Altona’s Gallery in the Park has opened its summer exhibit with two powerful new displays that explore history, identity, and the impact of colonization—both past and present.
The June 6 opening night drew a crowd of visitors, where Winnipeg artist Miriam Rudolph and historian Aileen Friesen each shared work that invites conversation and reflection.
“These are big topics, and they’re important topics to learn about and think about,” said gallery curator Renae Friesen. “We’re looking at them through a different lens— nd that’s what makes these exhibits so compelling.”
On the main floor, Rudolph’s exhibit features two series of detailed printwork: Layered Histories: Perspectives on Colonization from the Chaco and Storied Land: (Re)Mapping Winnipeg.
Using maps, newspapers, and other archival materials, Rudolph’s art explores how colonization has shaped people and places, including her own family’s Mennonite history in the Paraguayan Chaco.
“We often think of colonization as something in the past,” she explained. “But its effects continue to pervade everything: our systems, our thinking, the stories we’re taught — and the ones that are left out.”
Her second series looks at Winnipeg through layers of satellite maps, headlines, and abstract visuals. It shows how public perception has been influenced — and sometimes misled — by the media and history books.
“These works are visually stunning, but they also dig deep,” noted Friesen. “They spark important conversations about colonization, decolonization, and migration. Many people left the opening night feeling moved and inspired.”
Upstairs, the gallery is featuring Faith, Loss, Renewal: The Russlaender Mennonites, a photo-based exhibit telling the story of more than 21,000 Mennonites who fled the Soviet Union in the 1920s and settled in Canada.
The exhibit, curated by Aileen Friesen and designed by Anikó Szabó, includes historical photos, documents, and personal reflections. It highlights the loss, faith, and strength of those who had to start over in a new country.
“It’s packed with information and food for thought,” Renae Friesen said. “There’s an artistic element to it, too—a way of presenting history that helps people connect with it in a different way.”
Gallery in the Park’s summer exhibit runs until July 31.
