Some of the pieces in Theresa Eisenbarth's exhibition Walking the Flats. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Schneider)

By Chris Brown

Gallery, museum, archives

Esplanade reopens with Walking the Flats exhibition

Jun 15, 2020 | 4:25 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – As the Esplanade reopens to the public today, Medicine Hat artist Theresa Eisenbarth is helping them usher in a new era of how art lovers experience a gallery, and she’s doing by looking into her past.

The exhibition is called Walking the Flats, which is where the artist spent her younger years in homes on Dominion and Balmoral streets.

“This exhibition actually is focused on walks I would have taken growing up in the Flats,” she said.

The paintings show familiar locations along those walks such as St. Louis School, MacKenzie Drugs and areas around Strathcona Island Park.

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The idea of neighbourhood is a constant in all the paintings.

“I think right now with neighbourhood and everything that’s happened in COVID, neighbourhoods are so important to people because we’ve been isolated and we haven’t had that one-on-one and that face to face contact,” said Eisenbarth. “I mean social media is great but seeing a person in person is, now it’s amazing oh my god I’m so happy to see people.”

Beginning on June 22, Eisenbarth will be painting an “alleyway of lilacs” in the gallery during its open hours. Visitors can watch the work being done and interact with the artist.

The exhibition can be viewed in person but also by a tour that will be available on the Esplanade’s website. Videos and interviews with Eisenbarth will be posted weekly on the website and shared on the Esplanade’s social media channels.

She said the Esplanade has done a great job of embracing technology for the exhibition.

“It’ll be a 3D virtual reality tour that you’ll be able to see so if you’re home, and your isolating and you can’t see it, you’ll be able to see it,” she said. “I think it’ll be exciting. It’ll be great for people to see a little bit more live streaming about some of the programs they have here at the Esplanade, including this show.”

Eisenbarth encourages anyone with feedback to connect with her on eisenbarth.ca or on Instagram or Facebook.

The exhibit will be on display until August 15 and free tickets to the gallery can be booked online.

Hours of operation for the Esplanade’s galleries, museum and archives are noon to 5 p.m. by appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted subject to availability and capacity limits.

Admission is Pay What You Will.