The Art and the Beats Artists, performers open their doors, and their souls, for Culture Days Take 5: Culture Days
By: The Arts & Life team Posted: 2:00 AM CDT Friday, Sep. 19, 2025

Culture Days, a national celebration of local arts and culture, kicks off today and runs through Oct. 12.

There are hundreds of free public events taking place across Manitoba over the next three weeks, including in Winnipeg, Morden, Gimli, Flin Flon and beyond. Nuit Blanche Winnipeg, the city’s annual late-night art party, also falls under the Culture Days umbrella and takes place Sept. 27.

Find a sample of the fun below and visit culturedays.ca for more information.

Central Park Moves: Weekend Beats

Central Park, 367 Ellice Ave.

Saturday, 7 p.m.

It’s a little-known fact that a b-boy legend calls Winnipeg home.

Before Gordy Lopez — better known as Flexum — became Graffiti Art Programming’s breakdancing instructor, he was a member of the California-based Jabbawockeez crew, the closest thing hip-hop dancing has to a household name.

Lopez tends to speak modestly about his career; at GAP, it’s all about the kids.

GAP oversees one of Winnipeg’s most effective youth outreach programs, such as Studio 393, mostly serving inner-city neighbourhoods through after-school cultural programming.

It also boasts some of Winnipeg’s most impressive youth dancers, some of whom perform three 7 p.m. shows over the next three Saturdays in Central Park.

As the event description reads: “This fall, Studio 393 will bring the neighbourhood together with the most powerful connector of all: music. Come vibe with us, celebrate culture, and make memories under the open sky.”

— Conrad Sweatman

Chroma: A MAWA Members’ Show + Sale

MAWA, 329 Cumberland Ave.

Starts today, on view throughout Culture Days

We’re red with rage and green with envy. We warn of red flags and cheer on green lights. Primary colours, team colours, candy in the jar, crayons in the box — colour fills in every aspect of our lives.

Chroma features the work of 108 Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art members on the theme of colour. From moody blues to a riot of neons, practically every hue is represented in this colourful showcase of the artistry and creativity nurtured at MAWA.

This show also offers the chance to tangibly support local artists: many of the works will be for sale, with all proceeds going to the artists.

— Jen Zoratti

Interlake Artist Collective 16X20 Art Show + Sale

St. Andrews Community Club, 28 St. Andrews Rd.

Oct. 4

Where MAWA’s artists consider shades, the Interlake Artist Collective’s consider surface area with their latest members’ sale, a “one size, one price, one day” format. Nearly 20 artists from across the Interlake region are bringing more than 150 original works to St. Andrews, with a fixed price point (not yet announced) and predetermined scope (16” x 20”). “Your choice comes down to what speaks to you,” the writeup says.

The IAC’s flagship event also includes a full day of programming, including an art-in-progress chat with emerging artist Ethan Olson, a caricature drawing workshop with Barb Hoffmann and a tutorial with Jackie Turnbull focused on bringing birds to the canvas with paint.

— Ben Waldman

Works in Progress: Open studio and art show

618 ARTlington Studios, 618 Arlington St.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ARTlington Studios is a heritage building-turned creative hub housing more than 20 local artists.

Visitors are invited to stroll through the three-storey space this Saturday to watch live art demonstrations and peruse work for sale.

Find a group exhibition — curated by Danielle Fontaine Koslowsky and Rye Leeside — on the second floor featuring past and current studio artists working in ceramics, painting, textiles, photography and glass.

The show will include new work by Winnipeg visual artist Bev Pike, whose current practice focuses on large-format paintings of mystical underground grottos.

There will also be hourly education sessions hosted by different artists on the topics of creativity, inspiration and connection.

— Eva Wasney

Winnipeg Design Festival

Various locations

Today to Sept. 27

The Winnipeg Design Festival runs this year in conjunction with Culture Days.

Hosted by Storefront Manitoba, the weeklong festival highlights contemporary art, architecture and design with a series of free events.

Curbside parking spots will be transformed into mini parks and public spaces at tonight’s Park(ing) Day launch party at 245 Graham Ave.

Tomorrow, take a guided bike tour through this year’s Cool Gardens installations or create a square for the Winnipeg Quilt project.

Next week, join a lunchtime Achitectour tour through various buildings in the Exchange District and The Forks.

The festival wraps up during Nuit Blanche on Sept. 27 with several musical events and interactive installations.

— Eva Wasney

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