2016 Artist in Residency

The Wood Buffalo Artist in Residency (AIR) program commenced on July 18th and will run for six weeks.  Mentoring artists Alma Louise Visscher and Kritsana Naowakhun and 10 local artists have made studio space at Keyano College their home.  This year’s mentors will be hosting free workshops throughout the Region for the next month.   These workshops are open to all ages and abilities; children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.  Please visit the AIR website for more information on the program, and to register for workshops. 

 www.rmwb.ca/air

The next workshop will be held in Fort McMurray on Tuesday August 2nd, at the Casman Centre from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.  It will be hosted by Kritsana Naowakhun, and focus on Mixed Media.  Hope to see you there.

GRAFFITI ABATEMENT MURAL PROGRAM 2016

The Bob Lamb Bandstand at Borealis Park will be featured as the host location of the Graffiti Abatement Mural Program (GAMP) this year.  The program was launched in 2012, and aims at exploring urban art in a legal and respectful way and while deterring graffiti. To date, there are 4 murals around the urban service centre of Fort McMurray.  

The 2016 Call for Artist is posted here: www.rmwb.ca/murals

Previous murals include:

The 2012 mural was installed behind Composite High School, by artist Wil Yee (with the help of Composite High students)

The 2013 mural was painted by Toronto artist Uber5000, at Father Turcotte O.M.I School

The 2014 mural was painted by Daniel Kirk and Ivan Ostapenko, it is located on the Beacon Hill pump house.

The 2014 mural was painted by Daniel Kirk and Ivan Ostapenko, it is located at Lions Park.

Artist Daniel J. Kirk States “There are different intents behind different acts of expression, some are rooted in creative forces rather than destructive forces. And, for me, I try to find within myself the ability to create instead of destroy.” While being interviewed during the installation of the 2015 mural at Lions Park.

It’s the creative forces that the RMWB wants to foster in its citizens and residents. The 2016 Graffiti Abatement Mural Program will feature a new Mural & Mentorship Project.  This new project offers a local emerging artist the opportunity to build their portfolio and provides peer learning.  For more details on this program or to view the 2016 Call for Artist – Mentor please check out the RMWB’s Graffiti Abatement Program webpage at www.rmwb.ca/mural  For more information on the Mentee Program, or to view the 2016 Call for Artist – Mentee please visit the Arts Council Wood Buffalo website at http://www.artscouncilwb.ca/call-mentee-applications-graffiti-abatement-mural-mentorship-program/.