Calgary Gay History

The Calgary Gay History Project is heartbroken to learn about the passing of Mike Hooves. We wanted to honour them as a peer, a friend, and as someone who has made a massive impact on the city’s arts and culture scene, and queer and trans communities. They are incredibly loved, and deeply missed. 

Mike Hooves was a beloved local artist, a cherished family member and friend, and a remarkable force in their communities. A well-known figure in the public arts, drag scene, and queer and trans community, their welcoming and kind nature, bold sense of style, and fiercely unapologetic personality lit up rooms, and empowered those around them.

In the weeks since their passing, I’ve heard many people exclaim just how much their presence made an impact. Even if you didn’t know Mike personally, you may have encountered them on the dance floors of queer parties and music events, or been moved by their magnetic stage presence and sensational sense of style. And even if none of this rings true, you’ve almost certainly experienced their art. 

With an impressive breadth of work spanning film, programming, illustration, public art, and drag performance, their work resisted categorization and touched many. Their style was bold, playful, and instantly recognisable. From distinct design work often featuring bubbly bodies and local birds, to vibrant murals that both adorn indoor walls and scale the facades of local buildings; Mike is everywhere in this city.

As a muralist, they painted the walls of the palimpshed, AUArts, Hello Vintage, and many more in collaboration with local businesses and community groups. They created a number of works for BUMP Festival Arts Society, with whom Mike was heavily involved as both a muralist and juror. BUMP recently hosted the event A Life Across Disciplines: Celebrating Mike Hooves in honour of their legacy and lasting impact. 

Being trans and non-binary informed much of their work, which they frequently used to advocate for the livelihood and provide resources to trans people. This took shape in the form of stickers, posters, printed textiles, and their 2022 exhibition Trans Is A Flower.

Left to Right: Protect Trans Youth sticker design (2024), Knifewear X Mike Hooves: Fabulous and FIERCE Tea Towel (2025), Trans is a Flower (2022) design from an exhibition presented at Kaffeeklatsch.

They even designed the logo for local queer events collective Pansy Club (whose namesake is the historic Calgary-based group).

Mike’s generous spirit manifested in many forms queer storytelling. Upon their initial cancer diagnosis in 2023, Mike began writing and illustrating the webcomic, Enby Breast Cancer, stemming from a desire to share their experience as a non-binary person with breast cancer, and to help other people feel less alone. Created throughout the process of their treatments, these pink panels describe the immensely difficult process of navigating the healthcare system, also touching on the complexities of surgery, physical nature of hair loss and tattoos, as well as the compassion and love they felt amidst this experience. While highly personal, this project has been a touchpoint of connection for other trans and non-binary people enduring cancer treatment. 

Mike’s outspoken and kind nature deeply informed the work of organisations such as Queering Cancer and Wellspring Alberta. Both organisations who through research, events, and advocacy, worked to provide community and support for Mike, their loved ones, as well as other trans and non-binary people with cancer. 

A large part of Mike’s artistic journey took place on stage, performing as their drag persona Mx. Jendr. Seeing Mike perform was always such a special experience. Combining leopard print, glitter, and swaths of red chest hair, with an artistry that honoured the likes of Sasha Velour and Divine, Mx. Jendr was sensual, earnest, bizarre, filthy, and completely wonderful. Bringing their unapologetic fierceness to the stage, Mike had an energy unlike anyone else’s. 

Their passion for performing and love of this art form led to the creation of Drag Sings. Alongside collaborator Kenna Burima, these shows featured local artists melding live music with drag in a powerful celebration of queer and trans voices.

Mike’s passion for drag and deep involvement in queer artistic culture inspired all kinds of their creative work. Their most recent exhibition Rhinestone Cowfolx, is an installation that encourages prairie queers from this “stampede city,” to step into the limelight. The show is one of several collaborations between Mike Hooves and local videographer and musician Bryce Maruk, Mike’s wife and partner of ten years. 

Surrounded by prints, leather chaps, and bandanas that ‘flag” the trans pride colours, the central figure of the exhibition is a mannequin head donning drag makeup, and a rhinestone mirrored cowboy hat. Spinning slowly, the spotlight hits the brim, reflecting shimmering lights amidst a lingering magenta glow.

If you haven’t already had a chance to visit, this exhibition is being shown in The Werklund Centre’s +15 Galleries, alongside several local artists curated by the Calgary Queer Arts Society, through October 2026. A memorial table has been set up beside the show, where folks have left photos, notes, and flowers.

Mike was an incredible human being, and someone who I feel lucky to have known. Their artistry, confidence, humour, and kindness made them a deeply meaningful part of every community they touched. On a personal level, Mike is someone who comes to mind instantly when I think about how I want to show up as a performer, an artist, on the dance floor, and most importantly, as a friend.

In an announcement and written tribute to Mike, loved ones ask that “in Mike’s spirit of generosity, please consider donating to the organizations that Mike held dearest, including Young Adult Cancer Canada, Queering Cancer, Wellspring Alberta and Skipping Stone.”

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