Art Buffet returns for winter semester
A weekly art program at MacEwan University is using creative activities to support student and community well-being during the winter semester
Theo Donovan (left) and Savannah Dyck (right) participating in activities offered by Art Buffet Photo credit: Orlah Moore
The Art Buffet welcomes back members with new programming to look forward to as Theo Donovan and Savannah Dyck share the importance of the community.
Operating every Wednesday in Allard Hall, Art Buffet is getting started with a whole semester full of new activities.
Donovan, Art Buffet curator, said, “This week was mental health week, so we worked with [MacEwan] to help folks learn some grounding drawing activities.”
Donovan has been the gallery assistant at the Mitchell Art Gallery (MAG) since September 2025 and has one term left in charge of programming Art Buffet.
“There’s always something new to learn, there’s new materials that we’re working with, new processes of integrating art in historical contexts, and contemporary education.” Donovan said.
For Black History Month, Art Buffet is collaborating with the Office of Human Rights to teach participants about quilt codes.
Donovan said the overall structure and format of Art Buffet will remain the same as past semesters, while also keeping things fresh.
Alongside Donovan is volunteer Dyck, who speaks highly of the experience.
“I feel like the community is really great, and you get to talk to so many interesting people,” said Dyck
After spending a semester with Art Buffet, Donovan and Dyck have noticed regular faces making their way in each Wednesday. “There are lots of folks that make a routine of Art Buffet, typically, we have regulars, and they rely on that access to it,” Donovan said.
Donovan hopes that during his time left as a MAG gallery assistant, he can help people explore art as a non-professional mental health tool and build community.
