The Fort McMurray Airport Authority aims to celebrate and promote arts and culture by displaying artist exhibits on digital screens throughout the terminal and its website. The YMM Digital Art Exhibit program provides a unique opportunity for artists to showcase their talent to a large and diverse audience of travellers from around the world.
Into Africa by Lisa Smith
Launched in April 2025, local wildlife portrait artist Lisa Smith presents her exhibit, Into Africa, which highlights her passion for creating artwork that reflects the intense connection she has with animals. She has a unique ability to capture the hearts and souls of every animal she paints through her precise attention to detail.
“Throughout my life, I’ve been captivated by the allure of the natural world and its remarkable wildlife,” she shared. “As my artistic abilities began to flourish in my childhood, I became increasingly drawn to depicting animals in their natural habitats through various art forms, including painting and drawing.”
As the first artist showcased in the 2025 Art of Connection Series, she said her Into Africa collection, which was completed in 2024, exemplifies her passion for animals and her aspiration to travel to Africa to witness her paintings in real life.
About the Artist
Lisa Smith is a self-taught Canadian artist living in Fort McMurray, Alberta. She specializes in highly realistic portraits of wildlife and pets. She has a unique ability to capture the heart and souls of every animal she paints through her precise attention to detail. To learn more about the artist and purchase her work, visit www.lisadsmithart.com. Commissions are available.
Discover more and purchase from Wildlife Artist – Lisa Smith online.
More Than by Robert Coppard
Launched in November 2024, local photographer Robert Coppard presents his exhibit, More Than, showcasing the landscapes, wildlife, and natural beauty of the Wood Buffalo region. Since moving to Fort McMurray in 2006, where he met his wife and bought his first home, Robert has experienced many life milestones. His life took a drastic turn on May 3, 2016, when he lost his home in the devastating wildfire known as “The Beast”.
In the aftermath, he turned to photography to cope, capturing the Northern Lights and exploring pet photography. Robert is dedicated to revealing Fort McMurray’s hidden beauty, with trails, lakes, and wildlife just minutes from his home in Abasand.
As the fourth artist announced for the 2024 YMM Digital Art Exhibit’s Connecting Cultures, Inspiring Journeys theme, Robert shares, “Having my work displayed is surreal. It’s the first time I truly feel like an artist since picking up a camera. I want to show the world the incredible natural beauty right here in Fort McMurray.”
About the Artist
Accredited professional photographer of the Professional Photographers of Canada, Robert Coppard can be found chasing the northern lights and capturing community events in the Wood Buffalo Region. Residing in Fort McMurray in 2006 from Ontario, he enjoys spending his time with his wife and fur babies.
Discover more from Robert Coppard on Facebook and Instagram: @rdcoppard.
Sky Dance Series by Amy Keller-Rempp
Launched in August 2024, Canadian and local Indigenous artist Amy Keller-Rempp brings her Sky Dance Series to YMM’s digital screens. Her pieces, “Landing on the Snye” and “Spirit of Wood Buffalo,” are already a part of the terminal’s YMM Art Collection (located in the Observation Area on Level 3) and her new YMM Digital Art Exhibit will feature additional works from the Sky Dance Series.
As the third artist announced for the 2024 YMM Digital Art Exhibit’s Connecting Cultures, Inspiring Journeys theme, Amy explains: “The Sky Dance Series encapsulates the profound connection between the landscapes and wildlife of the region and beauty of the northern lights. My initial encounter with the northern lights phenomenon upon relocating to Fort McMurray in 2008 ignited the creative spark that has since given rise to this celebrated collection.”
About the Artist
Amy Keller-Rempp is a Canadian artist with her Indigenous artwork sold across the country. Originally from Ontario, she resides in the Wood Buffalo region with her husband and three daughters. Her art is a fusion of traditional techniques and contemporary expressions.
To purchase Amy’s work and for updates, visit www.amykeller.com.
Unraveling the Mosaic by Lynel Baguio
Launched in May 2024, photographer Lynel Baguio’s Unraveling the Mosaic: Puzzling the Pieces of Our Region exhibition, is a collection of photo captured throughout Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. As the second artist announced for the 2024 YMM Digital Art Exhibit’s Connecting Cultures, Inspiring Journeys theme, Lynel explains he “felt compelled” to showcase Northern Alberta through his lens in the way he sees it, so others can see its beauty.
“Prior to coming to Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, I encountered various misconceptions about living in the region. I felt compelled to counter these stereotypes through my artwork, revealing the true beauty that exists here.”
Witnessing the Enchanting Dance of the Aurora Borealis
Winter’s Solitude: Contemplation by the Frozen Lake
Flight of Freedom: A Jetliner Soaring Amidst of Patriotic Flags
Embracing Sunset’s Serenade by the Lake
A Serene Reunion by the Lake
Embracing Peacefulness: Centered Within Nature’s Radiance
Solace and Connection with Nature in Winter’s Embrace: A Journey Across the Snow
Frozen Elegance: Crafting Beauty from IceAbout the Artist
Lynel Baguio is a third-year nursing student at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Originally from the Philippines, Baguio embarked on his photography journey after relocating to Calgary in 2010. In 2020, he made his way to Fort McMurray to pursue his studies in nursing.
Find more of Lynel’s photography on Instagram @lynelbaguio or visit lynelbaguio.myportfolio.com.
Ad Astra: To the Stars by Jon Tupper
Launched in February 2024, photographer Jon Tupper’s Ad Astra: To the Stars exhibition, is a collection of astrophography captured from his backyard in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. He translates his exhibit to the 2024 YMM Digital Art Exhibit’s Connecting Cultures, Inspiring Journeys theme as described below:
“The stars and cosmos have united humanity since we first lifted our eyes and began to wonder, “What is out there?” From the Bedoiun of the Arabian Peninsula to Cree, Dene and Metis people of our region, the stars have inspired legends, informed the seasons, and guided our journeys… the sky has always connected cultures.”
One trillion stars, 2.5 million light-years away.
Collision with Milky Way, 4.5 billion years.
Bubble Nebula – “Bubble” is hot ionized gas. Gas is moving at 4 million miles per hour
Elephant’s Trunk Nebula – Distance 2,400 light years from Earth. Gas forms stellar nursery forming new star.
Ghost Nebula – Called a Bok Globule. Molecular cloud undergoing gravitational collapse
Orion Nebula -Star-forming region. Cree call it Acakwuskwun -The Spirit Cloud where Kiskookuk travel. 
Heart Nebula – Emissions nebula 7,500 light years from Earth. Contains ionized hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen.
Horsehead Nebula – Located next to Alnitak in Orion. Constellation called Wesakechak by many Cree.
Bison Nebula- Region emits intense UV radiation from young stars. 
The Great Hercules Cluster – Earth sent a “Hello” signal to cluster in 1974.
Messier 78 – Discovered in 1780. Reflection nebula 1,350 light years from Earth. Part of a large molecular cloud in Orion.
About the Artist
Jon Tupper photography has been featured in Sky News Magazine, a publication of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, as well as Global News and CTV News. Jon also works part-time as a news writer for Harvard Media News, which broadcasts Play 103.7 and 100.5 Cruz FM.
When not out star-gazing, he often finds himself answering astronomy questions in inquiries through his Facebook group: Fort McMurray Amateur Astronomy.
Exhibition prints are available for purchase online. Visit the Jon Tupper Astrophotography website.
Living North by Crystal Mercredi
Launched in September 2023, award-winning photographer Crystal Mercredi’s Living North exhibition shows a diverse collection of people who call Northern Alberta home. From pilots to athletes, the exhibit features community residents in the way they experience Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, with the intent to promote regional pride.
Crystal’s exhibit was the inaugural launch of the YMM Digital Art Exhibit program, which followed with an artist call for 2024 YMM Digital Art Exhibit’s Connecting Cultures, Inspiring Journeys theme.
About the Artist
Crystal Mercredi is an eternal optimist with overwhelming gratitude for the people she has had the opportunity to connect with in life. She has a wonderful family heavily involved in the community.
Originally moving to Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo to teach, Crystal has since shifted her career into commercial photography after discovering a deep interest in encouraging entrepreneurial success.
To learn more about her work, visit her professional site at www.lifeandportraits.com.