Culture Days Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Culture Days Saskatchewan

Sunday at the LMLCC

September 28, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Days, Karlie, Spotlight on Culture, Uncategorized/by Karlie

I spent the Sunday of Culture Days Weekend at the Last Mountain Lake Cultural Centre (LMLCC), for a full day of Poetry Readings, an Artist Talk, a Gallery Reception, and a workshop on Paper Quilting.

The Paper Quilting Workshop I facilitated incorporated a Culture Days Activity that happened the previous Friday: A Photographic Scavenger Hunt. From this activity, participants brought their photos of the Lake and surrounding area to the workshop.

We took those photos and adhered them to various types of paper, then layered other items around the photo (i.e., pieces of fabric, buttons, lace or ribbon). Once we were satisfied with our assemblage of tidbits, we then used a darning needle and thick crochet thread to quilt around the collage. Although we didn’t have any experienced quilters in the group, you couldn’t tell. Most of the ladies were very adept at stitching and in no time had a small Paper Quilt.

Printmaking at Traditions

September 27, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Days, Karlie, Spotlight on Culture, Uncategorized/by Karlie

Traditions Hand Craft Gallery, on 13th Ave in Regina, was one of nine Galleries that participated in an “ArtWalk” on the Saturday of of Culture Days Weekend. In essence, people were encouraged to engage in a self-guided tour, using the ArtWalk Map, and visit all nine Galleries: Assiniboia Gallery, Dunlop Art Gallery, Hague Gallery, Mysteria Gallery, Nouveau Gallery, Sakewewak Artists Collective, SLATE Fine Art Gallery, Singing Winds Gallery at Tatanka Boutique and Traditions Hand Craft Gallery.

In celebration of the ArtWalk, Traditions Hand Craft Gallery invited two Performance Artists and myself to add to the festivities.

While the two Performance Artists braved the cold, wet weather in front of the Gallery, I had the luxury of a little table set up inside the shop. I gave brief tutorials on how to make a simple styrofoam print and then encouraged participants to make a few.

Again, despite the weather there was a constant stream of participants at my table for the afternoon. People of all ages tried their hand at making prints of patterns, animals, and other inspirational images.

Artist Talk at Shurniak

September 26, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Days, Karlie, Spotlight on Culture, Uncategorized/by Karlie

On the Friday night of Culture Days Weekend three artists (myself, Jay Kimball, and Patricia Holdsworth) spoke at the Shurniak Gallery in Assiniboia. All three of us have current exhibitions at the Gallery so the Reception was perfect timing with Culture Days.

I spoke mostly about the process involved in my artwork. Jay Kimball spoke about the theory and philosophy behind his ceramics. And Patricia Holdsworth addressed the composition and inspiration of her photography.

The Gallery provided two fun Culture Days cakes, and many other goodies, and attendance was good.

Although the Reception was brief (7 – 9 p.m.) the event passed quickly, as there was much conversation and visiting.

Thanks Shurniak Gallery.

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.