Celebrate innovation, creative excellence, connection and more with the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts’ Vibe Fest, presented by Stringam Law.

Held on Saturday, April 18, from 3 to 10 p.m. in the University Centre for the Arts, Vibe Fest opens the Faculty’s doors to the community to highlight the full scope of emerging and innovative art practices across fine arts students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“Vibe Fest shows off all the things that creative arts and technologies are in 2026. Many people aren’t quite sure what we do in fine arts, and Vibe Fest is a fun way for folks — inside and outside the University — to experience all areas of fine arts,” says Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Through Vibe Fest, the Faculty of Fine Arts puts its world-class studios, spaces, technologies and facilities on display in accessible and interactive ways, inviting audiences to engage through immersive, playful and experimental experiences.

Visitors can check out exhibitions, performances, installations and more from each area of the fine arts — including music concerts, a dramatic creative collab, art awards and a faculty exhibition and a technologically-driven new media showcase — as well as a local artisan market presented by the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union and a curator’s tour of the new ULethbridge Art Gallery exhibit, Parallels, which showcases the renowned Buchanan Collection.

Davis-Fisch says Vibe Fest affirms the importance of arts education and builds advocacy for the arts in southern Alberta.

“The festival is designed so visitors can pop in and out of performances, exhibitions and spaces, immersing themselves and exploring as much as they’d like. And it’s low risk — if you don’t love what you’re seeing, you can walk around the corner and see or experience something else!”

This is the second Vibe Fest event, with last year’s exceeding expectations for attendance and engagement, as the University Centre for the Arts welcomed more than 1,500 community members for the inaugural festival. Davis-Fisch adds for this year, attendees can experience an impactful event that has something for everyone.

“Vibe Fest is bigger and better this year, with expanded hours and even more curated performances and exhibitions, allowing our creative excellence in the Faculty of Fine Arts to come through in exciting and inclusive ways. This is truly a can’t-miss event for art supporters and those curious about what occurs behind closed doors in the fine arts.”

Vibe Fest is free for all to attend, with entertainment for individuals and families of all ages and interests.

Learn more about Vibe Fest, read our sneak peeks and join the vibe at go.uleth.ca/vibe.