Beneath the surface

Creating visual stories with depth and detail through conceptual illustration

Logo of Residence Inn by Marriott in black text on a white background.
Logo for Contemporary Calgary with a stylized letter 'C' and the text 'Contemporary Calgary'.
Logo for Hispanic Arts Society, with large gray 'has' and smaller black text 'hispanic arts society'.
The word 'space' in black lowercase letters with stylized letter 's' and 'e' resembling arrows.
University of Calgary Nickle Galleries logo with university crest and text
Logo for Vertigo Theatre with a stylized tower or needle icon above the word 'vertigo' in bold lowercase letters and 'THEATRE' underneath in smaller uppercase letters.
Logo for the Fascination Asian Film Festival featuring a stylized film reel with the festival name.
Logo of The Alberta Society of Artists with a stylized shield and text.

I need to be real.

real with myself.
AND real with others.

Ethel Dalida is a Calgary-based multidisciplinary artist specializing in painting and illustration. A University of Calgary BFA honours graduate, she has received the 2010 art-a-thon Merit Award from Cardel Homes, and has exhibited in venues such as cSPACE, the Nickle, and Contemporary Galleries. In 2023, she earned a Therapeutic Arts Practitioner certificate from the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy.

Ethel’s work explores Asian-Canadian identity, community and belonging through symbol-rich imagery inspired by nature, animation, pop culture, to produce conceptual work with allegorical and deep meanings. Although her main medium is acrylic, she explores other artist materials like string, lipstick, nail polish, and hang tags.

Discover More

CV.

  • 2027 (UPCOMING) Moving Forms, BGRE (formerly Brookfield Properties), Fifth Ave Place, Suncor, Bankers Hall, Calgary, AB
    2026 Moving Forms, BGRE (formerly Brookfield Properties), Brookfield Place, Calgary, AB
    2022 Eden, cSPACE, Calgary, AB
    2013 Natureluxe, Essentia, Calgary, AB

  • 2026 Colours of Healing, LAS x Calgary Culture Days, Astra Business Centre, Calgary AB
    2025 The HeART of Women’s Health, University of Calgary, Libin Women’s Cardiovascular Health, cSPACE, Calgary AB
    2025 Being Bold Multi-Sensory Art Exhibition, FascinAsian Film Festival, Central Public Library, Calgary AB
    2025 Deadly Murder, Vertigo Theatre, Calgary AB
    2023 Resilience Art Project - Inauguration Ceremony, Hispanic Arts Society, Telus Convention Centre, Calgary, AB
    2023 Memory and Dreams, Northern Alberta Jubilee, Edmonton, AB
    2022 Memory and Dreams, Southern Alberta Jubilee, Calgary, AB
    2015 (be)longing, Nickle Galleries, Calgary, AB
    2014 Push 2014, Contemporary Calgary, Calgary, AB
    2013 FSA Exposed Art Gala, National Music Center, Calgary, AB
    2013 Alberta Culture Fest, Genesis Center, Calgary, AB
    2013 Emerging Canadian Artist Profiling Initiative, Ranchmen’s Club, Calgary, AB
    2012 FSA Exposed Art Gala, National Music Center, Calgary, AB
    2012 Emerging Canadian Artist Profiling Initiative, Ranchmen’s Club, Calgary, AB
    2011 FSA Exposed Art Gala, National Music Center, Calgary, AB
    2011 ImaginASIAN Cultural 2011 Gala, Regency Palace, Calgary, AB
    2011 I Heart Imaginasian Youth Art Show, Eau Claire Market, Calgary, AB
    2010 Unititled, Catholic School Board of Education Office, Calgary, AB
    2010 Western Showcase, BMO Center, Calgary, AB

  • 2026 Zhang, Adriana. Interview. CTV, 315 Artist in Residence segments. Mar 23, 2026
    2022 Omni News, July 6 2022
    2022 Braat, Taylor. Interview. City News. Jul 6 2022
    2016 Taiga Article. Ricepaper. Dec 20, 2016
    2013 Evano, Quay. Interview. The Filipino Channel. Feb 7, 2013
    2013 Donna. “Art Created Using Make-up. Thought Provoking and Beautiful”. Fresh Fuzz. Jan 18, 2023
    2012 Bellam, Jill. Interview. Breakfast Television. 2012
    2011 Interview, CJWS Radio, Calgary, AB, May 2011
    2011 “Asian Heritage Foundation” Breakfast Television, May 2011
    2010 Nethercott, Patricia. “PEAC Art Classes at St. Patrick’s School”. Filipino Journal. Apr 11, 2010

  • 2011 Jason Lang Scholarship
    2010 Art-a-thon Merit Award, Cardel Homes
    2010 Artist of the Year, Father Lacombe

  • 2026 (CURRENT) 315 Artist in Residence, BGRE (formerly Brookfield Properties) Banker’s Hall, Calgary, AB
    2023 Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy, Therapeutic Arts Practitioner Certificate, CAN
    2023 Volunteer, Loud Art Society, Calgary, AB
    2022 Art Instructor, Loud Art Society “Landscape Painting Lessons” & “Abstract Painting Lessons”, CIWA, Calgary, AB
    2022 Art Instructor, Brightpath Kids Day Care, Calgary, AB
    2021 Volunteer, Contemporary Calgary, AB
    2015 University of Calgary, Bachelor of Visual Fine Arts Honours Degree, AB
    2015 Volunteer, Executive Director, ArtHouse Union, University of Calgary, AB
    2012 Private Art Tutor, Calgary, AB

  • 2026 BGRE Tenant Socks, Artist Doodles, Calgary AB
    2026 Utility Box Program, Live Free, Woodcreek Community Association, Calgary AB
    2024 Utility Box Program, Soul, product, Loud Art Society & Calgary Arts Development, Calgary AB
    2024 Tara Vahab, Newspaper Queen Catalogue, Calgary AB
    2024 Tara Vahab KOAC Residency Video, Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre, Calgary AB
    2016 Shop design, Cute Critter Vancouver Totem, Make, Vancouver BC