Contemporary Calgary Unveils LOOK2026 Art Auction with Historic Group of Seven Piece
Contemporary Calgary has announced the details of its LOOK2026 art auction fundraiser, featuring a remarkable collection of 88 works by leading Canadian and international artists. The centerpiece of the event is an early painting by L.L. (Lionel Lemoine) FitzGerald, the only member of the iconic Group of Seven to be based in Western Canada.
Philanthropist's Generous Donation Sets Stage
The auction's origins trace back to a generous act by Calgary-based engineer, entrepreneur, and arts philanthropist John Lacey. In 2023, Lacey donated Jean Paul Riopelle's Vesperales, valued at $250,000, to the LOOK2023 auction. This year, he has contributed FitzGerald's Birch Woods, an oil-on-board painting created between 1912 and 1915, valued at $12,000.
"He called me and said, 'David, what's happening with the auction this year? I'm fresh out of Riopelles,'" recalls Contemporary Calgary CEO David Leinster. "He said, 'But I do have a Group of Seven...'" Leinster describes the FitzGerald piece as "a real coup" for the gallery, noting its significance in putting Canadian art on the map historically.
Diverse Collection of Contemporary and Historical Works
The LOOK2026 auction features an impressive array of artists across multiple mediums and styles:
- L.L. FitzGerald's Birch Woods: An early work painted before he joined the Group of Seven in 1932, showcasing his attempts to apply impressionist concepts to Prairie landscapes.
- Maxwell Bates' Party with Masks: A 1978 oil on canvas valued at $45,000, courtesy of Morris and Ann Dancyger.
- Chris Cran: Works by the celebrated Canadian painter known for his photorealistic and conceptual approaches.
- Paola Pivi's Free Humans: A new silk work by the Italian multimedia artist valued at $24,000, following her first Canadian solo exhibit at Contemporary Calgary in 2024.
- Faye HeavyShield's Pierce: A 2026 acrylic and porcupine-quill piece by the Kainai (Blood) Nation artist valued at $14,000.
- Caroline Monnet's Ikwewak (Women), Alanis: A photograph by the Anishinaabe/French multidisciplinary artist valued at $25,000.
- DaveandJenn's Did I Find The Fountain or Did The Fountain Find Me: A 2024 multilayered sculpture by the local artist duo Jennifer Saleik and David Foy, who are also curating the gala with the theme "Off the Path."
Fundraising Goals and Event Details
Organizers hope to raise more than $1.2 million through the auction, which serves as Contemporary Calgary's main fundraiser. The funds support the gallery's exhibitions, educational programs, and operational needs. All 88 works are currently on public display at Contemporary Calgary, with silent auction bidding having opened on April 2.
The live auction will take place on May 2 during the LOOK2026 gala, a lavish affair held in the Dome theatre at Contemporary Calgary. The event will feature works by additional artists who have recently exhibited at the gallery, including Calgary painter Erik Olson, Toronto's Winnie Truong, Calgary's Alana Bartol, and Winnipeg artist Marcel Dzama.
Leinster emphasizes the importance of such events for cultural institutions: "Of course, many people have heard of the Group of Seven. I've long been a fan of the Group of Seven's work and what it has done to put Canadian art on the map, historically." The inclusion of FitzGerald's early painting provides a unique opportunity for collectors and art enthusiasts to acquire a piece of Canadian art history while supporting contemporary artistic practice.
