Work by School of Art alum Deinma Iyagba (BFA Hon. ’24) on view at Art Mûr, 2024. Image courtesy of the Gallery.
New Voices, Bold Visions: Five School of Art Grads Head to Montreal for National Showcase
Fresh Paint / New Construction returns to Art Mûr with powerful new work from across Canada
This summer, five recent graduates from the University of Manitoba’s School of Art are heading to Montreal, where they will take part in one of the country’s most anticipated exhibitions for emerging artists.
Fresh Paint / New Construction returns for its 21st edition at Art Mûr, a gallery known for supporting contemporary practices and introducing the public to the next generation of Canadian artists. Opening July 19, the exhibition features artists from twelve universities across the country. Among them are five 2025 BFA Honours graduates from the School of Art:
- Daniel Allen
- Jessica Beaugrand
- Sydney Caldwell
- Abtahi Hassan
- Margot Morrish
Each of these artists brings a unique and deeply personal approach to questions of identity, memory, material, and place.
Daniel Allen creates abstract compositions using a mix of acrylic paint, found plastics, and traditional Indigenous materials such as sage, sweetgrass, and cedar. His work is grounded in his Métis heritage and explores themes related to land, history, and reclamation. Recent works use natural bundles as paintbrushes to depict stylized Indigenous plant forms, resulting in pieces that feel both intuitive and ceremonial.
Jessica Beaugrand’s paintings focus on small, often overlooked moments from daily life. Through realistic rendering and subtle shifts in light and texture, her work evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia and emotional connection. Whether referencing the sound of a squirrel or the warmth of a campfire, her paintings invite viewers to reflect on the beauty of the ordinary and the shared nature of memory.
Sydney Caldwell merges painting with textile techniques to create emotionally resonant, materially rich pieces. Drawing inspiration from traditional craft and queer identity, their work challenges distinctions between fine art and craft, blending colour, texture, and form to express complex internal experiences. Sydney’s process honours the makers who came before and questions how value is assigned in the gallery space.
Abtahi Hassan works across media including ceramics, sound, digital projection, and sculpture. Influenced by his Bangladeshi roots, he creates immersive installations that explore cultural memory and technological translation. In recent projects, he has invited viewers to co-create audiovisual experiences, turning the gallery into a space of collaboration and discovery.
Margot Morrish’s practice is grounded in the land, in process, and in deep curiosity. Working with natural and salvaged materials such as acorns, black carrots, found metals, and dyed fabrics, she explores ideas of grief, migration, and personal transformation. Her work embraces imperfection and questions how we relate to uncertainty and change, both individually and collectively.
Exhibition Details
Art Mûr, 5826 Rue St-Hubert, Montreal
July 19 to August 30, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 19, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Visit artmur.com for more information
Fresh Paint / New Construction is a national platform for early-career artists, offering a meaningful opportunity to connect with curators, collectors, and new audiences. The exhibition is curated by Art Mûr from faculty-nominated students across Canada and has launched many artists into long-term professional practices.
Congratulations to Daniel, Jessica, Sydney, Abtahi, and Margot. Your work is compelling, thoughtful, and timely. We are proud to see you representing the School of Art on this national stage.
To those in Montreal and nearby—this is your chance to experience the future of Canadian art firsthand.