Belonging in practice: Where is Home? exhibit at the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery

Where is Home? brings together UFV instructor Anushray Singh, students, and alumni in a collaborative exploration of belonging, memory, and migration. The exhibition transforms the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery into a shared space of reflection and creative dialogue.

At the heart of UFV’s Abbotsford campus, the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery (pronounced S-uh-lee-uh-mut-out-ook) stands as a creative and cultural hub: a space where students, faculty, and alumni artists come together to explore ideas through art, is run by the UFV School of Creative Arts (SoCA). The Upriver Halq’eméylem name, S’eliyemetaxwtexw, means a place that holds dreams or visions — a reflection of the gallery’s role as both an educational and imaginative space.

“The faculty and staff in SoCA are deeply committed to supporting emerging student artists through instruction, mentorship, and collaboration, and encouraging a creative dialogue that extends beyond the gallery walls,” says Jennifer Chew, visual resources and communications specialist. “The gallery is a professional space for students to gain experiential learning opportunities to develop their skills in exhibition practices, installation, curation, and public presentation. Through public exhibitions, artist talks, and events, SoCA invites audiences to engage with contemporary issues, creativity, and diverse artistic practices.”

That vision takes tangible form in the gallery’s recent exhibition, Where is Home? led by Anushray Singh, artist and UFV SoCA LTA instructor in Digital Photography, Media Arts, Filmmaking and South Asian Studies. Now in its fourth iteration, Anushray’s ongoing project examines migration, belonging, and the ways we construct meaning through shared experience.

“This project started as a reflection on what it means to leave one home and slowly build on another,” says Anushray. “Over time, it grew into a dialogue between diasporic identities, memory, and place.”

In this version, Anushray has taken on the role of curator, collaborating with UFV alumni and students — some of whom he has taught — to explore how creative practice can help us reimagine home. “Each of them brings a unique perspective to the question of home,” Singh explains. “Together, we move from asking ‘Where is home?’ to ‘How can home be made through shared artistic experience?’”

Anushray, who has been part of the Gallery Committee since early 2023, sees the exhibition as both an artistic and educational journey.

“Presenting Where is Home? here allows me to use the gallery as a bridge between students, faculty, and the wider community,” he says.

“I hope visitors feel the ache and the beauty of belonging. The exhibit isn’t about providing answers – it’s about recognition.”

“The exhibits, featuring both emerging and established artists, range from student-led group shows and individual showcases, to class and community-centered projects,” says Jennifer. “They exemplify how the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery serves as an essential part of UFV’s creative community — an active space of collaboration and reflection that expands classroom learning, fosters artistic development and critical thinking, and deepens our engagement with art and visual culture.”

This reflects how the gallery approaches its exhibition programming. Each spring, the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery issues a call for proposals at the end of March, and supports and encourages UFV student, faculty, alumni, and community-centred exhibitions. Priority consideration is given to exhibitions related to activities within and connected to the School of Creative Arts.

Proposals should clearly describe what the project showcases, articulate a central idea or question, show how the work connects to community or contemporary issues, demonstrate thoughtful use of the gallery space, and explain why the works are ready for exhibition.

Artists interested in exhibiting in 2026 are encouraged to begin preparing their proposals early. Those interested in exhibiting or learning more about upcoming opportunities can visit https://sag.ufvsoca.ca/sag/.

Where is Home? ran at the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery until November 7.

The S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery is in Room B136, B Building, Abbotsford Campus, UFV. Gallery hours are noon-5 pm, Monday-Friday.

For questions related to the gallery, contact SAG.Gallery@ufv.ca