Now, Before, Always | Colton Smith 

Now, Before, Always | Colton Smith
January 10 –  24, 2026

Opening Reception: Sat, January 10 – 12pm to 5pm
In conjunction with the 21st Annual 50-500 Members Exhibition

Colton Smith is an emerging Ojibwe artist from Brandon, MB, and is a member of Keeseekoowenin First Nation (Treaty 2). He has a diploma in Digital Art and Design from Assiniboine College, a BFA in Digital Media and Design from Brandon University and was the artist-in-residence at Urban Shaman Contemporary Aboriginal Art in 2025. Specializing in 3D, VR, and projection mapping, his work explores actuality across real, virtual, and alternative existences and represents his cultural heritage through immersive and interactive storytelling. His practice builds upon the persistence of impression within our interconnected lives, how it informs our existence as peoples, and how we can shape the world we live in.

Inspired by modality and interconnectivity, reflecting how existences inform our interconnected experiences. How the past, present and future provide persistence of impression akin to reciprocity and equivalence of exchange. How essences can differ, yet still overlap, intersect, and provide means for interaction with one another. How the whole of our being provides us and the world around us with the ability to communicate with each other.

These are the sentiments behind Colton Smith’s work and are reflected in his current piece. His current interest ties to the world, with this piece focusing on the sparsely remaining asterisms across Indigenous cultures. Though the skies are barren of the stories that were once told, it does not mean they do not endure. The memories continue, documented all over and throughout actuality. The sky can still be bright, if not with our eyes, then with our selves.