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 

Free Gallery Space

A new group exhibit space has been created within McMurray Experience called Art in Motion. This gallery space is kinetic featuring a Ferris wheel style apparatus that rotates the art pieces. Artists will have their work exhibited within this rotating display case, and their information (didactic panel) shown on an electronic screen as their work rotates through the feature spot. They will also have the opportunity to sell their pieces to the public though their works will remain on display till the end of the exhibition. 

Art in Motion is currently looking for new submissions to their Fall Exhibition, Crisp, Oct. 1 to Jan. 8. From a freshly printed 50-dollar bill to a breath of fresh air in November the fall theme, Crisp, is deliberately ambitious to challenge artists to be creative and to think outside of the box. Express what “crisp” means to you, deadline for submissions is Sept. 18 and submissions are only accepted online via the online submission form. The exhibit has space for 12 pieces. Please visit www.rmwb.ca/artinmotion for more information and to submit your work.  If you have questions regarding A.I.M please contact Kizzie Sutton, kizzie.sutton@rmwb.ca, 780- 743-7984.

Call to Artists

Are you a local artist looking for a new avenue to showcase your work? The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has the space for you! Art in Motion is a new display space within the McMurray Experience — an indoor community space attached to Jubilee Plaza, set to open in June.

The gallery is dynamic and moving, with pieces of art rotating in a Ferris wheel-style platform. Exhibits will change seasonally with four themes each year. The first theme is the Year of Sport, celebrating the seven major sporting events taking place in Wood Buffalo this year, including the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games.

“We’re excited to have a new space for residents to showcase their art,” said Deanne Lawrence, Community Strategies Supervisor. “We encourage all artists to submit their interpretation of the Year of Sport theme.”

 Apply by May 28, 2015 for a chance to have your artwork displayed in the showcase for a four-month period. Submissions can range from visual arts, such as photography, drawing or painting, to three-dimensional pieces, and even sports memorabilia or artifacts.

A volunteer selection panel will review submissions, and the selected pieces will be on display until Sept. 30, 2015. The next theme will be announced in the coming months.

McMurray Experience is a hands-on space with something for everyone. Sign the digital guestbook and pinpoint your hometown on the globe, learn about our past on the Historical Timeline, or share your favourite moment in Wood Buffalo with us in the Share the Experience booth.

Find the application, guidelines and more details at rmwb.ca/artinmotion. Please contact Kizzie Sutton at 780-743-7984 or kizzie.sutton@rmwb.ca with any questions.

Parks Canada Expression of Interest

Parks Canada will be soliciting proposals for the development and creation of a permanent work of art to be installed in an outdoor location in the town of Jasper, Alberta. 

The artwork will reflect the past, present and future relationship of Aboriginal people and Jasper National Park as well as the interconnectedness between Aboriginal people and the Jasper landscape. 

Budget: $100,000.00 CAD (maximum, all inclusive) 
Please contact us no later than Friday, February 27, 2015 for further information on this project. 


Gregory Deagle 
Administrative Assistant, Aboriginal Liaison 
Jasper National Park of Canada / Parks Canada
P.O. Box 10, Jasper AB T0E 1E0 
Greg.Deagle@pc.gc.ca   Telephone 780 820 2118 / Fax 780 852 5601  

www.pc.gc.ca/PublicArt






Read more at http://www.affta.ab.ca/Arts-In-Alberta/Arts-Opportunities/Parks-Canada-Expression-of-Interest

Call to Local Artists - The Miquwahkesis Project

To see the complete Call to Artists for the Miquwahkesis Project, please click here

Open Call for Alberta Artists and Curators

OPEN CALL: ISCP RESIDENCY FOR ALBERTA ARTISTS AND CURATORS 

The International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in Brooklyn, New York announces an open call to apply for a residency for artists and curators from the province of Alberta. 

ISCP is a leading nonprofit, residency-based contemporary art institution for emerging to mid-career artists and curators from around the world, including the United States. With 30+ artists and curators in residence at all times, the program provides residents with the space, time, and support to develop new projects. With additional activities tailored for professional development and public engagement, ISCP serves as an important platform for producing, presenting and contextualizing contemporary art through a diverse range of international perspectives. ISCP’s public programs encourage dialogue and integrate residents into the cultural landscape of New York City. The residency includes 24-hour access to a private 350 sq. ft. furnished studio space, regular studio visits from Visiting Critics; Field Trips to museums, galleries and other cultural venues; and participation in Artist Talks and Open Studios. Residents at ISCP are also invited to take part in ISCP’s Exhibition Program and Participatory Projects.   

To apply by “direct application”, please visit http://www.iscp-nyc.org/apply/application.html. 

Applications are accepted by email only. 

About ISCP: Founded with one sponsored studio in 1994, ISCP has grown into an internationally recognized institution that has hosted over 2,000 artists and curators from 64 countries. In 2008, ISCP moved from Manhattan to East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to an 18,000 square-foot former factory. This move expanded ISCP’s facilities to 35 studios, an exhibition gallery and a project space. 

Read more at http://www.affta.ab.ca/Arts-In-Alberta/Arts-Opportunities/Open-Call-iscp-residency-for--Alberta-artists-and-curators

Call for Artists for Art in the Park- Canada Day Celebrations

Call for Artists for Art in the Park-Canada Day Celebrations!

Outdoor tents will accommodate artist demonstrations and sales, hand crafters and art workshops. Tentative hours are  from 11 am to 3 pm, on Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Please contact lucie.bause@onerec.ca if you are interested in booking a table and being part of this fun-filled outdoor community celebration!

Call to Indigenous Canadian Artists- 4 Public Art Installations & Walking Trail

For more information about this public art opportunity, please contact publicart@onerec.ca

Call to Indigenous Local Artists!

For more information about this opportunity, please contact publicart@onerec.ca

Calling all Artists! RBC Canadian Painting Competition

Established in 1999, the RBC Canadian Painting Competition, with the support of the Canadian Art Foundation, is a unique initiative to help nurture and support promising new artists in the early stages of their careers; a time when they need both recognition and financial support.

A regional jury panel of distinguished members from the arts community select five paintings from their regions as follows: Eastern (Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador), Central (Ontario), Western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut).

The three jury panels then select one national winner and two honourable mentions from the 15 semi-finalists. The national winner receives a purchase prize of $25,000 and the two honourable mentions each receive $15,000.

The winner’s painting will be added to RBC’s Canadian art collection, which features more than 4,000 works collected over the past hundred years. The collection includes original works of art by well-known and emerging Canadian artists, as well as distinguished artists from across the U.S. The collection also includes works by previous RBC Canadian Painting Competition winners and finalists.

For more information about this competition, including submission details, please visit rbc.com/paintingcompetition.

Looking for Something Fun to Do?

If you want to keep in the know about what's going on around town, then check out Culture Calls, an electronic newsletter that is sent out weekly on Thursday afternoons.

It showcases local art exhibitions, events, concerts, job postings, as well as volunteer and funding opportunities, and much more.

If you would like to have your email added or removed from this list, or would like to add information about an upcoming opportunity please send your request to recreationandculture@woodbuffalo.ab.ca 

To find out what's going on this weekend, please visit the Culture Calls page on the Municipal website or click here. 

Artist in Residency 2014- Call to Artists

For more information please visit www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/artist