Ania Telfer. Creating joy. Cultivating wonder
Welcome to my world of contemporary abstract art, where the spirit meets the canvas. Through bold, colorful and intuitive brushstrokes, I aim to transport viewers to a place of joy, wonder and upliftment. My art is inspired by the world of the spirit and the limitless potential of the human soul.
Each painting is a unique expression of emotion and energy, a visual representation of the unseen forces that shape our world. Through my art, I hope to inspire positive change and uplift the world one painting at a time.
From vibrant bursts of colour, to fluid, sweeping strokes, my paintings are a celebration of the beauty and power of the human spirit. They are an invitation to let go of the mundane and enter a world of wonder and possibility.
I also offer art based mental health and psychotherapy services at Nightingale Psychotherapy and art workshop programing for corporations, schools, children, community groups and adults at Art Can Rescue the World studio.
Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply looking for a moment of inspiration, my paintings offer a window into the transformative power of creativity. Join me on this journey and experience the joy and upliftment that art can bring to your life.
Artist Biography
Ania Telfer, M.C., is a Baha’i, intuitive, multidisciplinary artist, third-culture kid, second-generation Canadian of Polish descent. She was born in Tkaronto (Toronto) and currently resides in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton).
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Ania is a recipient of an individual Canada Council for the Arts grant (2026), as well as individual (2019) and collective (2023) grants from the Edmonton Arts Council.
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Ania holds a Master of Counselling, a Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts, a minor in photography, and is a Certified Canadian Counsellor.
With a background in expressive arts therapy, counselling, and photography, Ania’s work transcends traditional boundaries, encompassing painting, mentorship, performance, dance collaborations, multimedia installation, eco-art, and interactive experiences.
Her practice explores the intersection of healing, spirituality, and creative expression through interdisciplinary collaboration. She aims to invite viewers into realms of wonder and self-discovery, evoking moments of joyful possibility and expanded perception.
Ania’s work reflects a commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and nurturing collaborative networks, grounded in a vision of art as a catalyst for personal and societal transformation.
Education
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Ontario Academic Credit in Art; Sienna, Venice& Florence, Italy
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Nova Scotia College of Art and Design; Halifax, Canada
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Concordia University; Montreal, Canada
BA in Communication, Minor in Photography -
St. Stephen’s College; Edmonton, Canada
Spiritually Focused Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate -
City University of Seattle; Edmonton, Canada
Masters of Counselling
Ania Telfer is supported by the EdmontonArts Council and the City of Edmonton.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
ARTIST CV
Grants
2026 Artistic Creation / Canada Council for the Arts
2023 Artist Driven Major Projects / Edmonton Arts Council
2019 Exploration and Experimentation / Edmonton Arts Council
Solo Shows
2026 Army of Light / installation & paintings / Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery / Blairmore, AB
2025 Solo presentation / paintings / The Switch, Edmonton City Centre Mall / Edmonton, AB
2024 Edmonton Bar Association Judges’ Dinner / live painting / Edmonton, AB
2024 Featured presentation / paintings / EPCOR Qualico Tower, Edmonton City Centre Mall / Edmonton, AB
2023 Glimpses of the Divine Springtime / paintings, floral installation / Bleeding Heart Art Space / Edmonton, AB
2022 SkirtsAFire Festival / live painting / Edmonton, AB
2022 Isolation Art / paintings / Lois Hole Library / Edmonton, AB
2021 Social Media Takeover / paintings / Bleeding Heart Art Space / Edmonton, AB
2019- 2020 Ridvan Festival / live painting / Edmonton, AB
2019 Heal Me / paintings / Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital / Edmonton, AB
2018 C-Tribe Festival / live painting / Edmonton, AB
2007 The Valley of Search / photography / Latitude 53 / Edmonton, AB
Collaborative Performance & Installation (Artist Collectives)
2026 Roses, Roses Everywhere / multimedia installation / ARISE / Ridvan Festival / Edmonton, AB
2025 Movement Beyond the Frame / theatrical live painting (painter, performer, collaborator) / Beyond the
Frame Collective / University of Alberta Hospital, McMullen Gallery / Edmonton, AB
2024 O Fleeting Shadow / theatrical live painting (painter, performer, collaborator) / Beyond the Frame
Collective / Bleeding Heart Art Space / Edmonton, AB
2024 Immortal Realm / theatrical live painting (painter, performer, dancer, collaborator) / Beyond the Frame Collective / Unveiling Cabaret, Mile Zero Dance / Edmonton, AB
2024 Chromatic Conscious / theatrical live painting (painter, performer, dancer, collaborator) / Outside the Frame Collective / Unveiling Cabaret, Mile Zero Dance / Edmonton, AB
Group Shows
2024 Polish Art of Edmonton / paintings / Polish Cultural Society of Edmonton / Edmonton, AB
2023 Silent and Present / paintings / Bleeding Heart Art Space / Edmonton, AB
2023 If Walls Could Talk, If Floors Had Eyes / paintings, ceramics / Stollery Gallery / Edmonton, AB
2023 Love / paintings / NOA Gallery / Edmonton, AB
2022 Eternal Summer / paintings / Multicultural Centre Public Art Gallery / Stony Plain, AB
2022 Opening / paintings / NOA Gallery / Edmonton, AB
2021 Smalls / paintings / Blue Sky Lofts / Edmonton, AB
2021 PandemArtium / paintings / Harcourt House / Edmonton, AB
2021 March / paintings / Women Artist Born Global / Online
2020 Imagine / paintings / Stanley Milner Library / Edmonton, AB
2020 Summer / paintings / Women Artist Born Global / Online
2019 A Face in the Crowd / paintings / Edmonton, AB
2019 Metaphor and Art / paintings / Harcourt House / Edmonton, AB
2019 YEG Canvas / paintings / Edmonton Arts Council / Edmonton, AB
2018 Art From The Unknown / paintings / Edmonton, AB
2018 In Search of the Human Essence / film / Harcourt House / Edmonton, AB
2018 NextFest / paintings / Edmonton, AB
2016–2018 Art Mentorship Society of Alberta / paintings / Edmonton, AB
2016 Homesick / photography / North Vancouver Community Arts Council / Vancouver, BC
Expressive Arts Practice
2023–present Expressive arts workshops and programming / Edmonton Catholic Schools, Strathcona Library, Edmonton Public Schools, University of Alberta / Edmonton, AB; Sherwood Park, AB
2023–present Arts-based mental health and creative facilitation / Art Can Rescue the World / Edmonton, AB
2019–present Expressive arts facilitation for wellbeing and team development / Edmonton, AB
Teaching, Lectures & Public Presentations
2025 Building Vibrant Communities Through Art / presentation / Association of Baha’i Studies Conference
2024 Art, Healing, Trauma/ guest lecture / Concordia University / Edmonton, AB
2023 Where Creativity Meets Divinity / presentation / Edmonton Baha’i Community
2022 Divine Springtime / artist talk / Bleeding Heart Art Space / Edmonton, AB
2021 Q&A: Art, Life and Creativity / presentation / Edmonton Public Library / Edmonton, AB
2021 Junior Youth Empowerment Program / community arts facilitation / Edmonton, AB
2019 Alberta Baha’i Winter School / community arts facilitation / Edmonton, AB
Volunteer, Juries & Community Arts Contributions
2025–2023 Selection Jury / Bleeding Heart Art Space / Edmonton, AB
2024–2022 Art donations for auction / Edmonton Bar Association, Mile Zero Dance, Amy’s House, Multicultural Centre Art Gallery / Edmonton, AB; Stony Plain, AB
2007–present Arts workshop facilitation / Baha’i Community / Edmonton, AB
Media Coverage & Public Features
2024 Syrenka Art Exhibition / interview / AR-point99 / YouTube
2020 A Baha’i Perspective / podcast interview / Everand
2019 Arts and Educating Children / film interview / Edmonton Baha’i Community / Edmonton, AB
2019 I Paint the Spiritual World / feature interview / Baha’i Blog
2019 Emerging Transformed / interview / The Art World Expo
Memberships & Professional Affiliations
2023–present Beyond the Frame Collective / painter, performer, AV collaborator
2009–present ARISE Collective / painter, installation, collaborator
2025–present Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Publications & Artist Books
2017 Valleys of Wonder / self-published board book / Edmonton, AB