Blogs Archives - Page 3 of 6 - Culture Days Saskatchewan

Mixed Media Sculpture Workshops at Shurniak Gallery

September 25, 2014/in Blogs, Karlie, Spotlight on Culture, Uncategorized/by Karlie

The only instruction that the Grades Four and Five students of Assiniboia Elementary School received was to bring a non-sentimental toy from yesteryear that was no bigger than a lunch paper bag to the Shurniak Gallery on Thursday, September 25, for a Mixed Media Sculpture Workshop.

When they arrived at the Gallery they were then introduced to my art practice as well as the world of Mixed Media Sculpture. After watching a slide show on mixed media sculptures that included toys they were then asked to emulate what they had just seen, but using the toys they had brought.

I had collected buckets of old mechanical tidbits (bolts, screws, washers, and more) from a couple of local farmers. I had gathered what amounted to a box of miscut keys from the two Co-Ops. I had gone to the bank and got a few rolls of pennies (which is more challenging than I expected, now that they are out of circulation). Plus, I had gone to the Dollar Store and bought marbles, puff bawls, and bags of buttons.

I put all this material in dishes on the table and told the students they could use as much as they wanted, just so long as their sculpture included their toy.

Wow. What an incredible job they did. Super heroes with penny surfboards and button shields. Dinosaurs with penny armour. Dolls emerging from a marble hill. And so on, and so on.

After the workshop I gave the students a tour of the Shurniak Gallery, and explained my work (which is the current exhibition). But, we also had some interesting discussions about Post Modern Art when we viewed paintings in other parts of the Gallery.

A Magical Lighted Launch

September 24, 2014/in Blogs, Karlie, Spotlight on Culture, Uncategorized/by Karlie

The night of the “Lighted Launch” at Fife Lake was magical. There’s no other way to put it.

To begin, the weather was perfect. The night was warm and the lake was calm.

Second, the turnout for this event was incredible. Rockin’ Beach, the name of the Regional Park at Fife Lake, is situated about 16 kilometres east of Rockglen, which has a population of about 350. There’s no more than a hundred students in the K – 12 school.

Yet, there was easily 60 people at the “Lighted Launch.” One lady had driven over an hour with her two children to attend.

Many of the students who came had continued making origami boats at home after the workshop I did at Rockglen School, and that’s what they brought to the “Lighted Launch.”

After a brief welcome, we assembled the candles and boats. Then those who wanted to set sail stood on the dock and waited to have their boats lighted, while the rest stayed on shore and watched the sparkling fleet.

Once all the boats were launched we just absorbed the magic of the night. Such a pretty sight, it was.

If a critique had to be made, I’m sure it would be that the kids had wished we had more boats.

My Contribution to Waldheim’s Yarn Bombing

September 23, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Days, Karlie, Spotlight on Culture, Uncategorized/by Karlie

On Tuesday, September 23, I began my journey down to the southern part of the province for a series of Culture Days activities. On my way, I stopped in at Waldheim and installed my contribution to the group’s yarn bombing project: two ‘pole cozies’ for the front of their school.

When I wasn’t providing instruction on how to knit to the Home Ec Class or the Knitting Group, I diligently worked on completing these knitted tubes for the front of the school.

Installing my work alongside the other trees that had been yarn bombed by groups of students, families (one tree was completed by a niece, an Aunt, and the Grandma), as well as school staff (the Janitor, an EA, and Teacher) gave me a sense of community and accomplishment.

Flying Kites in Biggar

September 22, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Spotlight on Culture, Uncategorized/by Karlie

My Facebook Post for September 22 reads as follows:

“That awesome feeling when you teach sixty-three kids how to make their own kite, then go outside and listen to their squeals and watch their smiles as they fly those kites.”

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First thing in the morning I had a workshop with the Grade One class at St. Gabriel’s School in Biggar. There were twenty students and we had an hour to assemble our kites.

My knowledge from a previous Culture Days Activity–the Windscape Kite Festival in Swift Current–came in handy. I had the parts pre-cut and ready to go, and I had the confidence of two days of kite-making behind me.

Next, I did a workshop with forty-three students from Biggar Central School. Because they were an older group of students I included them in the process a bit more. No pre-cut parts for them. I gave them templates to trace as well as ribbon and string to cut. We still had an hour to assemble to the kites, so it was a bit more intense considering the size of the group and the added workload. But, just like the Grade One class of St. Gabriel’s this group of Grades Four and Five assembled their kites in a little over the allotted time.

While the kids finished up I took a lunch break.

When I returned to the school my chaperone and I walked in the direction of a large field that connects the two schools, which is hidden behind a hill.

As we walked up the hill I heard the students before I saw them–squeals of delight, laughter, running, and play.

I rushed to the top and was thrilled to see sixty-three students enjoying the simple pleasure of flying a kite (and, indeed, most of the kites did take flight).

Some of the students were running and laughing out loud, while others stood still and enjoyed the experience in silence with grin.

Either way, it was an enjoyable afternoon. And the students learnt how much fun can be had with a little string, ribbon, a plastic bag, and a couple of sticks.

CTV Saskatoon Highlights a Culture Days Activity

September 16, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Days, Karlie, Spotlight on Culture, Uncategorized/by Karlie

On September 16, CTV Saskatoon News went to Waldheim as part of the north portion of their Hometown Tour.

They took in a cultural feast, visited a few local businesses, stopped by the Rec Centre and the school.

While at the school, one of the things they focused on was a Culture Days Activity that has been in the works since last Spring.

Under the guidance Marla Laskowski and myself, Some of the high school students as well as other members of the community have been busy learning how to knit and crochet so as to Yarn-Bomb the front of the school.

Needless to say, the students were very excited to have their project highlighted and featured on the 6:00 News.

Origami Boats at Rockglen School

September 15, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

On September 15, I spent the day in Rockglen.

I met with two Board Members of Rockin’ Beach Regional Park to discuss their upcoming Culture Days event.

Plus, I facilitated two workshops at Rockglen School, which included all grades (1 – 12). In those workshops, I explained the history and meaning of Culture Days and then gave a tutorial on how to make an Origami Boat. Further, I extended an invitation to the students of Rockglen School. I invited them to bring their Origami Boat (that they just made) to Rockin’ Beach on Wednesday, September 24th at 7:00 p.m.. I explained to them that at this time we are going to have a “Lighted Launch.” We will put candles in the boats and launch them from either the shore or the middle of the lake (depending on the win) and enjoy the light show while we roast marshmallows and visit on the beach.

The Intricacies of a Knit-In

September 10, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

On a superficial level, a ‘knit-in’ may look like nothing more than a group of (predominantly, but not necessarily) women sitting around clicking needles and playing with yarn.

But, it is so much more.

On a practical level, it is cultural transmission. It is the passing of tradition from one generation to another. For instance, at the last ‘Knit North Battleford’ get-together there was an intergenerational group of three knitting in the corner–mother teaching daughter, teaching daughter.

On yet another level, equally intangible, is a transmission of knowledge. People talk about what is going on around town or upcoming events. They as well talk about things like health and nutrition.

But, on another level is the quintessence of ‘Knit-Ins’ (in my opinion). It is the gathering of people, who are often strangers, who for no other reason than a common interest have come together for an hour or two, and share their time, their stories, their humour, their life.

A woman who is a recent newly wed and pregnant for the first time may be sitting in the same circle with another woman who has multiple children and is widowed or separated after thirty-some years of marriage. A shy person may come and take comfort in the company of others without the imposition of speech. A new immigrant may come because the gathering offers solace to his or her solitary new environment … and so on.

Bearing this in mind, I feel it is a real success when I hear of Culture Days endeavours like the ‘Knit North Battleford’ Group who have been asked to meet in venues above and beyond their already pre-scheduled locations. Further, that they are discussing meeting after the Culture Days weekend.

The Wolf Clan Mother Mosaic is Installed

September 9, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

Well, the ceramic tile mosaic of the Wolf Clan Mother is installed on Muskoday First Nation.

But, it never would have happened without the help and endurance of Jay Kimball and Shannon Smith.

Shannon spent two days inserting all the necessary tiny tile pieces into the spots that were missing tile–a job coveted by very few. Plus, she helped polish for the better part of an afternoon. Additionally, Jay Kimball agreed to a very long day of travelling, grouting, polishing, and installing on the powwow grounds.

The mosaic will be celebrated with a ceremony on the Saturday of Culture Days Weekend. But, in truth, the mosaic will be celebrated for years to come when people gather for ceremony and tradition on Muskoday First Nation’s Powwow Grounds.

Making Mixed Media Sculpture at the SCC

September 6, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

Typically, when I facilitate a workshop there is some structure. There is an example of what we are going to make. There are pre made parts. There are steps to the process that I go through (one by one)…. There is an end goal.

But, this time, at the Saskatchewan Craft Council’s Mixed Media Sculpture Workshop, which was held in conjunction with the Broadway Street Festival on September 6, there was none of that.

When people entered the Affinity Gallery and approached the table, they were invited to create whatever they liked. I would list all the fun materials they could play with (beads, wire, yarn, feathers, etc.), and I would list some potential possibilities (jewellery, architectural sculptures, wall hangings, etc.). But, in the end people were encourage to “just create.”

And what a success that was. People did just that. They created.

Perhaps it was the inspirational artwork in the gallery, or the excitement of the festival, or maybe it was just people’s inherent creative nature that came through, but I didn’t hear once (out of approximately 120 participants) “I don’t know what to make.”

Considering that creativity is one of the ‘tag lines’ of Culture Days (“Create, Participate, & Celebrate”) I think more credence needs to be given to this type of ‘creation.’ True, it’s comfortable to go to a workshop where there is structure and an expected end result. But, it is also extremely important to “Create for Creation’s Sake.” It’s important to trust the process of uninhibited creativity. Some of the most important inventions have come out of this kind of play and experimentation. So I was happy to see us engage in and practice this type of creativity.

Knittin’ in the Mall

September 4, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

Another group that is using knitting as a means of participating in Culture Days is a collective in North Battleford.

There are several ‘Knitting Circles’ scheduled during the month of September in various public locations around the city. One such locale is the Co-Op Mall. A group of 13 knitters gathered on September 4th for a couple hours and began their knitting contribution. Like the Waldheim Knitters (mentioned in the previous post), this group of knitters plans on meeting in Central Park on Saturday, September 27 to yarn bomb some trees and lamp posts.

But, before the big installation the group will meet several times, as they did on September 4th, and prepare their knitted pieces.

I have to admit, there was something amusing and inspiring about walking into a mall and seeing a group of knitters creating and visiting. It was such a juxtaposition between what I consider a domestic, cozy, intimate, solitary practice and the sterile, public environment of a mall. When I came around the corner and saw the group of knitters the space was instantly transformed. It changed from a place of business and aloof transaction into a warm, friendly place. Further, it morphed from a space of commerce and consumption to a giving place of hand-made production.