BRENNA MAAG: LIFE OF AN ARTIST

Photo: Observation of Wonder

Brenna Maag, a talented local artist from Mission, British Columbia, has been passionate about creating art since childhood. With the loving support of her Nana, who taught her to sew, and her mom, who crafted a cozy studio corner for her in the family room, Brenna discovered her creative spark early on. By Grade 11, she was certain she would pursue a life as an artist, eventually attending Emily Carr University to specialize in printmaking and installations. Over the years, Brenna has exhibited her work across the Lower Mainland and shared her skills as an artist-in-residence in schools. Though she has navigated the challenges of raising children alongside her artistic journey, Brenna’s creativity remains an essential part of her identity, inspiring her every step of the way.

Brenna is drawn to ambitious, multi-year projects that create immersive, meaningful experiences for her audience. Her renowned installation, Observation of Wonder, features over 700 reclaimed doilies carefully arranged inside a nine-foot-high dome. Visitors stepping into the dome are captivated by the luminous patterns that surround them, often describing the space as sacred. Brenna’s goal is to touch people’s hearts and create moments of connection through her work.

Her current project, Camera Illumina, incorporates camera obscura technology to foster intimacy with the land through attention and sensory experience. This project reflects Brenna’s journey to build a deeper relationship with her home—the ancestral land of the Stó:lō people—and to rethink her perspective on nature. Inspired by Potowatami botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass, Brenna explores the idea of being in a reciprocal relationship with the land. Her work invites viewers to engage with their surroundings in thoughtful and transformative ways.

Brenna’s creativity extends into deeply personal projects, such as A Calendar You’re Not Allowed to Keep. Inspired by the many postcards her dad sent her during his life, Brenna designed an interactive calendar that encourages users to send monthly postcards to loved ones, fostering tangible connections. This heartfelt project received immense support, becoming fully funded in just 11 hours during its Kickstarter campaign and earning the badge “Kickstarter Projects We Love.” Brenna is currently developing the 2026 version of the interactive postcard calendar.

View Brenna’s work at www.brennamaag.ca. Through her art, she offers a glimpse into her creativity, dedication, and the meaningful connections she strives to create.

Sword ferns through Camera Illumina, Lane Creek Park

A Calendar You’re Not Allowed to Keep

Camera Illumina at Burnaby Blooms Festival, 2023 Photo: R. Maag