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October 15, 2025
News
TIES (The Immigrant Education Society) is wrapping up its successful and unique Voices in the Art (VIA) project after almost three years.
The project celebrated its Voices in the Arts’ final two cohorts on Sept. 25th, hosting its last exhibition at the University of Calgary.
“I cannot believe that we have all of this impressive, amazing artwork,” Kreisha Hilario, Manager, TIES Centre for Immigrant Research (TCIR) told the large crowd that turned out.
“It just gives me chills.”
VIA was launched by the TIES Centre For for Immigrant Research (TCIR) as a way to showcase the powerful stories of newcomer 2SLGBTQIA youth through artwork.
In total, 45 budding artists participants making up four cohorts have taken part in the project, which has included two exhibitions at the University of Calgary and one at Calgary City Hall.
Gurleen Matharu, Project Associate, TCIR, has been by their side throughout the project.
“Our participants are not only newcomers, but they also belong to the queer community, and they’re also young,” she says.
“I think it's very, very important to give them a platform and a safe space to share experiences and to connect with one another — an opportunity to build community.”
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23-year-old Ximena, known by her artist name Mango Fire, is one of the participants in the final exhibition.
Originally from Mexico City, she came to Canada alone as an exchange student, at the age of 15.
“It’s been an adventure. Sometimes, a little bit hard,” she says.
She says the journey has allowed her to “discover herself” something she wasn’t always able to do back home as part of a conservative family.
“I’m still struggling with the family things,” she says. “I cannot be open myself. I need to follow certain things. But here I have that freedom.”
“It’s been a lot of memories. Connections. Emotions.”
It’s those memories that inspire her art.
“I really like to do storytelling. So, most of the pieces I do, I based on personal stuff. I feel really safe to share my stories without worrying about people judging.”
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The final VIA exhibition will end on Oct. 2, 2025 but Kreisha Hilario and Gurleen Matharu promised participants their art will live on.
“Thank you so much for sharing your souls. For being brave and expressing what is inside of you,” Hilario says.
“Whatever you shared with us, whatever we learned from you — this will not end up just in a paper somewhere.”
“Your art, your stories and your voices will extend far beyond these gallery walls,” Matharu echoes.
“Your voices and your experiences are important. They’re significant and they deserve to be heard. There is a space for them.”
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Funding for the project was made possible by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE).
VIA is a partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Calgary, and the University of Michigan.
Media RSVP, Interviews & Inquiries:
Tomasia DaSilva
Media and Relationship Strategist
Email: tomasiadasilva@immigrant-education.ca
Phone: 403-291-0002
Get involved with TIES on our social media platforms.
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