2026 Artist in Residence: Exploring Knowledge
Aysha McConkey is the City of Abbotsford’s 2026 Artist in Residence. The 2026 program features a partnership with Abbotsford Libraries and the theme “Exploring Knowledge.”
From May to October, Aysha will deliver community engaged art activities at City and partner venues with a focus on environment, biology, and ecology. As a trained biologist specializing in animals, insects, and plants, she uses interactive art workshops and participatory presentations to share scientific knowledge with the community.
Artist In Residence
Date & Time Location Event June 10
6:30 pm-7:30 pmAbbotsford Community Library Everything Bats Presentation
Join Artist in Residence Aysha McConkey, a bat ambassador for the Fraser Valley region, and learn about our native bat species and conservation in the community. No registration required.June 11
8:30 pm-9:30 pmMill Lake Park
*Emerson Water park Picnic Shelter
Artist-led Bat Walk
Participate in an artist-led walk around Mill Lake where you will observe and listen to the local bat population as they emerge from their roosts. Includes the use of "bat detectors" and speakers that highlight their echolocation calls. In partnership with BCBATS.July 16
2pm -3pmAbbotsford Community Library Paw Print ID
Animals have left their paw prints all over the library and it's your job to ID them! Use a Footprint ID guide to identify what animals came through the library. For junior adventurers who want to learn more, a measurement exercise will provide insight into how fast the animals are in the wild. Drop-in, no registration required.July 22,
3:30pm- 5pmClearbrook Library Print With Leaves
Explore the diversity and beauty of plants in our community. Learn how to ID leaves of all shapes and sizes, and participate in a leaf stamping activity to create your own prints. Drop-in, no registration required.
Previous Artist in Residence Programs
Vanessa Serroul is an artist from the Xwísten (Bridge River) community, which is a part of the St'át'imc Nation located along the Fraser River near Lillooet, BC. She has lived in Abbotsford since 1999 and resides in the Máthxwi community.
Between April and September, she partnered with Heritage Abbotsford Society to strengthen community appreciation of local heritage with a focus on the Halq'eméylem language, environmental stewardship, and stories from the Máthxwi and Semá:th people, who have lived in this area since time immemorial. Community engagements included interactive art workshops, walking tours, storytelling, and presentations that incorporated the teachings of both Indigenous knowledge keepers, and local heritage experts.
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2024 Artist in Residence, Molly Gray
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October marked the conclusion of the overwhelmingly successful 2024 Artist in Residence program with local artist, Molly Gray. Molly’s residency was produced in partnership with City of Abbotsford Community Services and successfully achieved the outcome of providing opportunities for community connection between older adults, youth, and families. The artist’s innovative use of public space and incorporation of community partnerships was essential in delivering these experiences. Program partners included Healthy Aging Abbotsford, Abbotsford Youth Commission, Replay Boardshop, and Clearbrook Library.
Between May and October of 2024, Molly facilitated sixteen community art making making sessions at locations around the City, and participated in City programs and events including Go Play Outside, Canada Day, and 55+ Learning Plus. Over 1,500 participants attended these sessions, which provided a diverse range of interactive activities including:
- Collaborative painting projects
- Personal storytelling and journaling
- Art and movement demonstrations
- Custom greeting card creation
- Watercolour painting
- Custom sticker making
- Button making
- Printmaking demonstrations
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2023 Artist in Residence, Lexi Richards
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Local artist Lexi Richards was the City of Abbotsford’s 2023 Artist in Residence. Lexi’s central project “The Garden Studio at Mill Lake,” was produced in partnership with the City of Abbotsford’s Landscape and Horticulture section, and the Abbotsford Arts Council as a way to promote awareness and appreciation of horticulture in the community. The garden studio was installed at the Kariton Art Gallery, serving as the primary venue for delivering exciting, accessible, and participatory community art activities based around flowers, planting, gardening, and harvest. The garden became a gathering place for community and was essential in the delivery of public arts and culture programing.
Between May and October of 2023, Lexi facilitated twelve community art making sessions in the garden and adjoining Kariton Art Gallery. Over 1,000 participants attended the sessions, which provided a diverse range of inspiring activities including:
- Seed and annual planting
- Bouquet and posy arrangement
- Cyanotype photography
- Flower crowns
- Dried flower greeting cards
- Temporary floral art installations
- Floral poetry workshops
- Flower harvesting
- Reconciliation wall (for the National Day for truth and Reconciliation)
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