Karen Pallister, Bluebird Heaven
Photo Medicine: The Healing Power
Lacombe Performing Arts Centre
ARTIST | KAREN PALLISTER
DATES | JAN 26-FEB 27, 2026
HOURS | MON-THU 9 AM-3 PM ♿︎
Adapting to life with autoimmune diseases, including MS, Karen Pallister utilizes photography as medicine to promote healing with the everyday challenges she faces. The relationship established between her camera and subject matter enhances her mind-body connection, manifesting positively in dealing with illness.
Using photography as a coping mechanism has expanded her horizons and introduced a surprising interest in nature photography and outdoor activity. Documenting life's fleeting moments allows Karen to revisit these memories on more challenging days, acting as a healing power to reduce stress-related symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases.
In the instances when illnesses often make her world much smaller, photography broadens and fosters creativity encouraging interactions with the miracles of the outside world, even in her own backyard. Medicine indeed.
Lacombe Performing Arts Centre
5227 Calgary Edmonton Trail, Lacombe
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that the Exposure Photography Festival is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Moh’kins’tsis”, which we now call the City of Calgary. This is the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. It is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. We honour and acknowledge all Nations, who live, work and play in Moh’kins’tsis, help steward this land, and honour and celebrate this territory.