Art Room on 2nd in Medicine Hat, Alberta, is presenting "Remembrance," a solo exhibition featuring the acrylic works of Jackie DeBlasio, who is also a co-owner of the gallery. The show, opening May 8, 2026, presents large-scale figurative paintings on rolled canvas with sewn edges, hung from dowels to emphasize physicality and the process of becoming. DeBlasio describes the works as exploring identity, fluidity, and the tension between structure and surrender.
The exhibition matters because it highlights a local artist-owner's deeply personal exploration of selfhood, presented in an unconventional format that challenges traditional display methods. It reflects how small, community-focused galleries like Art Room on 2nd foster intimate, experiential art encounters, offering a counterpoint to larger commercial art world trends.