Thuan, living and working here is about capturing that 'Prince Albert Spirit' and turning it into something visual with which everyone in the community can connect.

North Star Sign
915 Central Avenue
JingLu Zhao
The View
Artwork Description:
The View was created in the aftermath of Covid, a time of reflection and
redefinition of home. This painting brings together figuration and imagined
cityscape, blending memory and present reality. At its center is a city in Japan—an echo of a place where JingLu once lived—layered with architectural fragments and atmospheric space. Above, the sky transforms into the garden from her current home in Canada, where organic forms and drifting clouds suggest growth, change, and continuity. In the foreground, a young girl—modeled after JingLu’s youngest daughter sits quietly on a chair, facing outward. Her posture captures a moment of stillness and contemplation, as if observing not just the outside world, but the merging of two homes, two identities, and two timelines. The painting becomes a bridge between past and present, East and West, memory and lived experience—seen through the quiet gaze of a child.
About the Artist:
JingLu has been painting and drawing for over 25 years. After receiving her MFA degrees from China and Japan, she taught Visual Art in China until she moved to Canada in 2013. JingLu’s art explores her identity as she experiences the world, combining figuration and landscapes reflecting her family's Chinese and First Nations heritage.

North Star Signs
915 Central Avenue
Quinn Smith-Windsor
Carrier of Hope
Artwork Description:
Carrier of Hope is about wisdom, connection, and hope.
The red background sets the tone for this piece as a reminder that all women carry power. The beautiful bear is wise, knowing when to rest and when to wake. She reminds us to adapt, and to stay connected to the land, our ancestors, ourselves, and each other. The bear carries hope within her and invites us to do the same.
About the Artist:
Hi, I’m Quinn Smith-Windsor! I’m a disabled artist, entrepreneur, and
advocate. My intersecting identities shape everything I create and advocate
for. I am Cree with mixed ancestry currently living in Treaty 6 territory, just
North of Prince Albert. I pull fluid acrylic paint across canvas (usually) with a fondue fork and specialize in animal portraiture. An important part of my process is letting the paint go where it wants to and using a blowtorch to create cells of colour. I’m best known for painting dogs and bears, and my work is all about sharing joy, hope, and inclusion. As co-founder of The PossAbility Shop, I believe art can bring people together and help build more inclusive communities. I am an active member of the Prince Albert arts community. I was part of the Carlton Connections art group at Carlton Comprehensive Public High School, where I was mentored by Melanie Merasty before I graduated. In 2023, my first solo exhibition, Journey, was held at the the Grace Campbell Gallery at the Prince Albert Public Library. I also regularly participate in the Mann Art Gallery’s Annual Art Show and Sale. My work is deeply connected to the community. I paint portraits of dogs from the Prince Albert SPCA and sell both the originals and art cards to help sponsor their adoptions. So far, I have supported the adoptions of several dogs. I enjoy visiting the dogs, reading to them, and painting their portraits. I have also created a collection of paintings titled Apples for Victor and Feathers, which helped raise funds for the Victor Thunderchild Legacy Scholarship, supporting local Indigenous students pursuing post-secondary education. I was honoured to receive a Changemaker Award for my community contributions in the City of Prince Albert. I am proudly represented by The Black Spruce Gallery in Waskesiu. I am also known as a kind-hearted disability advocate. I make sure local disability issues are heard and that local people with disabilities are heard.

Former CKBI Office
22 10th Street West
Sarah Paiement
True Vision
Artwork Description:
The intent of True Vision is to capture an embodiment of the spirit of Truth.
Truth looks straight into us, reveals pathways that can lead to healing.
About the Artist:
Ms. Paiement ('Celia') is a local artist with a passion for colour and life. Born with several visual complications, she underwent 3 major eye surgeries as a child. Her parents were told she would be blind by the age of 20. Though her visual sensitivities have been life-impacting, she has not only surpassed her 20s, but she has also found a way to create beauty for others amidst her visual limitations. Expressing herself through acrylic & oil paintings, she seeks to bring artwork that can speak in its own
unique way to the one beholding it.

Sweet Stells Cakes & More
922 Central Avenue
Kaley Svendsen
The Night Held Her & the Day Healed Her
Artwork Description:
This beaded artwork explores my journey from child to woman, where both
sides are complete opposites, but entirely connected to each other. Symbolism within the artwork relates to Mother Earth, a childhood shaped by fear, and the healing of an Indigenous woman. There is a deliberate separation between the females within the artwork, which show a vine, leaves, flowers, and berries growing upward. This serves as the symbol of my healing journey, which the flowers start white and pure, and slowly change into pink, which I depict as a color of healing in my life. Within the ascending healing, the flowers and berries gain size and strength, as I have also aged and gained strength. Woman and berries alike are seed carriers, allowing for fruitful reproduction.
The females are both nude and facing away from another, as this depicts
vulnerability and experiences of abandonment in both life cycles. We may feel
alone often in life, but connecting to ourselves is an eternal connection that
will never disintegrate, which eventually alleviates the wound of abandonment.
Although the artwork is a replica of my own side profile, the female child and
adult remain faceless, as Indigenous women across the globe hold similar
stories to mine. We as Indigenous peoples are born into generations of
trauma, which at times are controlling and can be frightening. Through healing the inner child and reconnecting to the Indigenous spirit, there is an array of light shining on new beginnings, growth, and identity. Both sides feel like an eternity away from another, but are significant to one another, as our pain and lineage makes us who we are.
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About the Artist:
Kaley Svendsen is an Indigenous beadwork artist based in Prince Albert,
Saskatchewan. Her work explores identity, matriarchy, and Indigenous ways of
knowing, reflecting experiences of trauma, healing, and storytelling.
Rooted in personal experience, her practice uses beadwork and symbolism to
express connection, resilience, and transformation. Elements such as berries,
flowers, and natural forms speak to life cycles, womanhood, and Indigenous
culture. Through her work, Kaley invites viewers to reflect on their connection to self, shared experiences, and the process of transforming pain into purpose.

Plaza 88 (North door)
888 Central Avenue
Jennifer Brown
Walk Through the Flowers
Artwork Description:
This digital artwork draws inspiration from traditional beadwork, translating its
precision and rhythm into a contemporary floral composition. Flowers rise in a
vertical flow, carefully balanced as they climb, suggesting growth, continuity,
and quiet strength. Walk Through the Flowers reflects the patience and intention found in beadwork, where each element contributes to a larger harmony. Through layered forms and vibrant detail, the creeping florals evoke a sense of movement while remaining grounded in symmetry, honoring both tradition and modern expression.
About the Artist:
Jennifer Brown is a visual artist based in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Her
work is inspired by the landscapes of northern Canada. In acrylic and
mixed media, she blends realism with abstraction to explore themes of place,
identity, and memory. Her art features earthy tones and layered textures, reflecting the natural beauty and emotional depth of the region. An active member of the local arts community, Jennifer participates in exhibitions and community projects, using her work to connect personal stories with a broader sense of belonging. As a Métis artist, teacher, and award recipient, Jennifer’s connection to Prince Albert is rooted in community, culture, and responsibility. The city is both her home and her inspiration—shaping her work through its people, land, and stories. Through her art and teaching, she gives back to the place that continues to support her growth, honoring her heritage while helping others find their own creative voice.

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