ArtistSpeak* – A.I.

Part talk show, conversation, and collective making space exploring how artists are navigating artificial intelligence as both a creative tool and cultural force.

Join us for an evening of dialogue and reflection as artists share how A.I. is shaping their practices, workflows, ethics, and relationships to authorship and labour. Together, we’ll explore questions of originality, collaboration, resistance, and possibility — and what it means to create in an era where technology is evolving faster than our language for it.

Hosted by Kenna Burima, this gathering invites curiosity over certainty and conversation over conclusions, creating space for artists to think critically and creatively about the future unfolding around us.

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Doors: 4:30 PM | Program: 5:00 PM
Location: Trico Changemakers Studio @ MRU — Bissett School of Business, 4825 Mt Royal Gate SW, Calgary.
Craft Activity: Zines! A zine (pronounced ‘zeen’) is an independently or self-published booklet, either created through collage, traditionally using a mix-n-match of text and images to spread whatever message you like.
Ticketing & Support: This event is free with RSVP thanks to the generous support of Mount Royal University’s Institute for Community Prosperity, helping us remove financial barriers and keep this gathering accessible.

If you’re able, we invite you to ,please, consider making a donation when you reserve your ticket. Donations can be added at checkout or made at the door. All proceeds go directly toward paying artists and supporting future ArtistSpeak* events.

Uche Peter Umezurike: Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English and the 2025-2026 Wayne O. McCready Emerging Fellow at the Calgary Institute for the Humanities, University of Calgary, Canada. He is the author of Masculinities in Nigerian Fiction: Receptivity and Gender and of literary works such as there’s more, Double Wahala, Double Trouble, and a co-editor of Please Don’t Interrupt. His latest poetry collection, We Survived Until We Could Live, is coming out in April 2026.

Jason Mehmel: Jason Mehmel is a writer, producer and director living in Calgary. He is the Artistic Director for Sage Theatre. His recent directing work includes Boom Baby, The Orange Dot, and A Year of Magical Thinking (Sage Theatre). He produces the annual IGNITE! Festival of Emerging Artists and mentors emerging performing artists every year.

Jason Mehmel works as a speaker coach, recently supporting the Haskayne Business Exchange. He is the organizer and a speaker coach for the TEDxYYC event. He has produced and directed short films, written for animation, and both writes and edits in comics. More details available at jasonmehmel.com

Lucky Leggot: Coming Soon!

PARKING:

Nearest parking lot - East Gate Parkade (Evening parking rate of $8.75 applies) - MRU Visitor Parking Map.

The paystation for the East Gate Parkade is located on P2 Level (coins, Visa or Mastercard only).

Please click here for a link to the East Gate Parkade QR code.

Trico Changemakers Studio is located on the Third Floor of the Bisset Business Building.

Learn more about ArtistSpeak* and our other events comin this year at:

ArtistSpeak* is supported by the Institute for Community Prosperity @ Mount Royal University (MRU)

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Host or Publisher Kenna Burima