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 will provides a unique opportunity for artists to showcase their talent to a large and diverse audience of travellers from around the world.
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.
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.