My 2011 Project

Each week in pictures. A recap, if you will, of the events of the week, every week in 2011. I did consider doing daily posts but after a bit of thought I realized that might be a bit ambitious for me, so I have decided to post weekly. Stay tuned to see my boring life unfold in 2011.

Crafts and Art everywhere

This is the season when all the beautiful homemade creations appear in shops and shows. Some of the work is precise and truly a work of art, other pieces show less precision and though maybe they are labours of love they don't have the finished beauty. Juried shows, trade shows, crafts sales, arts and craft shows. This can be confusing for the buyer. What level of quality can be expected?

A juried show is just what is sounds like. There is a jury made up of artists and crafters and they will review and approve all entries in the show. If the artist doesn't meet the requirements their work will not be accepted for exhibit.

A trade show is usually a wholesale show open to buyers from resellers only.

Crafts sales held at the local farmer's market or Christmas tea usually display items that are made on a one of basis by local crafters. There is no selection process unless the organizers wish to limit the number of knitters to a certain number etc. You may find many hidden jems and the prices at these types of sales will be more economical that they will be in the juried shows.

Enjoy the season and look at all the wonderful items that are available. Gather names and contact information so that you can reach the artists year around.

Summer and Festivals Everywhere

Hope everyone is getting a chance to get out and enjoy the summer weather. There are so many festivals and exhibits in our area it is difficult to decide which to see.

And of course just being outside and enjoying the sights and sounds is good too.

One Hundred Year Old Building

The Post Office on King Street in Bridgewater opened over 100 years ago in this red brick building. The Post Office has now moved to a new building on North Street. While the move will make the mail delivery in the area more efficient and improve the working conditions for the staff, hopefully, our town fathers will see fit to perserve/save the old building. So many of the original buildings have been lost through human error and of course fire.

Nature at Her Best

These pictures were taken along the LaHave River in Lunenburg County in Nova Scotia on Friday, May 21st. It was a beautiful day...the start of a fantastic weekend.

Great time of year

This is a wonderful time of year. The leaves are so fresh and green, the flower beds are full of colour and the air smells like spring.

Learning New Skills

I have never been a quilter, or a knitter or a person who enjoys the labour of making things with my hands. I have learned to sew simple garments from patterns designed for impatient, slightly inept folks like me, but I haven't enjoyed the process...just the end result.

Now I am starting to appreciate the beauty of the creation process...the time and thought that goes into making an end result that you are proud of but that always needs slight improvements. I am learning to quilt. Applique to be exact. I have attended my first class. A day of cutting and stitching and learning. And I enjoyed myself. I have since created a pattern of my own for a wall hanging that will have many appliqued pieces when it is complete. The small pieces are all cut out and basted and now I am looking forward to the stitching and finishing and quilting. Time will tell if this is another of my fads or if this is a skill I will nurture and develop. Pictures will follow.

Juried Art Show and Sale

Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show and Sale: Call for Artists, Deadline April 5
CALL FOR ARTISTS

Annual Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show & Sale

May 28-30, 2010 Open Doors Weekend
Friday 6-9 p.m. Reception
Saturday 11-8 p.m.
Sunday 11-7 p.m.

@ Sunnyside Pavilion
1755 Lake Shore Blvd., Toronto

The Annual Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show & Sale is a three-day art event that takes place in the historic Sunnyside Pavilion on Toronto’s waterfront. It provides a showcase for 75 exciting emerging and established artists, and features painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, alongside live music, art performances and art installations.

Application Deadline: April 5th, 2010

Are you an artist? We invite you to apply. Send us examples of your work (a web link or no more than ten photos), a bio (max 80 words) and a C.V.

We welcome proposals from all artists—juried art show applicants, performing artists, and those with art installation ideas.

Here’s what you get: The event is free and open to the public. All sales are commission-free. The first place Juried Art Show winner receives $1,000 in prize money. And all artists are included in the official show catalogue.


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For more information, please get in touch with us.

CONTACT:
Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show & Sale
198 North Queen Street
Toronto, ON
M6S 2E3
416. 622 7077
www.artinitiatives.ca

Call for Porposals - Works in all media

Cadillac Fairview : Call for Proposals, Deadline May 14

Call for Proposals
Encounters with Art TM series is a unique cultural initiative of Cadillac Fairview at Fairview Mall in Toronto. The program presents contemporary art and education to the general populace within the framework of a shopping centre. By presenting contemporary work within a familiar setting, the series challenges people's perception of art. Fairview Mall attracts 15 million visitors annually and is easily accessible by the Yonge-Sheppard subway line.

Cadillac Fairview and Fairview Mall are inviting proposals for new or existing works that engage the public spaces at Fairview Mall. Works in all media will be considered including sculpture, performance, video, audio, installation, photography, painting, drawing and digital media.

Proposals by individual artists, groups and curators will be considered.

Fees paid for Art Projects:. A maximum of CAD $15,000.00 for an exhibition project featuring new work. This amount is intended to cover artist/curator fee, materials, transportation, all aspects of production and installation and removal costs. For existing work, only an exhibition fee plus installation, removal and transportation costs will be paid.

Submission Requirements:
• Project proposal outlining the components of the proposed work and location on site; include dimensions and materials
• Artist or curatorial statement
• Budget showing materials, installation/removal, transportation, and other critical costs
• 5 -10 images or colour photocopies of relevant /related work, indicating materials, dimensions, year and description.
• c.v.

Address submission materials to:
Mary Pan
5694 Highway 7, Suite 189
Markham, Ontario L3P 1B4
Canada
Materials will not be returned unless accompanied by an appropriately sized stamped self-addressed envelope for Canadian or international submissions.
ALL MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2010

Local Festivals

I just learned that the Mahone Bay Boat Festival will not be held this year. This event is 20 years old but lack of volunteers and an operating loss from last year have left the organizers with no choice... the festival is cancelled.

What will this mean to the local artists? Fewer visitors, fewer buyers, fewer sales.

If events such as this are to continue there must be a way for all interested parties to support the function and to make sure that continued success is possible. However, things have to change as well. People do not want to see the same old thing year after year. They want new experiences and many festivals don't deliver on that front.

To all festival organizers, try to introduce one new item a year. It may be as simple as replacing the opening speeches with a ribbon cutting instead...not in addition to. Look for ways to increase participation and involvement and reward the volunteers. Make sure they get into the concerts, or have first choice at the sale tables or get a plaque or certificate of appreciation.

Will all festivals survive? No. Should all festivals survive? No. But a community needs to save the good and make them better. That is the only way for everyone to be winners.

From my Garden ... I Wish!

Nova Scotia in February is snowy and this year it has been cold. That is why I really appreciated these beauties while they lasted.