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Upcoming Exhibition 

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Painting of a prairie landscape in broad, highly textured brush strokes; various shades of vibrant blue sky over prairie fields in greens and golds, with the ground and sky meeting at a distant horizon.

Sky, Stone, and Prairie: Plein Air Perspectives of Alberta

Samantha Williams-Chapelsky

September 2-27, 2025
Reception: Thursday September 25, 7-9 p.m. | View the PDF e-vite
About the show:

This vibrant collection of 100 individual plein air paintings captures the raw and breathtaking beauty of Alberta’s natural landscapes, rendered through the dynamic brushwork and intuitive vision of Samantha Williams-Chapelsky. Known for her expressive technique and emotional expressionism of the environment, Williams-Chapelsky brings to life the diverse geography of the province—from expansive prairie skies and shimmering lakes to rugged mountain ranges and boreal forests.

Created entirely on location, each painting reflects a moment in time, shaped by shifting weather, changing light, and the artist’s personal response to her surroundings. With every canvas, Williams-Chapelsky invites viewers to slow down and witness the subtle transitions of season and atmosphere that define Alberta’s unique ecology.

This exhibition marks a homecoming for the artist, as it is held at her alma mater, the University of Alberta. It offers not only a visual chronicle of place but also a heartfelt reconnection to where her artistic journey began. Through this body of work, Williams-Chapelsky honors the land that has inspired her for decades and reaffirms her lifelong commitment to painting directly from life.

Together, these 100 plein air pieces form a meditative and immersive tribute to Alberta’s natural world—both vast and intimate, fleeting and eternal.

About the artist:

Samantha Williams-Chapelsky is an accomplished visual artist who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Alberta in 2009, graduating with distinction. Specializing in painting and art history, she is widely recognized for her abstracted landscape paintings that explore the interplay of textured acrylics and oils. Samantha’s work is exhibited in both public and commercial galleries throughout Canada and the United States, earning acclaim for her unique artistic approach.

In addition to her studio practice, Samantha is a dedicated educator and mentor. She leads workshops in plein air painting, studio techniques, and business practices for artists, helping students hone their creative and professional skills. Samantha also hosts an annual European retreat focused on acrylic techniques and plein air painting, offering artists an immersive experience in the scenic outdoors. Through various studio workshops across Canada, she fosters a tactile, expressionistic approach to painting, while also providing valuable guidance on social media, crafting artist statements, and navigating the modern art world for emerging and contemporary artists.


This show is sponsored in part by: 

Government of Alberta logo


FALL 2025 Exhibitions Listings

September 2-27, 2025
  • Main Floor: Sky, Stone, and Prairie: Plein Air Perspectives of Alberta | Samantha Williams-Chapelsky
More info coming soon

Visiting FAB Gallery

FAB Gallery is now closed for the summer | reopening September 2, 2025:

Tuesday-Friday | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday | 12-3 p.m.
Closed on Sundays & Mondays

FAB Gallery Location:

1-1 Fine Arts Building
University of Alberta
112 Street and 89 Avenue 

Second floor gallery can only be accessed by stairs at this time. We apologize for this significant barrier to access.