Spaces to experiment in!

Are you an artist or creative maker looking for short or long term studio rental options? Listen Studios offers a sanctuary to rekindle relationships with nature, and your artistic practice. Listen Studios offers Individual / Group Workshops in Canmore and Retreats in the Prairies and Rocky Mountains for those who want to learn, experiment and connect with others in the arts. Click WORKSHOPS and RETREATS for more information!

STUDIOS are available for those who wish to experiment on their own. All rates include use of folding tables, chairs, lights and access to basic tools, communal kitchen, washroom and sinks. Rental rates include heat, water, wifi, and storage costs for artworks to dry. Affordable storage costs for artwork and supplies are available based on the number of bookings made in a year, as well as for multiple workshop bookings within that year.

Are you looking for funding? Contact me if you would like a reference letter to apply for grant funding! Please provide 2 weeks’ notice for support letter requests.

Check the calendar to see if your desired date is available or email me with the following information:

  • a studio space for self-directed or group work, be sure to include preferred date(s).

  • a workshop space for educators to teach adults or youth.

  • an event space to gather for public presentations (ie: music, reading or dramatic performance, paint nights)

  • an event space to gather for private events (ie: show friends and family photos of a recent trip or if you would like to experiment with a new art making technique with friends and family)

Please include:

  1. short-or long-term rental for rentals or residency/retreats that will take place for more than 24 hours. Be sure to ask me about a discount for multiple bookings!

  2. preferred dates and times

    For Educators: please include time for prep and clean up, up to 500 word description about what you would like to teach. adult or youth (include age range), up to 5 images of your artwork and/or student artwork that you have taught. Please be sure to indicate if you :

    • prefer to be self sufficient and host your workshop on a separate platform and only pay the rental fee.

    OR

    • would like Listen Studios, Retreats and Workshops to create, promote and provide all administration regarding the booking for an additional fee.

Retreats / Residencies - COMING SOON!

Self-directed or thematic retreats and residencies  for Professional Artists and makers to create! This can be artwork for an exhibition, or a project you have been dreaming of or simply to enjoy nature and have fun creating! Retreats are located in Canmore as well as in pop up venues across Western Canada - Details will be available in the New Year!

Do you have an idea? Do you need a space to work with friends or collaborate with artists in Canmore or in the Rocky Mountains? For an additional charge, connect with me and I will coordinate the booking of the workshop space, accommodations and more to make your retreat a fun, memorable experience in Canmore, Banff, or anywhere in the Rocky Mountains or Prairies! Email me with your details for a quote.

Workshops coordinated by Listen Studios

Are you looking to learn a new skill? Workshops can be geared for adults and youth of all experiences. Workshops will be offered by local, provincial and nationally respected art professionals. Upcoming workshops include:

  • Drum Making and TIPI Dream catchers

  • Clay Stamp making, Clay and Glaze Making Technologies

  • Indigenous Beading, Tufting, Baskets and Natural Paint Pigment making

  • Stained Glass and Wood Working

  • Printmaking, Cyanotypes, Eco dying

  • Sewing, Quilting, Cross stitching, Embroidery

..and MORE!

Dawn Saunders Dahl will offer:

  • Professional Development with Guest Speakers

  • Art Networking Events

  • Nature Journaling and Plein Air

  • Expressive Landscape, Still Lifes, Portrait Painting and Mixed Media Collages

  • Clay Drawing Landscapes and Portraits

  • Seasonal Workshops: Card Making, Wreath, Soil and Flower Arranging

Do you have an idea for a workshop or event? Do you need a space to work with friends or collaborate with artists? Send me a message with your preferred dates, description of the workshop and images!

Support Barrier Free Access to Listen Studios, Workshops and Retreats

Please consider donating to help keep Listen Studios affordable. Your support allows first-time and under served artists to use the space for free or at reduced rates. Donations help cover fees for low-income and marginalized artists to attend workshops as well as assist those launching their first opportunities to teach. They also cover costs that enable us to offer no rental fees for beginner entrepreneurs. For those that donate over $2500 a year, we will show our thanks by giving you an original artwork, along with the joy of supporting the artist community.

Thank you

Indigenous Peoples presence in the Americas reaches back to time immemorial. I recognize that Indigenous Peoples are the keepers and defenders of the land, animals and water. I acknowledge the historical oppression of lands, cultures and the original Peoples in what we now know as Canada.  I believe that the Arts contribute to the healing and decolonizing journey we all share.

In the spirit of reconciliation, I gratefully acknowledge that I live, work and play on the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples. This includes the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations (Bearspaw, Goodstoney, Chiniki), the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika,Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina in Treaty 7 region, also traditionally, spirituality and culturally shared with Ktunaxa, Secwépemc, Mountain Cree and with the Rockyview Métis District #4 - Battle River Territory of Southern Alberta.