SAAG celebrating 50 years

By Lethbridge Herald on January 16, 2026.

By Joe Manio

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter- Lethbridge Herald

As it marks 50 years in 2026, the Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG) Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin is opening the anniversary year with a new partnership with Excite Lethbridge that will bring rotating contemporary art exhibitions to the Lethbridge Trade & Convention Centre.

“Celebrating fifty years is a remarkable milestone for the Gallery—one we could not have reached without the visionary leadership of so many artists, staff, Board members, and our longstanding partners at the City of Lethbridge,” says SAAG executive director Su Ying Strang.

“As we begin our expansion and revitalization project this year, we are excited to show up beyond the gallery walls and deepen our connection to the community through contemporary art.” 

Beginning in spring 2026, the gallery will curate a series of free, small-scale contemporary art exhibitions throughout Excite Lethbridge’s publicly accessible spaces, offering corresponding public programs throughout the year. The inaugural year of the partnership is generously supported by funding from the Rozsa Foundation.

“Through new initiatives like our partnership with Excite Lethbridge announced this week, we are finding innovative ways to meet new audiences where they are and invite them to be part of our story. We have an incredible year ahead and encourage everyone—old friends and new—to join us as we write the story of our next fifty years,” says Strang.

The partnership launches as the gallery prepares to move offsite while renovations commence at its home in Galt Gardens and follows a transformative year for Excite Lethbridge as a new entity.

The strategic partnership supports both organizations’ work and mandates by fostering audience development and community engagement. The gallery will curate projects in the heavily used public spaces of Excite Lethbridge where hundreds of thousands of guests access year-round programming, opening the arts to new audiences.

“This unique partnership adds art, culture and value to the venue while honoring Excite Lethbridge’s commitment to connecting people, ideas and industries to grow experiences and opportunities for southern Alberta,” said Sydney Koppe, director of community engagement at Excite Lethbridge. 

Excite will open its public spaces to Alberta artists and provide visitors with new art experiences every quarter.

“We are thankful to the Southern Alberta Art Gallery for its partnership in making this innovative collaboration come to life and we can’t wait for the public to see how it comes together.”

The initiative launches as the gallery prepares to operate offsite during renovations to its home in Galt Gardens, creating new opportunities to reach audiences beyond traditional gallery spaces.

The Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG) traces its roots to 1974, when local residents formed an association to lobby for a contemporary art space in Lethbridge. The gallery opened its doors in 1976 in the former Carnegie Library after the city approved funding and operational support.

SAAG’s mandate is to showcase contemporary art, support innovative artists and foster public engagement through exhibitions and educational programming across southern Alberta.

Excite Lethbridge was formed in 2025 following the reorganization of the Lethbridge & District Exhibition (LDE). The new organization focuses on events, trade and convention attraction, and community programming at the Lethbridge Trade & Convention Centre (LTCC).

Its mandate is to drive economic growth and cultural vitality in southern Alberta by hosting local and national events, supporting community favourites and promoting Lethbridge as a destination for meetings and conventions.