In her art, Dana prefers to express  emotions rather than things…

Her work also found at the Art In Nature walk along the Bow River in Banff from 1 July to 30 September, 2025.

"I like the rocks and views from the top." For artist Dana Roman, these words are not merely an aesthetic preference; they are a testament to endurance. At a time when many slow their pace, Dana continues to undertake tremendous hikes, scrambles, and climbs throughout the Bow Valley to reach those precise vantage points. She seeks out the raw geometry of the mountains, capturing the overwhelming beauty that inspires her drawings.

Her process is rigorous. Drawing directly from her own photographs and rapid field sketches, she renders the mountains with intricate detail. Whether working in abstraction, semi-abstract forms, or realism, Dana believes her work serves as visual poetry, intended to affect the senses and stir the emotions of the viewer.

“I like the rocks and views from the top…”

Dana’s approach to art is deeply informed by her diverse professional history. She holds a Master's degree in Architecture from Prague, Czech Republic, and spent a decade working in architectural firms in both Prague and Toronto. This foundation in structure provides a unique lens through which she views the natural world.

Following this period, she dedicated twenty years (1977–1997) to running a successful textile art workshop specializing in hand-painted silk. Her collections were sold extensively in the wholesale marketplace, refining her understanding of colour, texture, and composition. Since relocating to Canmore in 1997, she has transitioned fully into studio art, working with acrylics, mixed media, and textiles.

Continued learning is important to the artist, she has studied at the Ontario College of Art, Alberta College of Art, and the Vancouver Island School of Art, alongside international textile tours of Japan and numerous conferences with the Surface Design Association.

Beyond the canvas, Dana is well-known in the local arts community. She is an enthusiastic volunteer who has served as the past president of the Canmore Art Guild and acted as Gallery Director on several occasions. Her commitment to civic engagement is evident in her service on juries for multiple public art competitions across Alberta.

Her contributions have been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally. Among her many accolades is the Canmore Mayor's Spotlight on the Arts Award, received in 2011. Dana's work is permanently featured in Canmore, highlighted by her prominent triptych displayed in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall.

Through her art and her actions, Dana Roman embodies a spirit of collaboration and dedication, proving that the climb to the top is both a physical journey and a lifelong creative pursuit.