Wednesday 20 April 2016

Open Call for Individual and Group Artworks



The MacDonald Island Community Art Gallery presented by Kirschner Family Corporation in collaboration with Wood Buffalo Communities in Bloom will be hosting a collective exhibition entitled In Bloom, open to the public from July 25th through to August 19th, 2016. For this exhibition the gallery will be accepting individual art submissions and group proposals.

The “In Bloom” exhibition coincides with the Communities in Bloom’s annual competition and artists are encouraged to be inspired by the CiB program’s judging criteria in their own visual interpretation and express what beautification means to them. Examples include floral, landscapes and heritage. We are also accepting three dimensional artwork for this exhibition. They must fit within our new gallery display cases. 

Group submission proposals are due May 29th at 4:00pm, giving the successful group a month and a half to complete the artwork. Individual artists submissions of up to 3 finished artworks are due June 26th at 4:00pm.

For more information please visit our WEDSITE or contact Christina Beckman, Arts Exhibit Coordinator, Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo, P: 780-791-0070, ext. 5043, christina.beckman@ONErec.ca.

AIR 2016 - Art is a Way of Life!


Art is a way of life. You may work in an office, on site, or be a student but inside you see the world differently. For you the world is brighter, shapes interest you, colours have feelings. You love to work with your hands. You think in pictures and the urge to express these images is overwhelming. If this describes you then you need to apply today to the Artist in Residency program. You are an artist and you deserve a place to be who you are. No matter what your career is you are first an artist and art is your way of experiencing the world.


Let Your Light Shine!


The Artist in Residency program offers local emerging artists 16+ FREE studio space at the Keyano Theatre and Art Centre, a modest budget for art supplies, FREE mentorship, and FREE exhibition space at the MacDonald Island Community Gallery presented by the Kirschner Family Corporation where artists can display and SELL their art with NO associated fees.




AIR is split into two mentorship programs 6 applicants will be selected into each program. Program one, May 30 – July 8, will be instructed by Kritsana Naowakhun a professional artist who works in sculpting and painting. Program two, July 18 – August 26, will be instructed by Alma Visscher a professional artist who works primarily in fabric arts and sculpture. Local artists can apply to one or both programs. For more information on how to apply please visit www.rmwb.ca/air or contact Michael Beamish, michael.beamish@rmwb.ca, 780-788-1498.




Friday 15 April 2016

The AIR Studio-Do What You Love this Summer!

Welcome to the AIR Studio.   


One of the greatest features of the AIR program is the FREE studio space at the Keyano Theatre and Art Centre.


This beautiful, open, space allows artists to shed the stress of their daily lives. It is a place to breath, relax, and explore your creative side while meeting like-minded people who will not only inspire your creativity but will hopefully become your life-long friends.





The mentors will encourage your creativity inspiring you to grow as an artist while teaching 
you new techniques and skills. Not only that they will give you the knowledge to grow your career as an artist helping you to discover your greatest dream. This program is not only a lovely way to spend your summer but it could also be the start of a new chapter in your life.






Apply Today!


The Artist in Residency program offers local emerging artists FREE studio space at the Keyano Theatre and Art Centre, a modest budget for art supplies, FREE mentorship, and FREE exhibition space at the MacDonald Island Community Gallery presented by the Kirschner Family Corporation where artists can display and SELL their artwork with NO associated fees.







AIR is split into two mentorship programs 6 applicants will be selected into each program. Program one, May 30 – July 8, will be instructed by Kritsana Naowakhun a professional artist who works in sculpture and painting.











Program two, July 18 – August 26, will be instructed by Alma Visscher a professional artist who works primarily in fabric arts and sculpture. Local artists can apply to one or both programs. For more information on how to apply please visit www.rmwb.ca/air or contact Michael Beamish, michael.beamish@rmwb.ca, 780-788-1498.


Art Trip to Edmonton


Art Trip to Edmonton

Date: May 13 – 14, 2016$190
Make a trip to Edmonton for a weekend of special programming at the Art Gallery of Alberta. This art-lovers bus trip will arrive in Edmonton on Friday afternoon with the option to attend our Art on the Block fundraiser and silent auction. The following day participate in a deliciously decadent Brunch at Zinc, a private gallery tour and a hands-on class before returning to Fort McMurray. Please see full itinerary below.
Included in the ticket price:
  • Return bus ticket from Fort McMurray to Edmonton
  • Private AGA Tour
  • Brunch at Zinc Restaurant www.zincrestaurant.ca/
  • Art Studio Class
Additional Add Ons:
Please note participants must be 18+
To book your spot on the tour and tickets to Art on the Block please call the AGA’s front desk at 780-392-2500 x 0.

Itinerary

May 13, 2016

10AM: Pick up in Fort McMurray at Suncor Community Leisure Centre,
MacDonald Island Park 1 C.A Knight Way, Fort McMurray
3PM:  Arrival in Edmonton at the Sutton Place Hotel 10235 101 Street, Edmonton
7PM: Attend Art on the Block at the AGA
OR Free time in Edmonton

May 14, 2016

11AM: Private AGA Tour
12:30PM: Brunch at Zinc
1:30PM: Art Studio
4PM: Bus picks up at AGA to return to Fort McMurray, Suncor Community Leisure Centre

Contact:

Suncor Community Leisure Centre –  Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo
Ana Maria Mendez
Anamaria.Mendez@onerec.ca
Art Gallery of Alberta
Meaghan Froh
Meaghan.froh@youraga.ca
- See more at: www.youraga.ca/aga-art-bus


Tuesday 12 April 2016

'80s Roller Disco Night

'80s Roller Disco Night

Join us for Roller Disco '80s Night!  Dress up in your best '80s fashion and come roller skate/blade with us!  All ages welcome!

When: April 15, 2016 @ 7-9pm
Where: Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre
Tickets: $5 at the door
Inline or Quad rentals: $2 (limited available, highly recommend to bring/borrow your own)
Helmets/gear are not mandatory by highly recommended.

Want to be a roller derby member and not sure what it entails?
  • Arrive at 7pm for a free 15 min skate lesson!
  • Meet and skate with us!
  • Ask us derby questions, we love it!
  • Obtain information on Fresh Meat and Junior programs starting in August and September respectively!
  • Skate/dance your heart out!


Hungry or thirsty? A variety of baked goods, chips, and beverages will be available for purchase!

More information on the Tar Sand Betties Roller Derby team can be found at www.tarsandbetties.com or check us out on Facebook


Friday 8 April 2016

Volunteer Opportunities and Upcoming Events with the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo


Here is some information on Volunteer Opportunities and Upcoming Events with the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo.

Community Block Party, April 16, 2016 1:00pm – 4:00pm: The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo (MCA) cordially invites you to the Community Block Party held at the Jubilee Plaza (9909 Franklin Ave, Fort McMurray AB T9H 2K4). This event is put on by the MCA in partnership with McMurray Experience and Full Circle from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Expect to see multicultural foods, performances, door prizes, and whole lot of family friendly fun!

Volunteer Positions available:
    
MCA Ambassador:
  1. Welcome guests to the event
  2. Door prize tickets: people can fill out their information on tickets for a chance to win free tickets to Multicultural Cookery for month of May and June. Winners will be announced every hour
  3. Count attendance using clickers
  4. Inform people of the programs and different events the MCA puts on throughout the year

Shifts 1: 12:30pm – 2:30pm, 3 volunteers
Shifts 2: 2:00pm – 4:00pm, 3 volunteers
    
Photo Booth Assistant
  1. Explain to participants about the use of the photo booth.
  2. Tell people who pass by to have some fun and use it!
  3. It is completely free – pictures are printed instantly

Shifts 1: 12:30pm – 2:30pm, 1 volunteers
Shifts 2: 2:00pm – 4:00pm, 1 volunteers


Upcoming Events:

Timeraiser: April 12, 2016

Timeraiser is a volunteer matching fair, silent art auction and a night out on the town. The big twist, rather than bid money on local artwork, participants bid volunteer hours.

Over 3700 volunteer hours were raised last year!

Date: April 14, 2016
Time: 6:30 – 9:00pm
Location: Macdonald Island Community Art Gallery

Metis Festival: May 25, 2016

Email Rodas Asres at events@multiculturefm.org to schedule a volunteer shift or for more information on any of the events.

Thursday 7 April 2016

Meet the AIR Mentoring Artists


On Tuesday the call to local emerging artists for the 2016 Wood Buffalo Artist in Residency program was released. The call invites local artists aged sixteen years and older to apply to two mentorship programs:
Program 1: May 30, 2016-July 8, 2016
Program 2: July 18, 2016-August 26, 2016
Up to six applicants will be accepted into each of the two six week programs. Local applicants have a choice as to which program they would like to apply for or they can apply to both. Successful applicants will receive: Access to studio space at the Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre, full mentorship opportunities, a modest budget set forth by the Municipality for art supplies, and their work publically exhibited at the MacDonald Island Community Gallery presented by the Kirschner Family Corporation. The call will end on April 29, for more information please visit www.rmwb.ca/air

Meet the Mentoring Artists

Kritsana Naowakhun
The first mentorship program will be instructed by Kritsana Naowakhun. Born and raised in Bangkok Thailand, Kritsana’s first impressions about art came from his grandfather, a painter for Buddhist temples in mainland China. From a young age Kritsana always enjoyed painting, drawing and sculpting, and had big dreams of being an artist. Being accepted into the most prestigious fine art university in Thailand, Silpakorn University, Kritsana studied all different forms of media but chose to focus on sculpture. During that time, he was involved in many group shows all over Thailand and was accepted in the 52nd National Exhibition for his sculpture thesis project. Upon graduation Kritsana continued to create works, but his main profession was creating intricate window designs for high-end fashion designers all over Thailand. Since arriving in Canada in 2011, Kritsana has dedicated himself fulltime to purse his dreams of creating and inspiring others through visual art. He has had many group and solo exhibitions in Ontario and now here in Fort McMurray at MacDonald Island Community Art Gallery and Keyano Art Gallery. Kritsana is currently teaching art classes for children, youth and adults at the Suncor Centre for the Performing Arts and offering special workshops for adults at MacDonald Island Park. He is truly grateful for the opportunity to spread his knowledge and skills with this community.






Alma Louise Visscher
The second mentorship program will be instructed by Alma Louise Visscher. Alma is an artist based in Edmonton, working in textiles, installation and video whose actions and built environments are inserted into the landscape. Her work is influenced by sail and kite making, medieval philosophies, architecture and cloud formations. Most recently, her research has centered around intermediary spaces, surface architecture and archaic forms/structures. After receiving her MFA from the University of Alberta in 2011 she has exhibited in malls, closets, abandoned schools and city parks. In 2012 she was commissioned by the Edmonton Arts Council to create a temporary public art installation in Whitemud Park. Other recent projects include a residency at the Icelandic Textile Center (funded by the Edmonton Artist Council), a solo show at the Art Gallery of Alberta in the RBC New Works Gallery, and an installation for the 2015 Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art.










For more information about the Artist in Residency Program please visit our website www.rmwb.ca/air or contact Michael Beamish, michael.beamish@rmwb.ca, (780) 788-1498 

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Local Artists Wanted!






Kritsana Naowakhun and Alma Louise Visscher have been selected as the two mentoring artists for the 2016 Artist in Residency (AIR) program.

 “The program has expanded its focus to include a mentoring element to help inspire and grow the skills of local emerging artists,” said coordinator Michael Beamish. “The mentorship will culminate with a final exhibition at the MacDonald Island Community Art Gallery presented by the Kirchner Family Corporation.”

Local artists can apply to one or both of the available mentorship sessions. In addition to receiving mentorship from a recognized artist, successful applicants will have access to free studio space at the Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre, art supplies and the opportunity to have their work displayed during the final exhibition.

Applications for the AIR mentorship program must be received by 4 p.m. MST on April 29, 2016. For more information, please visit www.rmwb.ca/AIR.


The 5th Annual Timeraiser presented by Suncor and Shell



Hello Artists & Art Enthusiasts,

It’s that time of year again! The artworks have been chosen and are ready to be installed…. The 5th Annual Timeraiser presented by Suncor and Shell will be ready for viewing Monday April 4th to April 29th, 2016 at the MacDonald Island Community Art Gallery presented by the Kirschner Family Corporation! Please join us, along with FuseSocial for the opening reception and silent auction event which will take place on April 14th, from 6:30pm – 9pm, event ticket required. As a reminder the opening and event will take place on the second Thursday of April in celebration of volunteer week, April 10th – April 16th.

What is the Timeraiser Silent Auction? Timeraiser is a volunteer matching fair and a silent art auction with a twist. Rather than bid money, participants bid volunteer hours to obtain artwork that has been purchased by FuseSocial from local artists. During the event there will be roughly 20 organizations on-site with information booths for guests to mingle and get to know more about these organizations, the services they provide and their community involvement. There will be a cash bar and an assortment of appetizers will be provided.

For more information please visit: http://fusesocial.ca/ If you’d like to purchase tickets for the Timeraiser Opening Reception & Silent Auction Event please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/5th-wood-buffalo-timeraiser-presented-by-tickets-19612075245