Tag Archive for: public art

My Contribution to Waldheim’s Yarn Bombing

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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.

 

 

When artists collaborate great things happen

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I’m always excited to learn about new spaces popping up that provide opportunities for artists of all genres to create. Finding affordable studio space in any city can be a challenge. During my recent visit to North Battleford to record a SaskScapes podcast with artist Sherron Burns, I had the pleasure of spending time in the newly formed Artist Run Centre.  It was wonderful to meet several of the artists working in the new space that day.  Each has a section of the large studio, and each space is decorated with art that reflects the work and vision of the individuals.  It’s a bright, open, vibrant space and it all came together through the efforts of artists who had a vision. They took that vision to the town council and as with many things in life, when the vision is there, the practical aspects just fall in line.

Here is their mission statement:

ARC: Creative Studios is an artist run centre in downtown North Battleford where artists can create new work, collaborate with one another and connect with community through markets, events, workshops and performances.

You can follow ARC on their Facebook page HERE

(photo included with this post shows painter, Rosemarie Stadnyk working with acrylics)

Stay tuned for an upcoming podcast in which Sherron speaks about how ARC came together!

Muskoday’s Tile Mosaic

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Before July15, most (if not all) of the ceramic tile work I had done had been executed in a clay studio, my studio, or at my make-shift outdoor studio (which really is a big table under a canopy ten feet from my actual studio). Now, however, I can say that I have co-created a very large (four by eight feet, to be precise) broken tile mosaic in the bush alongside the Saskatchewan River.

Awhile back, Marvin Sanderson, of Muskoday First Nation, invited me to work with a youth group during one of their Culture Camps.  After discussing a few different options, Marvin asked that I facilitate a tile mosaic of one of their Clan Mothers (the Wolf Clan), with the future intention of then installing said mosaic at Muskoday’s Powwow Grounds, in the picnic area, during Culture Days weekend.

So, on July 15, I was taken down a very bumpy dirt road to Muskoday’s metaphorical “Island,” which is where the camp is located.

They’ve nicknamed this space “The Island” even though it’s still connected to land.  But, after spending some time there, I feel it is aptly named.  It is a distinct place where the youth and children of Muskoday can come and camp for three days in the middle of the week, during the month of July.  They have fun and celebrate and engage in their Culture.  There’s archery, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, story telling, talking circles, fishing, and more.

Shortly after I arrived, Marvin gathered the group so I could speak with them.  I shared with them my story of how I became a full-time Visual Artist, showed them some photos of my artwork, some photos of examples of what I hoped we could achieve, and then we quickly got to work.

I set up three wood panels of plywood that would make up the entire mosaic on empty coolers in their ‘kitchen’ area, and asked for a volunteer to draw the wolf image we had decided to use.  I also did a demonstration of how to break the tile, and asked a group to begin that task.  And, lastly, I showed them how to glue the broken tile onto the plywood.

And that was it. For the next three days, kids came to the panels and worked on them when they wanted and could.

Some worked in small groups.  Others would come in solitary fashion.  But, indeed, they did work.  In three days they finished the entire foreground: the wolf, the ground, the moon, and the clouds.

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Yarn Bombing: A Family Affair

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Todayphoto-5 photo-6 I taught 28 students how to knit.

The Grade 8 and 9 Home Ec students of Waldheim School are learning to knit and crochet so that they can yarn-bomb the trees that line the front of their school.

They are to pick a tree on school property and invite a friend and/or family member (who knows how to knit and crochet) to join them in this endeavour. These small groups of yarn bombers will be meeting regularly throughout the summer so as to practice their knitting and crocheting, and to make ‘blocks’ in preparation for yarn-bombing.

 

Part 1: What’s that supposed to be anyway?

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Could two bales of compressed recycled material placed on a busy downtown intersection possibly be art? What’s that supposed to be anyway? Somebody funded that?! Artist Keeley Haftner and 6 other artists debate the merit of their work, and may have you rethinking how you look at art. This is a two part podcast.