Royal Alberta Museum reopens with 2 new exhibits showcasing Canadian heritage
The Royal Alberta Museum opened its doors to the public on Wednesday with two new exhibits: Quilt of Belonging and Abandoned Alberta.
After closing in December due to COVID-19 restrictions, RAM employees said the museum has come back to life again after undergoing a “rollercoaster” of changes.
“We’re very excited. We’re delighted to welcome visitors back to the Royal Alberta Museum -- it’s wonderful. The museum really feels like its come alive again after being closed,” said Executive Director Alwynne Beaudoin. “We’ve all had to adapt on the fly and adapt very quickly to changing circumstances.”
The museum adapted to the temporary closure by bringing exhibits online for Canadians to experience. “RAM from home” was created to ensure Alberta’s remarkable displays could be enjoyed safely from home. The virtual experience allowed people to stay engaged from home with various programs, talks and virtual displays.
“It gave us an opportunity to connect with many visitors from Alberta. We were able to connect with remote areas,” said Beaudoin.
The museum, which requires visitors to follow social distancing guidelines, wear masks and pre-book a time slot, showcases a display of photos from Edmonton-based photographer Joe Chowaniec. His exhibit, “Abandoned Alberta,” offers a wide range of photographs from “forgotten locations."
“I don’t know what it was but it was something one day where I decided to take my camera with me on a road-trip and I started snapping photos and what I saw in the camera lens just drew me in more,” said Chowaniec.
Capturing approximately three to five thousand photos, the photographer was drawn to the history of Canada.
“I found myself asking more questions and wanting to know more. Why is that church abandoned? Why is that school abandoned?” he said.
Chowaniec has eagerly awaited the opening of the museum to share his photographs with visitors, after travelling a total of 10,000 kilometers to gather Alberta’s unique properties.
RAM also features a collaborative textile known as the Quilt of Belonging. Celebrating the diversity of Canada, the quilt features 263 blocks representing the Indigenous people in Canada and every nation.
The quilt is designed so each visitor can experience a sense of community.
“This piece really represents who we are as a nation. What Canada represents is all these various nations including our Indigenous communities,” said assistant curator for Daily Life and Leisure, Lucie Heins.
The bottom row is referred to as the “foundation” – representing all First Nations, Inuit, and Metis.
“I think what the quilt of belonging does during this time of social distancing and isolation, it reminds us that we are connected. We are united even though we are existing in this new normal of how we interact with each other.”
With files from Touria Izri
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.