art

A person holds colourful glass ornaments in their hands.

New social enterprise is providing a sense of belonging to A Better Tent City residents

December 20, 2024 by Cora Kuehl

The community-based non-profit, A Better Tent City (ABTC) has launched an art-therapy program and social enterprise with the help of The Community Company, called Tiny City Makers. This program offers the residents of ABTC the opportunity to create art and sell it to consumers online. This program has been in the works for just over a year, and now in the holiday season they were ready to launch.

Tiny City Makers worked with the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery to design both clay and glass ornaments. These ornaments along with holiday cards are available for purchase on their website or directly at The Clay and Glass Gallery. The money made from selling the artwork will go directly back to ABTC, in supporting them with food, and shelter for the residents.

Artist Sheryl Crowley standing in the Saint John City Market atrium, with a small selection of colourful disks displayed above her, produced by members of the community as a part of the Our True Selves project.

New art exhibit expresses community members’ sense of their authentic selves

November 19, 2024 by Iona Coe

Saturday, November 16th saw the unveiling of a community-based art project entitled “Our True Selves” at the Saint John City Market. The project was initiated by Saint John artist, Sheryl Crowley, in partnership with local 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and support organization, ChromaNB. It involved members of the community creating art pieces on small wooden disks, to express who they felt their authentic selves to be.

Crowley spoke with Local 107.3FM about undertaking the project, which took place in a number of locations across the city over the summer, and how it was received by the community members who got involved.

The exhibit will remain on display in the atrium of the City Market for the next few weeks. Crowley’s own works can also be seen in the City Market’s Uncorked Tours until the first week of December.

five children around a table using paintbrushes to paint on balloons as part of an art project.

Town takes back art space for office space

November 8, 2024 by Pamela Haasen

The Smithers Art Gallery received a letter last month from the town stating that that their lease would not be renewed because the town needed the space for 8 offices for town staff.

The small, one storey building at 3866 Railway Avenue in Smithers, BC is a town-owned building that has been animated by the Smithers Art Gallery since 2017. When the Art Gallery leased the building from the municipality, they needed it as a space to hold art classes and day camps. They received such a warm response from the community who were appreciative to have more art classes as well as programming for kids, which Nicole Chernish, the Director of Smithers Art Gallery told CICK News was much needed.

“When you look [at childcare] in 2017, we didn’t have any programming after school for children, or weekends, or any other time. And now, this year, we have 13 after school programs, weekend programs, 14 summer camps, and 2 spring break camps.”

CICK News talks to the Gallery Director and the Mayor about the decision.

A woman in blue stands next to a large painting of a forest scene on an eisle.

MRC Pontiac unveils latest addition to regional art gallery

September 13, 2024 by Caleb Nickerson

On Wednesday, September 11, MRC Pontiac unveiled the latest painting to grace the walls of the MRC office in Campbell’s Bay, as part of its regional gallery.

Michèle Parent, who paints under the name AimPée, has been a resident of Fort-Coulonge for the last two years after moving from Chateauguay. She said that she studied art when she was younger and even travelled to France for six months to study with well-known painter Thierry Vaubourgoin.

She said her piece, entitled “Pèlerinage d’enracinement Pontissois”, was the first large-scale painting she’s created since moving to the Pontiac. It took about three weeks to complete. She said that one of the inspirations for the piece were the forests of the Pontiac, which took her back to her childhood.

A painted self-portrait of a woman, The perspective is a head shot, painted in broad brush strokes in browns, dark purples and reds.

Artist Bernice Sorge looks to connect on a personal level with solo exhibition “Unclassifiable”

August 20, 2024 by Taylor McClure

With a career spanning 50 years, Eastern Townships artist Bernice Sorge is giving people insights into her artistic journey with her solo exhibition “Unclassifiable.”

Hosted at the Bruck Museum, Sorge told CIDI that she had no particular direction for the exhibition, but after diving into the archives of her work with curator Mireille Brisset – rather than creating new pieces- it slowly unfolded into what she described as a “memoir.”

Highly known for her botanical prints, Sorge explained that the pieces included in the exhibition were chosen because they “make sense together” in one way or another, whether it be the colours or the themes that are explored.

She noted that while these pieces all represent something for her as an artist, she wants visitors of the exhibition to discover “their many layers of meaning” and how the pieces may relate to their own life experiences or emotions.

An older women is standing in front of windows inside a classroom. She is wearing pink glasses that match her chin length pink hair. She is wearing a purple sweater under a white apron. She is currently demonstrating printmaking. She is mid pealing off a pink piece of paper from a thin block. On the pink piece of paper, a black smiley face is seen printed on it

Nanaimo Art Gallery raises money for Artists in the Schools program following deficit

July 24, 2024 by Lauryn Mackenzie

After teaching over 2,000 students through the Artists in the Schools program, the Nanaimo Art Gallery is raising money to pay off a $5,000 deficit.

The Artists in the Schools program brings professional artists into classrooms to teach students. The artists teach various disciplines including art, dance, music and theatre.

CHLY spoke to Aisha Hamis, director of engagement and learning at the art gallery. She said the program offers several learning opportunities for students. She said because the program is offered at a reduced rate it has led to an average deficit of $5,000. A deficit they are now having to fundraise to pay off.

CHLY also spoke with Mary Anne Molcan, a printmaker who has been taking part in the program for about four years.

The Nanaimo Art Gallery is taking one-time or recurring monthly donations on its website.

A young girl painting on a large canvas with bright colors.

Young artist back for a second year showcase at Skeena Salmon Art Festival

July 23, 2024 by Sabrina Spencer

Jola Willoner, a local 11-year-old artist, is participating once again in the seventh annual Skeena Salmon Art Festival.

Jola says she began exploring art seriously two years ago, developing a distinctive style featuring wavy mountains. She enjoys using acrylics on canvas for their ease of use and ability to blend colors effectively.

This year marks her second appearance at the festival, where she finds joy in sharing her work with the community, including friends and family. Jola’s artwork can be viewed at the Terrace Library’s art gallery during the festival.

CFNR has more on the story.

A man and a woman stand in a room with art on the walls. They are holding a colourful painting. The man on the left has salt and pepper hair with tinted glasses. The woman on the right has long blond hair.

Gallery 244’s Carnival showcases creative community

June 6, 2024 by Rick Conrad

Sue and Chres Jensen moved to Nova Scotia from Alberta three years ago. Since then, they’ve carved out a distinctive space for the creative community at their gallery in Brooklyn.

They are the owners of an art gallery, Gallery 244, just outside Liverpool, and they are bringing together creative types of all kinds for an event they’re calling Carnival on Saturday.

The couple – Sue is a musician, Chres is a visual artist – wanted the event to be as individual as their gallery and the other artists they’ve met.

They opened the gallery a couple of years ago, turning a building that used to be a gas station into a space that now features work from half a dozen local artists. It also has a cozy music room in the old service station’s attached garage.

The free event at Gallery 244 will showcase art, music, poetry, henna body art, laser engraving, hula hooping and even some osteopathy.

Several kids look up to the sky in a school field to watch home-made balloons take flight.

New principal says community-oriented goals are taking shape

April 29, 2024 by Loni Taylor

When Michael Datura became the new principal for Cortes Island School, one of his main mandates was to make the school more “community-oriented” and welcoming. With a new volunteer-led science program, extra-curricular lunch program, and plans for a public science fair, the principal believes his goals are in sight as the school-year approaches its last month in session.

Home-school parent and science enthusiast Cora Moret has spearheaded a new science program run by her and Rex Weyler. Volunteer community members have also joined the students in experiments with flight, electricity and astronomy.

The school is also offering opportunities to community members to host 30 minute programming at lunchtime like art crafts and chess games.

Datura is planning a science fair in June to conclude the school year, something the island has not hosted in recent years.

Listen to the CKTZ News Update.

A row of new small illustrated plant signs are laying ready to install.

School academy focuses on art and climate next semester

March 19, 2024 by Loni Taylor

Principal Michael Datura is looking to the next curriculum for Cortes Island Academy (CIA) and says that climate and art will be a central focus for the school’s third year, the 2024-25 semester.

“Climate and art as to the interface between the arts and climate change,” Datura added.

Datura reflected on the past semester, which culminated with a showcase at the end of January, noting the biodiversity project, where students created local forage-guidebooks for things like edible berries, mushrooms, and lichens.

Listen to the CKTZ News Update about CIA.

A woman in a stripped shirt knits, while other people in the room sit further away at tables.

“Everyone is welcome,” new weekly event offers space to be creative

March 7, 2024 by Tori Weldon

A new Sunday afternoon event called the Connections Lab, is giving people a space to work on creative projects in a warm, welcoming place.

“These are grey days,” said organizer Alana Morouney. “We wanted to have a space where people can feel creative and feel like they can do things that has few barriers.”

About 20 people showed up, including a table full of children. Participants brought knitting, made water colour paintings, and drawings.

“So when you come in today you don’t have to pay for anything, you don’t have to buy a cup of coffee on your way in. It’s free,” continued Morouney.

Connection Lab will take place at the Sackville Commons, every Sunday during the month of March from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

Man standing infront of a painting of elongated figures, hung on a white wall

Exposición de Arte en Mississauga: Mario Ángel, Tras las Huellas de un Maestro Colombiano

March 1, 2024 by Paula Videla-Rodriguez

Desde el 10 de febrero al 27 de abril, el Centro y Museo Latinoamericano de Mississauga, alojado en la Galería Pazan en Port Credit, presenta las obras del ilustre y consumado artista Colombiano, Mario Ángel. A través de nuestra entrevista en la recepción de apertura, Mario nos lleva en un viaje de lucha, perseverancia y auto-descubrimiento, durante el cual encontró su voz sobre el lienzo, su estilo artístico único, exhibido aquí en su obra temática “Conspiración Cósmica.”