art of the Peace | Issue #23 by imageDESIGN

A PUBLICATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTIST

FALL 2014

ISSUE 23

Kiren Niki Sangra BITS AND BOBS OF BRILLIANCE

INSPIRATION IN VENICE

GRIFFITH AARON BAKER

THREE STUDIO VISITS

THE CENTRE FOR

CREATIVE ARTS At the Centre

Classes for all ages and levels Monthly gallery exhibitions Gift Shop featuring local artists Birthday parties School and group bookings Drop in studio use

Calls for Entries Gallery Exhibition Opportunities Are you a Peace Country artist looking for the opportunity to show your latest collection of work? The Centre’s Wall Gallery has several openings in the 2015 lineup. Please contact the Centre for details. CFCA Group Show: Art Dolls Art Dolls is the theme for our next group show. We are looking for dolls created by Peace Country artists. Art dolls are display pieces that are usually humanoid and/or anthropomorphic in nature. Please e-mail an image of your submissions to knsangra@creativecentre.ca by October 17. Show runs from Nov. 7- 28. CFCA Christmas Show and Sale Interested in selling your work this holiday season? Contact the Centre for information on how you can take part.

Upcoming Exhibitions October 3 - 31 Reception: 7pm on October 3 The Centre Gallery Patricia Peters and Kathy Stafford The Wall Gallery Tammy Baduk November 7 - 28 Reception: 7pm on November 7 The Centre Gallery Sara MacIntyre The Wall Gallery CFCA Group Show “Art Dolls” December 5 - 19 Reception: 7pm on December 5 The Centre Gallery CFCA Christmas Show and Sale The Wall Gallery CFCA Christmas Show and Sale January 9 - 30 Reception: 7pm on January 9 The Centre Gallery Artists North The Wall Gallery TBA February 6 - 27 Reception: 7pm on February 6 The Centre Gallery CFCA Student Show The Wall Gallery CFCA Student Show March 6 - 27 Reception: 7pm on March 6 The Centre Gallery Mandy Kozie The Wall Gallery TBA

Details for Calls for Entries at www.creativecentre.ca/opportunities/call-for-entries

Like The Centre for Creative Arts on Facebook Follow #CreativeArtsGP on Twitter

www.creativecentre.ca

9904-101 Avenue, Grande Prairie 780-814-6080 info@creativecentre.ca

in this issue: 4.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

4. CONTRIBUTORS 5.

ART OUT THERE

INSPIRATION IN VENICE

EDITOR: Joanna Moen DESIGN & ADVERTISING: imageDESIGN 10017 100 Avenue Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0V2 Phone: 780-532-6353 Email: info@imagedesignpros.com PUBLISHER: Art of the Peace Visual Arts Association Box 21503, Coop Plaza Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 6W7 Phone: 780-532-2573 (Jim Stokes) Email: art@artofthepeace.ca PRINTING: McCallum Printing Group COVER: Kiren Niki Sangra with self-portrait Photo by Kate Ediger, Velvet Leaf Photography

Art of the Peace Visual Arts Association acknowledges the financial assistance of:

10.

AN ARTIST’S TRAVEL JOURNAL

GRIFFITH AARON BAKER THE ART GALLERY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

14.

KIREN NIKI SANGRA

BITS AND BOBS OF BRILLIANCE

21.

ART BOOKS IN REVIEW

“STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST”

22. ARTCETERA

TRYING TO FIND WILDLIFE

24.

THREE STUDIO VISITS THREE REGIONAL ARTISTS

28.

EXHIBITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES

30.

ROBERT WIEBE

©All rights reserved Art of the Peace 2014 Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Art of the Peace makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

art of the peace

IN THIS ISSUE... BY JOANNA MOEN

This past summer, Art of the Peace took to the road. Yes, I know in the age of Skype, email and the good old telephone, we could have made-do, but meeting the artists of the Peace face-to-face and seeing their work first hand was inherently more rewarding. Fellow art lovers and Art of the Peace contributors, Debbie Courvoisier and Andrea Johansson, joined me in the old Santa Fe for a trip to meet Barry Moss (featured in Art Out There). We had heard an artful buzz from Fort St. John this year and we had to check it out; we were not disappointed. Barry is a dynamo of energy and experience whose vision for the North Peace Gallery is truly exciting. We also visited with Karl Mattson in Rolla. Talk about vision! Karl has motorcycles perched atop five metre poles, enormous metal sculptures, a five generation old dovetail log home, a Buddha garden and a generous, compassionate and truly creative soul. I had the pleasure of meeting his artist-mom, Emily Mattson and viewing her sun-drenched, sculpture-laden studio (replete with pot belly stove and quilts to wrap oneself in over a cup of tea). Emily’s media includes stained glass, ceramics, metal, and—get ready—cow placentas, beautifully rendered. I can promise that you will be hearing more about the Mattson family of Rolla in upcoming issues. And in the spirit of not being a GP-centric magazine—we are after all ‘Art of the Peace’ and that extends far into points north—we have articles from Fairview and Chetwynd, Peace River and Tumbler Ridge. It’s getting chilly folks! Find your softest comforter, a cup o’Joe and enjoy our latest Art of the Peace offerings. art of the peace

Contributors

Artist’s Statement JOANNA MOEN

is an artist and former art educator. Currently she works as a psychologist. She is the past president of the Centre for Creative Arts and is passionate about supporting the arts community in the Peace Region.

EILEEN CORISTINE

adores summer and reading and writing about art. She is employed as a crisis worker at Crossroads Women’s Shelter. Through painting, pottery and practicing Tai Chi she seeks balance and endures winter.

KATE EDIGER Kate Ediger is a local photographer in Grande Prairie, Alberta, with Velvet Leaf Photography. When she isn’t busy documenting client’s greatest memories she is busy creating her own with her husband Matt and her son, Timber, in the mountains.

JODY FARRELL has more than 25 years experience as an editor and writer for newspapers, magazines and education publications. She loves writing profiles of interesting people, many of whom happen to be artists.

LYDIA HIBBING is an artist and musician living in Tumbler Ridge. She currently works in acrylic and was honored to be a part of AOTP’s Home is Where the Art Is show. She enjoys travelling and finds inspiration for her creative pursuits wherever she finds herself.

ANDREA JOHANNSON

is an active ceramicist who lives in Grande Prairie via Toronto. Writing, both technical and whimsical, has been a longtime passion. She embraces the beauty of the Peace and the diversity of its artists.

ROBERT WIEBE

is a Canadian nature photographer and a creative photography lecturer at the University of Alberta. He is a member of numerous organizations supporting the arts and a Craftsman Photographer of Master Photographers of Canada.

art out there... THE ALBERTA ARTOGRAPHY PROJECT SUMMERTIME MADNESS FILLS FAIRVIEW GALLERY

Winter Warmth, Sandy Troudt

Salvage is what the sixty plus pieces on display at the Fairview Fine Arts Centre during August had in common. Welcome to My Asylum; Please Wipe Your Feet, the first solo show by Fairview artist Gene Toews, who combined wood from the landfill, paint from garage sales and a variety of found objects—including a trumpet, old cds, and kitchen cabinet doors—into colourful, vibrant, crazy works of art.

TABLEAU NOIR Sandy Troudt’s Tableau Noir: The Brilliance of Black proved to be not only an intriguing title, but also an evocative show of colour, light and contrast. Held at the Centre for Creative Arts in September, all works were created on black-toned canvas. For Troudt, black evokes a sense of potential and possibility that is both authoritative and strong. She believes that by respecting black as it contrasts and enhances the beauty of all other colours, emotion is evoked in the viewer. She quotes contemporary artist Robert Genn who stated that “in painting, black is the mother of learning”. Sandy allows the darkened canvas to peek through between brush strokes; in turn, this offers an overall sense of depth, unity, and drama. Sandy Troudt is a longtime resident of Fort St John. Visitors to her show will clearly see the inspiration she gleans from her northern surroundings married with the technique of the blackened canvas.

Most of Gene’s works are abstract and most have bright colours in thick poured paint. For others as the artist said, “I don’t use a brush too much. If I want to paint something that’s not abstract I usually use my thumb.” An amazing amount of pouring, thumb-painting, mounting and carving took place in a very short amount of time. Gene changed from his usual highly graphic woodcarvings to this new mad style in January 2014.

Piece from Gene Toews’s exhibit. Photo by Eileen Coristine

Alberta Artography Poster, designed by Alberta Artography

The Alberta Artography project was initiated to create a province-wide travel guide of all art, artists and upcoming shows in Alberta. Spearheaded by Marianne Garrah and David Baker, Artography’s goal is to sustain longevity and sustainability for artists. Travelling throughout Alberta art shows, markets and festivals, their aim is to educate the public on both their mission and the opportunity to advertise and be seen. From Cold Lake to the Badlands, the Peace to the Rockies and beyond, if it is art in Alberta, Artography brochures will present opportunities to see and be seen at provincial venues. Entitled The Alberta Studio Guide the brochures are partially funded by Alberta Culture. To have your gallery, studio, show, festival, or market listed in the Artography guide, contact David or Marianne at arts@ iotad.ca with details of your upcoming art event. Ultimately this ‘culture seeker’ travel guide will be made available to all tourists, travellers, visitors, and residents.

art of the peace

‘4’

So, why choose birds? As a ceramic artist, Deb discovered that their forms lend themselves to all manner of techniques and glazes in interesting and sometimes surprising ways. As well, birds offered her an opportunity to go treasure hunting for found objects which she integrates with her ceramic birds. In this way, Deb dovetails two of her passions.

Piece in For the Birds, Debbie Courvoisier

One notable piece was composed of a vintage bird cage inhabited by an array of tiny birds. Her charming and droll owl collection rendered in a more primitive style featured owlets each with a unique character. Branches, finials, vintage cameras and naturally occurring heart shaped stones were among the ephemera upon which she perched her birds. For the Birds marked Deb Courvoisier’s first solo show.

PEACE GALLERY NORTH WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR New directions are revealing themselves at Peace Gallery North in Fort St John this year with Barry Moss at the helm as Artistic Director. Barry has curated shows in England, Washington DC and most recently Ottawa. Responding to the need for a Curator in Fort St John, he came west to interview. Both he and his partner instantly fell in love with the landscape, the people, the artists and the opportunities in the Peace country. Currently featured in the gallery are sculptures and paintings by local artist Elizabeth Harris. Be sure to check out her amazing ceramic bears. Barry also teaches art to children including collagraphs and gel printmaking techniques. His promotional skills are well used at the gallery. Barry has a weekly slot every Friday on Moose FM radio and is regularly interviewed by local newspapers, where he promotes the gallery and upcoming shows. Be certain to attend the North Peace Art Auction at the Pomeroy hotel in Fort St John, October 18th at 7:00PM.

art of the peace

A pop-up art show, according to Klukas, allows the artist much more autonomy. Klukas expressed her delight at the potential for artists to take charge of their exhibitions through this type of show. A pop-up show lasts for a much shorter time than a gallery show, sometimes mere hours! Because of this, all of the artists were in attendance for the duration of the show and could readily meet and interact with the public on a personal level. Each of the 4 artists—though diverse in the nature of their works—came together as they felt that they were artistically a good match. Indeed they were! In addition to the dramatic artworks presented in an unusual venue, guests enjoyed wine, cheese and endless conversation as well as comments and critiques on the dynamic paintings. 10% of all sales were donated to the QEII Hospital Foundation for the acquisition of art for the new hospital. Invitation to 4, designed by imageDESIGN

In the spirit of ‘birds of a feather flock together’, art lovers swooped in to see Deb Courvoisier’s For the Birds show at the Beaverlodge Cultural Centre in August. Her ceramic array of feathered friends delighted all viewers; many of whom purchased her pieces.

Barry Moss. Photo by Debbie Courvoisier

FOR THE BIRDS

Representing the innovative concept of a pop-up show, 4 was enthusiastically received by a bounteous crowed of art patrons on September 12th in Grande Prairie. Hosted in the main hall of the ENTREC Centre at Evergreen Park, this one night event featured recent artworks from 4 local artists: Carmen Haakstad, Shauna Hoffos, Carrie Klukas, and Jim Stokes.

PRMA 87.1492.48

The competition was held over a four day span and the carvers were given 35 hours to complete their carvings. Logs were supplied by the town of Chetwynd and the carvings became the property of the municipality. Carvers drew numbers which corresponded to a particular piece of cedar. Some fast-track trading took place as carvers swapped for trees that were more conducive to their vision.

ARCHIVES WEEK OCTOBER 5TH–11TH

This year, 12 carvers from America, Canada, Japan and Australia competed. Carvers took unruly trees and created intricate sculptures using large and small chainsaws, grinders, dremels and sanders. After the final whistle marking completion was blown, a Quick Carve (1.5 hours) took place. The Quick Carve pieces were auctioned off to the public. This year prices ranged from $800–$3,000! Later, overall winners were announced, with the first place prize going to Chris Foltz from Oregon, USA, for his Killing Time clock piece. The people’s choice award went to Hiromu Kurita for his three eagle piece.

Every year, the Archives Society of Alberta (ASA) celebrates Archives Week which occurs the first week of October. This year archives week is titled “Creepy Alberta”! The theme captures the strange, weird and eerie from Alberta’s archival holdings. Each year, the ASA develops a calendar from the holdings of archives across Alberta which will be available at your nearest Archives. Visit the South Peace Archives in Grande Prairie or the Peace River Archives at the Peace River Museum, Archives and Mackenzie Centre.

In the above photograph from the Peace River Archives, can you see the ‘alien’ creature beckoning the next canoeist paddling the Vermilion Shutes to certain perilous outcomes?

Be sure to take in the competition next year June 12th–15th, 2015!

Hiromu Kurita. Photo by Lydia Hibbing

With this fun theme in mind, the Peace River Archives has invited the community to send in photographs of their creepiest Halloween costume or a photo of a weird and wonderful natural phenomenon to be exhibited at the Museum in October. Send photos to museum@peaceriver.net

Handmade bead jewellery, Cheryl Brown Photo by Cheryl Brown

CHETWYND CHAINSAW COMPETITION: 10 YEARS

BEAVERLODGE ART & CRAFT SALE Be certain to catch the Beaverlodge Art and Craft Sale Friday, October 17th, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Stroll about and visit the various artists while enjoying wine and cheese. This annual event has been happening for over 40 years and is a reminder of the strong vein of art which thrives in the Beaverlodge area and beyond. This year you will see pottery, weaving, jewelry, preserves, glass work, quilts and more. Among many other artists, Cheryl Brown will be showing and selling her handmade bead jewellery (see photo above). The Beaverlodge show is a terrific opportunity for individuals to purchase one-of-a-kind items; so if you are ready to start your Christmas shopping or simply wish to treat yourself, head down to the Anglican Hall in Beaverlodge October 17th. art of the peace

Inspiration in Venice AN ARTIST’S TRAVEL JOURNAL WRITTEN BY LYDIA HIBBING

Sunlight streaming through the open curtains woke me gently. As I turned on my side I could hear the muffled voices of two people whispering in the hallway. Were the travellers arguing over where to go first? Staff discussing the untidy contents of a guest’s suite? After a momentary pause to contemplate this I stood and wrapping myself in my robe, strode to the window. I was blinded by the full force of the sun now and throwing open the window I was struck instantly with a cacophony of sound.

VENICE IS ONE OF THE MOST INTRIGUING CITIES TO BE FOUND; A MIXTURE OF OLD AND NEW UNLIKE ANY YOU WILL EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE.

Boats motored up the Grand Canal and men shouted greetings to one another as they passed. A porter was unloading some very heavy bags from a motor boat and attempting to help the owner of said luggage avoid falling into the water. The waterbus was docked and a myriad of passengers were unloading; men and women dressed in smart suits, a mother carrying a small child and his bear, an old woman with bags of fresh produce. There were, of course, the tourists making their way haphazardly along the sidewalks, maps in hand, bumping or nearly bumping into every person whose path they crossed. A groan from the bed reminded me that I was not on this trip alone and should probably let my travelling companion sleep in silence for a while longer. Closing the window to block out the noise once again, I continued to observe the passersby below. Venice sees more than 20 million visitors per year, a number hard to comprehend even for a much larger centre. Where was the city hiding all of these people? There was of course only one way to find out—on foot.

art of the peace

While walking down the streets of Venice you notice very quickly how close together things are. The sheer density is astonishing. What you may not realize is that some of the walls hide gardens and yards, even playgrounds for school children. Walking by the doors and shutters you can hear muffled noises. Perhaps a tree peaks over the ten foot wall and you are left to wonder what lies behind. The walls act much the same as the masks donned by people young and old during the Carnival. Unfortunately we did not visit during Carnival as it did not coincide with our travel plans. Undoubtedly, Carnival is the most famous of all festivals or holidays in Venice. While the first celebration of the Carnivale de Venezia is said to have been in 1162, the festivities were actually banned at one point in time! In an effort to celebrate Veniceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and revitalize the city, the Italian government brought back Carnival. The city draws more than 3 million people during the celebration alone. Some of the visitors will have purchased their masks and accoutrements from one of the many masquerade shops found in Venice. Elaborate costumes are on display and masks which donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem like masks but objets dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;art, hang on the walls. There are plain white masks as well; do-it-yourself versions for the creative soul or simple white to showcase a breathtaking costume. I buy a plain white mask in the hopes that I will return one day to wear it. Venice is one of the most intriguing cities to be found; a mixture of old and new unlike any you will experience elsewhere. Delivery men hitch themselves to small carts loaded

with parcels all the while making plans for dinner on their cell phones. Miniscule, hallway sized roads lead to the tiniest restaurants and shops. Every nook and cranny is utilized to its full potential, no space is left wasted. Once the seat of culture, music and the arts in Europe, Venice remains one of the most visited cities in the world to this day. The small, quaint streets and seemingly mysterious alleys keep tourists flocking each year to experience the floating city for themselves. Venice is also world famous for their Murano glass, produced on the Island of Murano. Glass production used to occur in Venice but after a series of fires, production was moved permanently to Murano. Artisans study for many years to become proficient at this beautiful, ancient art form. We were lucky enough to be afforded a private tour of one of the glass facilities through our hotel. The skill that is required to create the intricate chandeliers and glassware is astonishing and a testament to the commitment of the glassworkers to pass on their trade over the centuries. A cornucopia of sights and sounds, Venice cannot be completely experienced in one short visit. Much like any other place with a long and storied history, a person must choose which layers to peel back, which doors to open and which alleys to traipse down. Whichever you choose, adventure surely awaits. LEFT Venice End of The Road, Lydia Hibbing CENTRE Venice Side Street, Lydia Hibbing RIGHT Venice Canal View, Lydia Hibbing art of the peace

Griffith Aaron Baker THE ART GALLERY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WRITTEN BY JOANNA MOEN

It is not hard to offer a warm, Peace Country welcome to Griffith Aaron Baker, the new Director/Curator of the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie. In fact, it is very easy to become comfortable with this affable, knowledgeable and enthusiastic new citizen of the Peace because he is ‘on fire’ with delight at his new position in the art gallery venue. Though he just joined the AGGP staff in the first week of September, he is already setting new directions for his “phenomenal new job.” So who is Griffith Aaron Baker? Griffith, is a son of the Prairies. Born in Saskatoon, he has curated and directed galleries including most recently the Mann Art Gallery in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. At the Mann—a collecting gallery—where he served as both Director and Curator, he assisted in acquiring more than 700 pieces in three years. The result is an impressive art collection of Canadian art as well as works from international artists. Currently, while Griffith assumes the helm at AGGP, his partner (Sculptor and Art Educator Twyla Exner) is assisting with the transition to a new Director in Prince Albert. Prior to the Mann Art Gallery, Griffith was Director/Curator at the Estevan Art Gallery in Saskatchewan; where he learned a lot about methods of procuring and mounting high quality exhibitions. Estevan was perhaps where he took the knowledge he gained from his BFA (University of Regina) and MFA (Concordia; in sculpture) and put it into practice. art of the peace

Now at the AGGP, Griffith spoke of his faith in the clear vision that the Board of Directors has described to him. He also graciously and gratefully acknowledged the contributions made to the AGGP by his predecessors, including but not limited to Robert Steven (now the Culture and Heritage Manager for the City of Grande Prairie) and Trenton Perrott (previous Executive Director of the AGGP); whose remarkable efforts resulted in the seven gallery architectural phenomenon we now call the AGGP. In addition to the direction set by the board, Griffith has more than a few ideas of his own. To begin, he will carry on the previous Director’s vision that the AGGP become the “Best small city gallery in Canada.” To achieve this, he wants to create greater accessibility to the AGGP with the hopes of higher numbers of people attending on a regular basis. Griffith wishes to promote and increase AGGP art tours to groups as small as families and to larger visiting groups associated with seminars and conferences being held in Grande Prairie. For example, when the AFCA (Alberta Fire Chiefs Association) recently visited here, participants were given an AGGP tour. It was so successful a letter of gratitude and commendation was written to the AGGP.

ABOVE Griffith Baker in front of Herb Sellin’s exhibition 45 Years - A Journey Through Realism to Abstraction. Photo by Debbie Courvoisier

Already Griffith has set this new direction in motion. He is in the process of creating a ‘Call for Submission’; an invitation not just extended to artists within Canada but also to those in the international art world. In this way, Griffith is hoping to find the works of new and innovative artists who may not yet be known outside their immediate communities. ‘A Call for Submissions’ as he explained, is convenient, cost-effective and opens opportunities up a greater selection for curators perusing for new shows. At the same time it offers the opportunity for Griffith and his curators to keep their collective finger on the pulse of both the emerging and established art worlds.

and in general, allow their works to be seen by galleries on a provincial and national scale. As well, he will continue to enhance the online newsletters and promote the spring 35th Annual Art Auction held annually in Grande Prairie (April 25th, 2015). In meeting with Griffith, one discerns that he has the energy, drive and sense of mission needed to accomplish his goals of enhancing the accessibility and visibility of the AGGP. He clearly values collaboration and inclusion both in terms of his staff and the community; his enthusiasm and excitement about the AGGP is palpable. Griffith knows that “there is so much great art out there” and he wants to find and exhibit it with the participation of his professional curatorial staff.

GRIFFITH AARON BAKER IS AT ONCE HUMBLE AND AT THE SAME TIME A VISIONARY.

As a dynamic and approachable Executive Director, Griffith plans to make his presence known in the community. He has already visited the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie and attends openings at the Centre for Creative Arts. He hopes to attract guest speakers and provide Professional Development opportunities for artists. An example of this would be a seminar series devoted to assisting artists in Grande Prairie and the Peace Region learn about self-promotion: how to apply for grants, write artist statements, apply for exhibitions

Griffith Aaron Baker is at once humble and at the same time a visionary. He is accessible, friendly, talented and knowledgeable. The AGGP is in good hands. One muses after visiting with Griffith if perhaps, like the sculptures he molds and forms to his internal vision, he will also sculpt and mold future positive directions for the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie. art of the peace

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We accept crafts and art work to sell on consignment. For any questions, please contact the museum:

PHONE: 780 523 2601 HIGHPRAIRIEMUSEUM@HOTMAIL.CA

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Whether you are looking for a souvenir or unique gift, we have something for everyone! There is also a large selection of Grande Prairie 100th Anniversary items still available for purchase.

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Kiren Niki Sangra

BITS AND BOBS OF BRILLIANCE WRITTEN BY JODY FARRELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE EDIGER

Niki Sangra leads me into her small studio in the basement of her family home, where, despite fairly confined quarters, she’s managed to store a most fascinating collection of, well, everything. One shelf houses a line of more than a dozen thick black spiral sketchbooks, documenting just some of the thousands of doodles and exquisite drawings she has made over the years. Makeshift boxes, shelves and countertops abound, housing a myriad of buttons and beads, baubles and wires, pipe cleaners and string, some of which teasingly poke out of their confines, hinting at the playful creation they will one day adorn. A right-angled metal device clamped onto a short track of counter, elbows its way into view exposing Niki’s jewellery-making corner, with all its requisite grinding and polishing gear. A tall bright orange filing cabinet resurrected from the old public library building is squished in among the lot, looking more cheerful in its repurposed role with its oncecard-filled drawers now re-designated: Ribbon, Encaustic, Sewing, Felt, Paper Rolls, Glitter. There are brushes and bottles and jars full of what Niki deems “bits and bobs”, a delightful but pure Niki expression, recalling childhood books and films including Mary Poppins, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and the like. “I read a lot as a kid. I still do. Fairy tales were a big part of that,” she explains.

LEFT Niki Sangra in her studio

No surprise there. Her sketches feature doodles that evolve from simple, initial renderings into fully-realized storybook characters, mostly animal in nature. Her creation Reginald, is an elegant, grandfatherly-looking elephant who appears to have stepped out of a British period piece. He stands nattily dressed in striped pajamas and a dapper housecoat, drinking tea (with raised finger replacing the would-be toe-nailed foot) and donning a gold-handled cane. art of the peace

LEFT Reginald, Niki Sangra RIGHT Journey, Niki Sangra

Niki was making art even as a very young child, doodling on paper as her mom sat nearby. Her mother recalls occasionally dozing off and awakening to find her daughter still caught up in her drawings. Later, Niki spent happy hours making dolls and dressing and decorating them with fabric scraps and ornamental bits provided by an aunt, who, as luck would have it, was both her sitter and a seamstress. “I’ve always loved costumes. At one point I thought about going into fashion or costume design. I research historical references if I have something in mind, or if the character looks like he or she might dress a certain way. Drawing animals instead of people allows for greater association [by viewers]. They are a stand-in for people and are dressed as such.”

“I DON’T THINK OF IT AS FINISHED WITHOUT [THE DECORATIVE ELEMENT]. IT STARTS WITH ME LOOKING AT SOMETHING AND SLOWLY ADDING LAYERS, UNTIL IT FEELS RIGHT.”

Niki agrees that her East Indian culture, in all its splendour and adornment, plays its part in her work. “I don’t think of it as finished without [the decorative element]. It starts with me looking at something and slowly adding layers, until it feels right. There’ll be beads here, embroidery there, until I like its look and feel it will stand out.”

art of the peace

It was through her position as Creative Operations Coordinator with Grande Prairie’s Centre for Creative Arts (CFCA) that Niki initiated the now widely popular Wearable Arts Show included in the CFCA Alberta Arts and Culture Days festivities. The fall fashion performance and its innovative designs bring out hundreds of spectators and Niki’s own creations are favourites among the crowd. A bustle she fastened to the back of a dress for one show features an enchanted forest, replete with tiny mushrooms and moss. “Every time I see real moss out there, I have to pet it,” Niki laughs. “It reminds me of the smell of the forest, and is also very storybook...”

A graduate of Grande Prairie Regional College (Diploma of Visual Art, 2002), and The Alberta College of Art and Design (BFA in Jewellery and Metals, 2006), Niki uses her full given name, Kiren Niki Sangra, in her art. One of her works was awarded first place among entries including top area artists at the Art of the Peace Regional Juried Art Exhibition in 2009. Another, featured in the CFCA’s inaugural group exhibition in its then newly-renovated downtown location, included flying teacups hovering above a woodland scene. In her inimitably cheerful way, Niki titled that 2010 creation Oh Those Pesky Teacups. It garnered a People’s Choice Award in a later show.

Her solo exhibition, Flights of Fancy (2011), introduced watercolour illustrations of Niki’s many storybook characters in another wondrous setting. A guestbook accompanying the show was filled with praise, including one viewer’s heartfelt remarks: “You have processed my whims on paper and canvas. Your work makes me happy and shines light in my darkness. The pictures soothe my inner child.” Her most recent solo show, Stargazer (2013), whose nighttime constellations are rendered in drawings and embroidery, was chosen by the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie and Alberta Foundation for the Arts TREX exhibition to travel to rural communities throughout the coming year. Todd Schaber, curator of the AGGP’s TREX program, writes of Kiren Niki Sangra’s work in the show’s introduction: “Her art is whimsical, playful and fun and always leaves you with a sense of wonder.” It’s hard to guess, given her exceptional mind and exquisite talent, just where Niki’s art might head next. Many are waiting for The Book. One can hardly miss the mark of a burgeoning Beatrix Potter, but Niki is still working on that. She wants to write the stories and not just inject her well-constructed character illustrations into someone else’s tale. Still, she keeps expanding her roster of creations. In the 2014 Art of the Peace group exhibition “Home is Where the Art Is,” one of Niki’s entries featured an animated self-portrait of the artist peering over her glasses, an elaborate and stylized illustration of herself being ‘funny and sassy,’ she says. An even funnier self-portrait has her re-imagined-aspuppet; bespectacled, google-eyed with a wide, laughing, muppet-style mouth. Artist and colleague Janet Enfield is a great fan of Niki’s work. “Those puppets she makes. Such complex animation. And she makes it light, airy and recognizable.” She marvels at the very breadth of Niki’s creativity. “She also does all those posters for the CFCA. And she’s somehow able to put [the exhibitor’s] personality into it and knows how to feature you in the best light possible.” Niki says her own creations will most always lean toward the lighter side of life. “It’s who I am. I’m positive. I like to put things out there that make me, and others smile.”

TOP Niki Puppet, Niki Sangra MIDDLE Little Night Owl, Niki Sangra BOTTOM Ursus Major & Minor, Niki Sangra art of the peace

The Art Niki Wears WRITTEN BY JODY FARRELL

It is mid-August, and with the Centre for Creative Art’s fifth annual Wearable Art Show only weeks away, Niki Sangra has yet to decide just what she is going to create for the event. Still, anyone who knows her is fairly certain whatever she fashions will be intriguing and original. For the past four such shows, which take place each fall at the Centre during the Alberta Arts and Culture Days, Niki has created one, sometimes more, of the dynamic wearable fashions we’ve seen modelled in the now-greatly anticipated happening. Her Forest Queen dress stands regally in the Centre’s main entrance, a monument to the event’s clever innovation that attracts both participants in the occasion as well as hundreds of fans. For the show’s first event in 2010, Niki constructed a carnival-inspired, marching band-style outfit whose skirt was made of vertically-halved orange and yellow plastic cups. A ruffled bib and black top hat accented the creation she dubbed Orange Circus. Another of her 2010 pieces was a fancier affair, featuring a white dress with a capelet made of those little paper ketchup cups and fake white fur. The layered skirt was fashioned out of long, light, folded strips of styrofoam sheeting. It included a fascinator made of white netting and was topped with more tiny paper cups. She called this one Frost as it reminded her of a “bridal ballerina.” For the second annual show, Niki created a more casual combination of clothes inspired by the steampunk fashion movement, which started with science fiction stories’ incorporation of industrial, art of the peace

Victorian era gears and gadgets in a post-apocalyptic future. Niki stuck more with the Victorian theme with breeches, a vest and a belt off of which hung a number of small boxes containing the necessities of one who works in the arts and fashion: a glue gun, thread spools, a sewing kit, small paints and various “do-dads,” she says. She named that ensemble The Crafter. The 2011 performance also included three of Niki’s big chunky neckpiece creations made with layers of strands of heavy, gorgeous coloured yarn and gold thread, embellished with beads and sequins, the ends capped in silver and brass. These remind her of sea urchins but are also reminiscent of African tribal adornments. Niki’s third entry in the 2011 show was a voluminous and black fabric feather cape and and headpiece called Cloaked in Midnight. It had been part of a series made for an annual art awareness event at Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, where Niki had studied and included pieces she’d made in her jewellery class there. One example of this is a mask made in chasing and repose, a method that has metal—in this case, silverplated copper—hammered and flipped onto a form upon which it rests as the artist draws designs into it. To

complete the mask’s decor, Niki placed a hematite stone between the eyes. She had also created a necklace formed with pieces of silver made to look like feathers which jingle when they’re together. The aforementioned Forest Queen was part of the 2012 Wearable Art Show and in 2013, Niki took and recycled all the prior year bookmarks, postcards and other promotional materials (her designs!) and folded these into cones, fashioning a hoop skirt and another pokey-pineapple-style fascinator. The lime green and bright pink colours gave it a fresh and lively look and Niki called it Juicy Fruit. There were even geometric shaped shoe add-ons and a big pointy ring to match. As for the yet-unmade 2014 creation, Niki is eyeballing a bunch of tissue sewing pattern paper that was donated to the Centre. “I keep thinking how good it would look with little lights shining through it,” she says thoughtfully. One can hardly guess where these first impressions might take her.

FAR LEFT Orange Circus, modelled by artist. Photo by Lukasz Herba Images ABOVE The Forest Queen, model Tia Stanway. Photo by Prairie Ranger Photography art of the peace

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art books in review WRITTEN BY ANDREA JOHANNSON

STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST 10 THINGS NOBODY TOLD YOU ABOUT BEING CREATIVE This hip, informal book is a primer for young creatives and a refresher course for more senior artists. Austin Kleon grabs attention with his irreverent title and then impresses with his bold advice, no-nonsense stories and collection of sage quotes. Kleon explains the healthy process of embracing influence in one’s life and the evolution of the idea. Whether you’re a musician, writer or visual artist, originality in one’s work is sacrosanct. We like to think that our ideas are our own invention. Steal Like an Artist persuades us to move beyond this fallacy. Kleon may flippantly call it ‘stealing’ but, in essence, he encourages artists to respectfully study other people’s work (also called research) and learn to build on other’s ideas. And so the creative world moves forward. Buy this funny, little, inexpensive book in multiples; you’ll want to gift it to any creative person! It is a refreshing quick reference chock full of common sense for both old school and digital savvy artists.

TREX

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program

For the 2014/2015 Travelling Season the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie Presents Three New Exhibitions:

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) has supported a provincial travelling exhibition program since 1981. The mandate of the AFA Travelling Exhibition Program is to provide every Albertan with the opportunity to enjoy visual art exhibitions in their community.

The Lebret Residential Petroglyphs

Three regional galleries and one arts organization coordinate the program for the AFA: Northwest Alberta: Art Gallery of Grande Prairie Northeast and North Central Alberta: Art Gallery of Alberta Southwest Alberta: The Alberta Society of Artists Southeast Alberta: Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre

Various Artists for the Collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts

Tanya Harnett

The Railway and the Gateway

The Printmakers

Conquered Mountain, John Esler

Stargazer

Kiren Niki Sangra

Capricornus (The Sea Goat)

Winter on the Wapiti Generously Supported By:

encana

Robert Guest

from the AGGP Permanent Collection Moon Before Freeze-up Big Coulee Area ™

natural gas

For a complete list of exhibitions visit aggp.ca

9839 103 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6M7 Located in the Montrose Cultural Centre P: 780-532-8111 | F: 780-539-9522 | E: info@aggp.ca

art of the peace

artcetera TRYING TO FIND WILDLIFE WITH A LENS WRITTEN BY ROBERT WIEBE PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT WIEBE

Trying to find wildlife to photograph can be a challenge and a joy! You require patience and preparation. At many places that I visit I already know the routines and the types of animals to expect. When I go to a new area, it can take a few visits to get the lay of the land. My secret, which may not work for all of you, is a coffee and mosquito repellent! Now for a couple of pointers to think on before you begin your adventure! Your vehicle is an excellent blind for many outings. As long as your engine isn’t running and the music isn’t playing you can sit, drink your coffee and watch. Try this experiment: drive down a back road near a marsh or a swamp, stop, roll down the windows, turn off the engine, and listen. The noises will change over the next few minutes. You might start hearing ducks, wilson’s snipes, or the elusive sora. Make sure your lens cap is off and your camera on. You might want to research the habitat for various birds and animals before you start looking for them to get a sense of what type of land attracts what animal. When I visit a new area for the first time I will use the vehicle as a blind and sit and watch for an hour or two. Listen and watch. I will often visit a site two or three times before finding wildlife. The best time of day for capture is early morning around sunrise or evening just before sunset. If you locate wildlife during your scouting art of the peace

visit you can try different times of the day, but I find the above times the most productive. Birds and animals are creatures of habit and like humans, will often look for the easy way. Larger animals will take advantage of paths, natural meadows, and cut lines. During the winter, animals will follow roads and paths and cross country ski trails because it is easier to travel. You will notice that some animals tend to support each other, such as ravens and crows following larger carnivores like coyotes, wolves and even the larger cats like lynx and cougars. Certain birds stay together. You may find mallards and Canada geese hanging out together and warning each other. Red-winged blackbirds and grackles will tackle a crow or a raven as a team. You found a site and now you are ready to take some pictures. My favourite lens range is between 200mm and 600mm for photographing wildlife. You can use almost anything over 50mm but depending on how close you get— or want to get—your success will vary (you still have to get within the same distance with the lens, but the detail will vary). With 200mm you will photograph the coyote from head to toe, with 600mm you will capture his face. Yes, a longer lens will get you closer but there is a point when the atmosphere and air between you and the object you are photographing will change the sharpness of the picture.

One day in winter, I stopped to photograph a moose from my vehicle. I didn’t leave the vehicle and just rolled my window down. I couldn’t see why the resulting pictures were out of focus. Not just out of focus but blurred. Then I realized that the heat from my vehicle exhaust was rippling the air in front of me. I got out of the vehicle, walked a few metres away, and the air was clear and my resulting photos were sharp! Think of the heat effect of a mirage in the distance. That bear across the lake may not get sharply focused because of the heat rising from the water affecting the air and your focus. The longer lens wouldn’t help! If you are comfortable enough with moving your camera off the fully automatic button, take a look at the T mode, TV mode, or any mode using shutter speed as the priority. I am making some basic assumptions here that you understand your camera, but if you are unsure, I strongly suggest that you join a local photography group or club for support, help and learning opportunities. Now back to the camera. A guideline for shooting in shutter priority is to set your shutter speed equal or greater than the lens. An example would be a 200mm lens set for 1/200 of a second: 400mm set to 1/400 second. This is a guideline and will depend on image stabilization, wind, your strength and other factors. You will have to experiment a bit for your own comfort.

Other factors will include auto focus or manual focus, spot metering or expanded but these are learning areas that are topics all by themselves. I prefer to use spot metering, auto focus and with a 400mm to 600mm range, 1/1000 second when not using a tripod. My personal preference is Auto ISO (if your camera has that option), which gives me some latitude with variable conditions of light in the wild. ISO is another subject entirely. Now, some general thoughts for you to add to your camera bag. Overcast days are good days for capturing wildlife photos. The shadows are less severe or contrasted and you won’t have as much difficulty with your viewfinder or backlit screen. Rubber boots are a great option to keep in your vehicle for that site that is just a little bit wet. Those battery powered fan mosquito repellents work great if you aren’t moving but don’t work so well when you are hiking into an area. Ball caps or Tilley hats are actually excellent tools for photographers to reduce the glare when peering through the viewfinder or looking at the screen. Happy shooting!

art of the peace

KEN HOUSEGO WRITTEN BY ANDREA JOHANNSON Ken Housego spends almost everyday “making something happen” in his studio, located in the lower level of his home. Amidst a collection of nuts and bolts, hand tools, blocks of wood, paint brushes, books, old photographs, pieces of rust and handmade miniatures, there is both a sense of the exotic and the familiar. His studio is where he ‘builds paintings’ from the treasure trove of ephemera he has collected since he was a young man. Housego enthusiastically presents his work to studio visitors. A magnificent wooden lobster claw hangs from a robust chain, commanding attention by virtue of its sheer size. Upon further scrutiny, with a nod to folk traditions, one appreciates its extraordinary craftsmanship. Another construction is an enormous disc of moving gears which interactively engages the viewer.

Three Studio Visits THREE REGIONAL ARTISTS

Turning ‘dross into gold’ Ken recycles and cannibalizes previous constructions to create something new. In the Housego studio, every act of destruction gives breath to an act of creation. As he states “The whole world is my art supply store.” Beyond this, Ken’s studio is truly a reflection of his creative soul. Recent artistic constructions emerging from Ken’s workmanlike-studio will find their way to his show at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie opening May 7th, 2015. Marking thirty years to the day that Housego’s first show opened at the then Prairie Art Gallery, his retrospective and reinstallation will represent his personal life journey and celebrate his community; art friends, colleagues and his beloved students to whom he is dedicated. Though his treasure laden studio might suggest a legacy of prolonged work and art-making, Housego states that he is just getting started and just now “coming out as an artist.”

“THE STUDIO IS A LABORATORY, NOT A FACTORY. AN EXHIBITION IS THE RESULT OF YOUR EXPERIMENTS BUT THE PROCESS IS NEVERENDING. SO AN EXHIBITION IS NOT A CONCLUSION.”

Photo by Wenda Housego

– CHRIS OFILI

art of the peace

JANET ENFIELD WRITTEN BY JODY FARRELL As longtime painting instructor Janet Enfield expands and exhibits her own art forms, she’s forced to invent ways to store these newfound passions in her roughly 500 square foot basement studio.

Photo by Joanna Moen

In her aversion to waste, the Wembley artist often creates more stuff. She makes glitter wax sticks out of wax and glitter remnants so kids can apply glitter in one step, not two. She recycles styrofoam packing peanuts, bags and tinfoil when making her large bird sculptures which she then covers by dipping old fabric into Paverpol, a textile hardening liquid. It’s a mixed media that is more forgiving than the classic sculptural methods involving clay and stone. “I was very pin-holed into one way of thinking,” Janet says of her strictly-painting days. “I thought that things had to be refined and made to last forever.” GPRC’s two-year Arts Diploma, completed in 2005, “freed me to do the work I wanted to do.” This new perspective sees her working in simpler and innovative ways that still generate art that can last several decades.

KARL MATTSON WRITTEN BY JOANNA MOEN Standing like a sentinel guarding Karl Mattson’s “Scavenger Studio” in Rolla BC is Lost. She is a three metre tall sculpture wrought from welded metals and found objects and she represents Mattson’s deep concern for the environment. At the same time she functions as an interactive receptive installation at Karl’s art shows where participants may write their fears on slips of paper and then insert these into her form. Subsequently Mattson lights Lost on fire and burns your woes away!

Now, however, Janet’s various-sized sculptures and things she adds to them, along with her popular series of expressive and colourful portraits of 30 area seniors, all require storage. A solid wood oak desk she got from a friend holds books and mixed media, including the eyes for her bird sculptures. The five easels all hang on a wall and the seniors’ portraits are on a big metal shelf on wheels. Other makeshift shelves and drawers, boxes and bins, hold her ever-growing supplies. It’s all about art, except for a nearby television and stereo, little “aides’’ Janet uses in her daily quest for creativity.

Inside Karl Mattson’s studio, situated several metres from the hand-hewn log home his family has inhabited for five generations, are sculptural tools. He is at once a painter, photographer and sculptor. Working with metal, soapstone, oil paints, film, video and eclectic found objects, he wields these into meaningful pieces which express his loves, concerns, hopes and ideals.

But there is more to Karl’s work. His photographs are strong and striking; his paintings rich with colour and images suggestive of another time; but not another place. Intrigued? Then join Karl as both participant and observer at his upcoming show in Dawson Creek October 21st. Watch for the Mattson family show at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie in Spring 2015.

Photo by Tammy Baduk

An ongoing project dedicated to respect and understanding of environmental perils, is Mattson’s series of Life Pods. These are functional sculptural pieces within which a person could actually live (oxygen supports and sealed seams) should for example a pipeline of toxic gases explode onto the human landscape. They range from coffin-like structures to a space vehicle-like Lifepod currently on exhibition at the sculpture gallery on the rooftop in Prince George, British Columbia.

art of the peace

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Tuesday–Friday 9:30–5:30 | Saturday 10:00–4:00 Phone: 250-782-4101 | Email: paygekf@hotmail.com 10411 10th Street Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 3T8

Grant Berg & Paul Qayutinnuaq

JANUARY 28 – APRIL 26, 2015

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GH, DH, LH, JH, CH Oil on board. A childhood memory of my sister and brothers carving our initials in the poplar trees on the farm. The painted piece is mounted on a piece of wood from my grandf a t h e r ’s s a w m i l l , w h i c h i s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 0 0 y e a r s o l d .

780-624-1984 9903 - 100 Avenue, Peace River, AB (the green building on the corner)

Watch for the Domino V Exhibition October 2015 | The Centre for Creative Arts

For original artwork and studio visits, please email carmen@carmenhaakstad.com or call 780-539-4483

art of the peace

Marj Taylor 780-532-0355 ma_taylor@eastlink.ca 9506 77 Avenue Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4T3

Tel: (250) 782-2601 | www.dcartgallery.ca

101-816 Alaska Ave, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4T6

Artist Run Centre | 13 Exhibits Per Year Art Rental | Education Programs By Donation | Year Round | Gift Shop

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2014 Special Events: Saturday, October 25th, 2014 Ghost Walk

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Fibre Arts | Soapstone Carving | Miniature Books Peace Country Watercolourists 780-864-3608 Cabbrown98@gmail.com Judybrown69@gmail.com

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Art of the Peace EXHIBITS & EVENTS Art of the Peace Juried Show Home is Where the Art Is January 5th – January 30th Dawson Creek Art Gallery OPPORTUNITIES Become a Member Members of Art of the Peace will receive a magazine mailed directly to them, notifications on ongoing activities, news, and opportunities, and special member rates to the Art of the Peace Symposiums. Register online at artofthepeace.ca or call 780-532-2573 for details. www.artofthepeace.ca

Beaverlodge, AB BEAVERLODGE CULTURAL CENTRE EXHIBITS & EVENTS Michelle Forrester Mini Gallery September 27th – October 23rd Peace Watercolour Society Show & Sale September 28th – October 23rd Beaverlodge Art Society Miniature Show & Sale October 26th – November 20th

OPPORTUNITIES Beaverlodge Craft Club Pottery and Weaving Guilds Basement of the Cultural Centre $70/year membership; supplies are additional. For information, call Lynne Brown 780-354-2371 (Weaving) or April Smith 780354-8477 (Pottery) Gallery exhibition and gift shop sales opportunities are available. Call 780-354-3600 for info.

MCNAUGHT HOMESTEAD EXHIBITS & EVENTS Ghost Walk October 25th OPPORTUNITIES The Schoolhouse Studio is available for retreats, classroom, gallery or meetings. For info call 780-512-6316 or visit McNaughtHomestead-Heritage.com

Dawson Creek, BC DAWSON CREEK ART GALLERY EXHIBITS & EVENTS Karl Mattson Lost October 21st – November 12th

CHECK OUT WWW.ARTOFTHEPEACE.CA FOR MORE DETAILS, LOCATIONS AND HOURS

Patricia Peters & Cathy Stafford January 4th – 29th Grande Prairie Regional College Art Students Show February 1st – 26th Beaverlodge Art Society Miniature Show & Sale March 1st – 12th Angie Patterson & Wendy Olson-Lepchuk March 15th – 26th Quilt Show Show & Sale March 29th – April 30th Open at 2:00pm PROGRAMS A variety of courses are offered on an ongoing basis. Please call 780-354-3660 or visit BeaverlodgeGallery.com for information and registration.

art of the peace

For information on opportunities for exhibition, visit online at DCArtGallery.ca

Fairview, AB FAIRVIEW FINE ARTS CENTRE EXHIBITS & EVENTS Peace Watercolour Society Show & Sale October Connie Larsback & Friends Show & Sale November Members Christmas Show & Sale December PROGRAMS Call the Centre for details on programs, courses, and events at 780-835-2697, email finearts@telus.net, or visit fairviewfinearts.com

Fort St. John, BC

Exhibitions+ Opportunities

Canadian Federation of Artists November 23rd – December 18th

Ladies Wine & Art Night Resuming September We provide wine, desserts and ambience, if you provide your creativity. Call 250-782-2601 for all the details.

South Peace Art Society Membership Show Christmas November 14th – December 31st Art of the Peace Juried Show Home is Where the Art Is January 5th – January 30th Payge Fortier, Amy Gothard, Daneka Hussey, Melissa Klassen 5 Painters, Rising February 2nd – February 27th Debbie Courvoisier, Lynne LeCorre, Jim Stokes A Bird’s Eye View March 2nd – March 27th Exploring Art Group March 30th – April 24th OPPORTUNITIES Exploring Art (Formerly Time Out For Seniors) Opportunity for all adults. Participants learn from each other and are inspired and challenged by working within a supportive group of interested individuals. Optional workshops with instructors. To sign-up call 250-782-2601.

PEACE GALLERY NORTH EXHIBITS & EVENTS Bob Young Mud, Sweat & Tears September 28th – October 24th Peace Gallery North Coordinator Art Auction October 18th Call Peace Gallery North for tickets Nature’s Best Exhibition of Sculpture, Paintings & Beadwork by Five Peace Region Artists October 24th – November 8th Smalls Exhibition of 12”x12” Paintings by 30 Regional Artists November 28th – December 24th Mike Kroecher & Bibi Clement February 20th – March 7th Flying Colours Artist Association Group Show March 13th – March 28th Weavers Guild April 10th – April 25th Mary Parslow May 16th – May 30th OPPORTUNITIES For information call 250-787-0993, email Barry at gallery@npcc.bc.ca or visit npcc.bc.ca

Grande Cache, AB GRANDE CACHE TOURISM & INTERPRETIVE CENTRE EXHIBITS & EVENTS Tom McDonald Wildlife Through the Eyes of the Camera November 4th 7:00pm – 9:00pm Robert Guest Exhibition Summer 2015

PROGRAMS Home of the Palette Pals Art Club and local art year round. Visit GrandeCache.ca or Grande Cache Palette Pals Art Club on Facebook.

Grande Prairie, AB CENTRE FOR CREATIVE ARTS EXHIBITS & EVENTS CENTRE GALLERY Patricia Peters & Kathy Stafford October 3rd – 31st Sara MacIntyre November 7th – 28th 2014 Christmas Show & Sale December 5th – 19th Artists North January 9th – 30th CFCA Student Show February 6th – 27th Mandy Kazie March 6th – 27th WALL GALLERY Tammy Baduk October 3rd – 31st CFCA Group Show November 7th – 28th 2014 Christmas Show & Sale December 5th – 19th TBA January 9th – 30th CFCA Student Show February 6th – 27th TBA March 6th – 27th PROGRAMS The Centre has classes for everyone: beginner, intermediate or advanced oil painting, sewing, photography, pottery and clay. Check out CreativeCentre.ca or call 780-814-6080. OPPORTUNITIES Gallery Exhibition Are you a Peace Country artist looking for an opportunity to show your lastest collection of work? The Centre’s Wall Gallery has several openings in the 2015 lineup. Please contact the Centre for information.

CFCA Group Show Art Dolls Call for Submissions Deadline: October 17th Email submission images to knsangra@creativecentre.ca CFCA Christmas Show & Sale Interested in selling your work this holiday season? Contact the Centre for information. Looking for instructors to teach a variety of classes. School programming available. Exhibition opportunities are available!

GRANDE PRAIRIE MUSEUM EXHIBITS & EVENTS That’s Entertainment Folks! Heritage Discovery Centre The Wedding Dream Grande Prairie Museum

PROGRAMS Tours and school programming available. Phone 780-532-5482.

GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE EXHIBITS & EVENTS Exhibits throughout the year in the Glass Gallery. PROGRAMS The Fine Arts Department at GPRC offers courses in music, art and drama with a focus on student learning and success. We offer a range of programs in both traditional and new medias. Call Joanne at 780-539-2443 for more information.

ART GALLERY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE EXHIBITS & EVENTS Herb Sellin 45 Years - A Journey Through Realism to Abstraction July 14th – October 12th Oksana Kryzhanivska Raw August 21st – November 16th Kevin Sonmor October 23rd – January 12th Michele Karch-Ackerman Foundling October 23rd – January 18th Tina Martel November 27th – January 11th Jeremy Hof January 28th – April 26th Paul Qayutinnuaq & Grant Berg January 28th – April 26th Levine Flexhaug A Sublime Vernacular January 28th – April 29th Ken HouseGo May 7th – August 2nd Upcoming and current exhibitions can be found on aggp.ca

QEII HOSPITAL, THE COURTYARD GALLERY EXHIBITS & EVENTS COURTYARD GALLERY Helena Mulligan & Teresa Durand September – October Vicki Hotte November – December TBA January – February Dan Arberry March – April COURTYARD CUBES QEII Collection Works September – October Cheryl Brown November – December Janice Lutsenko January – February TBA March – April OPPORTUNITIES Looking for talented artists to display their 3D or 2D works in the Hospital Cubes or Courtyard Gallery. Please call Fiona Munroe 780-830-4855.

High Prairie, AB HIGH PRAIRIE & DISTRICT MUSEUM EXHIBITS & EVENTS Imagine. Create. Share. Art Show Award Presentation & Opening September 26th 6:00pm – 8:00pm Showing until October 31th Traci Hansen Show & Sale November 1st – January 31st Happy Birthday Maple Leaf Canada Flag Turns 50 Opens February 1st Wolf: Predator or Prey March OPPORTUNITIES If you are interested in showing your work at the High Prairie & District Museum please call Darlene Adams at 780-523-2601.

Peace River, AB PEACE RIVER MUNICIPAL LIBRARY AND CULTURAL CENTRE OPPORTUNITIES If you are interested in showing your work at the Peace River Municipal Library and Cultural Centre please call 780-624-4076. For exhibition opportunities email lprudholme@prmlibrary.ab.ca

PEACE RIVER MUSEUM EXHIBITS & EVENTS West Coast and Plains First Nations Artifacts Display An exhibit of First Nations artifacts from a private collection Runs until December Archives Week Photos from past Halloween October Christmas Sale November & December

Toy Stories: You Have a Playdate with the Peace River Museum December – September 2015 Sherri Bentti January 2015

Alberta & BC EDMONTON, AB OPPORTUNITIES The Daffodil Gallery Welcoming submissions from artists seeking representation throughout the year. For more information, visit: daffodilgallery. ca/artist-submissions.html The Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Arts in Rehab Council Call for submissions. Deadline is October 31st. For more information, visit: artrubicon.com/10199/ call-exhibition-proposals-glenrose-rehab-hospital-edmonton

KELOWNA, BC

The Museum Gift Shop offers local and regional products from artists and producers.

Tumbler Ridge, BC TUMBLER RIDGE COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL OPPORTUNITIES Spring 2015 Peace-Liard Regional Art Council Jurried Art Show PLRAC is welcoming submissions for the 32nd Regional Art Exhibit in 2015. Email tumblerjurriedartshow@gmail.com for information.

OPPORTUNITIES The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art The Alternator accepts exhibition proposals from artists and curators.

GENERAL OPPORTUNITIES artrubicon For opportunities, exhibitions, events, visit artrubicon.com Alberta Federation of Artists For information about grants and other resources available from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, visit www.affta.ab.ca

home is where the art is

of 2014 art the peace juried show

Dawson Creek Art Gallery January 5th to January 30th A selection of works will tour through TREX September 2015

artofthepeace.ca

art of the peace

I have been fascinated with photography since I was a small child with my first Brownie Box camera. I broke into the professional world of weddings, portraits and fashion portfolios in the late 70’s out of university. I have explored many different realms of photography and with the advent of digital photography I started blending the worlds of computer technology and photography. As digital cameras matured I started working in the areas of event and nature. Sharing my knowledge as a mentor to new and old photographers is something I enjoy very much. Recently, I was chosen as cultural photographer for the 2010 Arctic Winter games in Grande Prairie and was on the official photography team for the Dan Aykroyd and friends Annual Dinosaur Ball in 2011, The 2013 Dinosaur Ball and the 2014 Philip J Curie Museum Amber Ball. I have also been official photographer of the Alberta Northwest Skills Competition 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the official photographer for the Chamber of Commerce sponsored Growing the North Conferences in Grande Prairie for 2013 and 2014. Backing the local arts is something I care deeply about and I show my support in such venues as music for the Full Moon Cafe and as a member of the Art of the Peace Visual Arts Association, the Centre for Creative Arts and Art Gallery of Grande Prairie. I am registered as a craftsman photographer and member of Master Photographers of Canada, Professional Photographers of America, the Canadian Association for Photographic Art and the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce.

Robert Wiebe “DEEP IN THE FOREST A CALL WAS SOUNDING...” – JACK LONDON, THE CALL OF THE WILD

My work is showcased in many government and municipal publications and websites, as well as international fan and customer sites. Many of you will recognize my wild life and nature captures from publication and display on various office walls or homes in Alberta. Recent work includes Peace River Pow-wow calendars and events brochures for government agencies and of course, a large presence in the social media world. My intent in many cases is to share events and nature with people that may never have the opportunity to visit or see what I have seen.

LEFT Photograph of a lynx, Robert Wiebe art of the peace

T HE ART GALLE RY OF GRAN D E PRAIRIE IS NOW OPEN! We hope you will be inspired to visit our newly restored building and continue our journey of exploration, inspiration and preservation of the human spirit through art. Since 1975, the community has created an engine for creativity; one that will never cease to expose the minds of this community to the newest, the most innovative and the most beautiful creations of our society and it is our honour to continue protecting, nurturing and enhancing that legacy. The future of the Art Gallery is just as surprising, enlightening, rewarding, exciting and mysterious as is the experience of art itself.

Photos by: Teeple Architects