Kelly Isaak is a figurative artist based in Calgary, Canada. Her work focuses on exploring storytelling through the lens of the Female Gaze, with a particular emphasis on drawing. Her current body of work examines the nuances of familial bonds, romantic partnerships, and other strong interpersonal connections through portraiture and the figure.
Isaak is a studio artist at NVRLND. Studios and also teaches within the Continuing Education department at the Alberta University of the Arts and the Center for Performing and Visual Arts.
KELLY ISAAK
Education
2008 BEd, University of Calgary
Calgary, Canada
1999 BFA, AuArts (formerly Alberta College of Art and Design), Drawing Major, Calgary, Canada
Solo Exhibitions
2022 – 2025 Alone Together, Travelling exhibit through the Trex
Program and the Alberta Society of Artists
2022 The Impermanence of Memory, The Boutique Gallery
Calgary, AB
2020 Breadmaker Volume 2, The Pioneer
Calgary, AB
2019 Boardroom, A Kyle Marks Project
Calgary, AB
2019 Works on Paper, Galérie La Cité
Edmonton, AB
2019 Monochrome, The Boutique Gallery
Calgary, Canada
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025. The Kingston Prize, Arta Gallery,
Toronto, Canada
2025 Ghost Stories 4, Ruberto Ostberg Gallery,
Calgary, Canada
2024 Connections, Ruberto Ostberg Gallery,
Calgary, Canada
2023 When We Circle: A Fem Assembly Show,
Arts Commons, Calgary, Canada
2023 Ghost Stories 3, Ruberto Ostberg Gallery
Calgary, Canada
2023 F is for Fem, The Alberta Hotel
Calgary, Canada
2022 Amuse Bouche, Workshop Studios
Calgary, Canada
2022 Connective Tissues, Colony Studios
Calgary, Canada
2022 Mark, Manifest Gallery
Cincinnati, OH
2021 Soft Opening, Good Neighbour
Calgary, AB
2021 A Symphony of Darkness, The Boutique Gallery
Calgary, AB
2020 Ghost Stories 2, Ruberto Ostberg Gallery
Calgary, AB
2019 Vol. 4, nvrlnd w/Palace of Manufacturers
Kelowna, BC
2019 Ghost Stories, Ruberto Ostberg Gallery
Calgary, AB
2019 A Point on the Horizon, Leighton Centre
Millarville, AB
Selected Professional Service and Awards
2025 Finalist in the Kingston Portrait Prize
2024 CADA Project Grant
2024 Artist Residency at Chateau Orqueveux, France
2023 – 2024 Part of the RBC Emerging Artist Cohort
2023 Honorable Mention in Drawing, People’s Portrait Prize
Calgary, AB
2008 – Present Calgary Board of Education,
Art Education Specialist
2019 Film Photography Workshop, Part of Ghost Days Project with Terrance Houle.
Banff Center, Canada
2018 Photography Workshop, Medalta
Medicine Hat, AB