2nd Annual Brisebois Bees Art Box Exhibition Contest
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Triwood Community Association 2244 Chicoutimi Dr NW
About the Event
We are turning functional beekeeping equipment into a community masterpiece. When you register, you’ll receive a primed, blank white hive box to use as your canvas. Whether you’re a professional artist or a creative hobbyist, your work will help raise awareness for Calgary’s urban pollinators.
Important: To keep our bees safe and healthy, you must only use outdoor latex paint. Please avoid oil-based paints, varnishes, or toxic additives. We want these boxes to be as safe for the bees as they are beautiful for the garden.
The Worker Bee (Youth 16 and under): For the casual creators and young artists. A fun way to get involved in urban agriculture. The Queen’s Choice (Adult over 16): For established artists looking to showcase their talent. These boxes will be the centerpieces of the public vote.
The People’s Choice: How to Vote Every visitor to the Triwood Spring Market is a judge! We want the community to decide which hive boxes truly capture the spirit of Calgary’s pollinators. Here is how you can help crown the winners: 1. One Ballot Per Visitor Every person who visits the Brisebois Bees exhibition receives one official ballot. 2. Rate Your Top Three In each category, you will select your three favorite designs. To ensure the most loved boxes win, we use a weighted point system: 1st Choice: 3 Points 2nd Choice: 2 Points 3rd Choice: 1 Point 3. Two Categories, Six Winners Cast your votes for both of our competitive categories: The Worker Bee: Reserved for creative young artists (Ages 16 and Under). The Queen’s Choice: Our open category for professional and established artists. 4. The Grand Tally At the end of the market, the Brisebois Bees team will tally the total points. Prizes will be awarded to the Top 3 point-earners in both the Worker Bee and Queen’s Choice categories!
April 10 | Pick-Up Day
Come to Brentwood to collect your blank white hive box and start your project.
5247 Brisebois Drive NW
April 25 | The Deadline
Return your completed masterpiece by 5:00 PM to be ready for the exhibition.
5247 Brisebois Drive NW
April 26 | The Contest
Join us at the Triwood Spring Market! View the art, cast your vote, and celebrate our local pollinators.
2244 Chicoutimi Dr NW
Meet Brisebois Bees
Rooted in Brentwood, Grown with Care Brisebois Bees is a local, family-run urban beekeeping operation named after our home on Brisebois Drive. What started in 2015 with a single nucleus colony has grown organically into a thriving network of over 70 colonies across the city. We are dedicated to sustainable urban beekeeping and sharing the rewards of the hive with our neighbors. When we aren’t tending to our bees, you can find our Pure Raw Honey for sale locally at the PharmaSave on Northmount Drive.
Norman Donaldson
Owner & Founder. The visionary behind the Art Box initiative and the “Storman Norman” managing our operations. With a background in land surveying and a passion for the environment, Norm ensures our colonies are placed and managed for maximum health and community benefit.
Trina White
Lead Beekeeper & Community Outreach. The voice of the hive. Katrina manages the hands-on care for our 70+ colonies and serves as our community ambassador. You’ll find her sharing the Brisebois Bees story at local markets and ensuring our honey and events reach every corner of Calgary.
Sheila Donaldson
The Creative Heart of the Hive. Sheila (Norman’s mum!) is the artisan behind our high-quality hive goods. She hand-crafts our sustainable beeswax food wraps, premium candles, and our signature soothing lotions and balms. By blending pure ingredients with the natural benefits of the colony, Sheila ensures every “treasure from the hive” is prepared with the utmost care, quality, and a personal family touch.
About the Organisers
Brisebois Bees is a family-run urban beekeeping operation based right here in Calgary. We manage over 70 colonies across the city, focused on sustainable beekeeping and community education. By partnering with the Triwood Community Association, we’re bringing local art and urban agriculture together to celebrate our hard-working pollinators.
Join us at the Spring Market and get a chance to meet the organisers.
We are overwhelmed by the incredible support for this year’s Art Box Competition. A special thank you to the 20+ local businesses and organizations who have donated prizes and resources to support Calgary’s urban pollinators. We couldn’t do this without you!
2025 Inspiration: From Hives to High Art.
Last year, the Calgary creative community blew us away! We saw everything from intricate floral landscapes to bold abstract designs. These weren’t just paintings—they became functional, working homes for our 70+ colonies across the city. Check out some of the standout masterpieces from our 1st Annual Competition to get your inspiration buzzing for this year’s exhibition at the Triwood Spring Market!
Buzz Brisebois Bees at 403-284-5247 Voice or Text briseboisbees@gmail.com
