Image by Stephen Chan
Stephen Chan is joined by Jessica Szeto to present his new photobook, Eau Claire Nowhere, which documents the liminal spaces and '90s aesthetic of the now demolished Eau Claire Market in downtown Calgary. Long considered a dead mall since its opening in 1993, the market never lived up to its promise as a downtown farmer's market and entertainment nexus. With a dated pastel colour-scheme, quirky shops and empty hallways, it had an unserious reputation among Calgarians for its continued existence through multiple recessions and redevelopment efforts. The city's announcement of the mall's closure and demolition in 2024 led to this last chance to document Eau Claire's unique character, businesses and architecture before it became another forgotten relic of Calgary's history.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Stephen Chan (he/him) is a self-taught film photographer born and raised in Calgary. He graduated from the University of Calgary with a degree in Geomatics Engineering, which involves the collection, integration and analysis of geospatial data. Stephen takes inspiration from his engineering background to explore the metaphysical relationships between people and their constructed environments. Stephen has exhibited at the Exposure Photography Festival, InFocus Photography Exhibition, The New Gallery, and Alberta Society of Artists exhibitions throughout Calgary and Alberta, as well as the Shutter Hub Open in Cambridge, UK, and received funding from Calgary Arts Development for the production of the photobook Eau Claire Nowhere.
@ektavision
https://stephenchan.photography
Jessica Szeto (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer, and computer programmer who was born in and is currently based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). Her work often explores the intersections between memory, diaspora, and personal history. She holds a BSc Honours in Computer Science from the University of Calgary. She has recently exhibited works at The New Gallery, TRUCK Contemporary Art, Heritage Park, The Lougheed House, and the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre. She is currently completing her first animated short as the 2025 recipient of Quickdraw Animation Society’s Chris J. Melnychuk Memorial Scholarship and Residency.
Shelf Life is on the #3, #17 and #449 bus route, and a 10-minute walk from the 4th Street SW train stop downtown. Street parking is free after 6PM. The store is ground level with no stairs or inclines. The washrooms are non-gendered, one with wheelchair accessibility and one with a changing table.