The Swamp Ward Window Project

INSIDE
a Swamp Ward Window project by Dave Gordon

dates: July 19 - September 5, 2009
location: 448 Bagot St., Kingston, Ontario Canada


Kingston is a city chock-a-block full of correctional facilities; also known in the vernacular as the “Big House”. Located in close proximity to urban neighbourhoods or nestled in nearby rural communities, they are home to thousands of inmates from across the country. Having spent several years teaching in the prison system, Gordon reflects on life inside these distinct and complex communities by creating a series of lively multi-coloured banners with statements to suggest some of the realities of everyday life for inmates on the “inside”. Juxtaposing the banners against the backdrop of the Swamp Ward Window, a public space in a residential home in an urban neighbourhood, is an opportunity to consider the concept of home and community.


Dave Gordon is a Kingston artist. He studied at the University of Western Ontario and in the late '60's and early '70's he was part of the lively London art scene that included Greg Curnoe, Jack Chambers, Murray Favro and Paterson Ewen, among others. He was a founding member of the Forest City Gallery in 1973. He moved to Kingston in 1976 to teach fine art at St. Lawrence College and was a founding member of Modern Fuel ARC (formerly K.A.A.I.) and the Kingston School of Art. His work is in the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Museum London, the Agnes Etherington Art Gallery, the MacIntosh Gallery, U.W.O. and the Canada Council Art Bank, and private collections.

Curated by Jocelyn Purdie and located in the front porch at 448 Bagot St., the Swamp Ward Window is a venue for contemporary art initiatives in an unconventional site in Kingston’s north end. It takes advantage of pedestrian curiosity and the intimacy of a dense urban setting.

For further information contact: (613) 545-9421 or jocelyn.purdie@gmail.com

New Initiative, Prince Edward County Arts Community

Spark Box Studio, an exciting new arts initiative led by local youth entrepreneurs, Chrissy Poitras and Kyle Topping, is getting ready to open its doors.

Spark Box Studio is an Artists Studio and Residency located in Picton, Prince Edward County. Its mission is to provide space for artists to live, research, investigate and experiment. It aims to encourage discovery and the cultivation of new ideas, to provide career-building opportunities for artists at all stages, and to engage with the community through the arts.

Spark Box offers an open studio program for printmaking and photography, studio rental space, and workshops in a variety of media (with an emphasis on printmaking). Its residency program provides live/work space to accommodate writers, painters, illustrators, printmakers and photographers. Artists-in-residence stay at 7 Bridge St., in a charming house by the Picton Harbour. The studio is located at 206 Main St., Picton, in the Armoury Mall. Many local individuals and groups have already expressed great interest in participating in the studio program.

A key focus of Spark Box Studio is to work with regional youth to build awareness of career options within the arts, to encourage creative thinking and the development of entrepreneurial skills, and to provide the opportunity for interaction with established artists through the studio and residency programs.

To date, Spark Box Studio has received overwhelming support from the local and regional community. Substantial in-kind donations of time, equipment, supplies and other materials have helped make the initiative a reality, along with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Prince Edward Lennox and Addington Community Futures Development Corporation and the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward.

Actively involved in the Spark Box Studio initiative, along with Chrissy Poitras and Kyle Topping, are project partners including The Small Business Centre, Prince Edward Lennox and Addington Community Futures Development Corporation, The Corporation of the County of Prince Edward and Rene Dick of Scout Design. The Prince Edward County Arts Council has also provided a mentor to the initiative.

Spark Box Studio will be open July 31,2009.
Feel free to drop in to see what is happening.
Studio Hours: Tuesday - Saturday noon - 6pm.

Celebrate our launch with us at our Open House August 14, 2009 from 10am - 6pm.

If you would like more information or are interested in participating in any of the programs, please call 613.476.0337 or email info@sparkboxstudio.com

Call for Expression of Interest: Sculpture wanted

July 22, 2009

The Town of Gananoque, Sculpture Committee, is currently seeking local Artists to provide proposals for one (1) new piece of sculpture for installation in the Gananoque Sculpture Gallery.

The Committee would be interested in pieces that reflect either the history or the ecology of Gananoque and the 1000 Islands.

To view existing sculptures located in our park please feel free to visit the Town’s Website at

www.townofgananoque.ca

This Package contains the following :

Brief history of Gananoque and the sculptures

Project Deadlines

Project Budget

Qualifying material from artist ( to be submitted with proposal)

Photographic examples of previous projects along with references

Conceptual drawings of proposed project ( please indicate dimension and estimated weight)

Installation requirements ( installation will be done by the Town of Gananoque)

GANANOQUE SCULPTURE PROJECT

Expression of Interest deadline: September 15, 2009 at 4:00pm

Proposals will be received at the Gananoque Town Hall, 30 King St. E., Gananoque, Ontario K7G 2T6

Proposal must include:

Slides or CD of work

Location and ownership of other public installations

Cost estimate

Description, including proposed material

Presentations (for successful short listed candidates): During the week of September 21, 2009

Final Selection announcement : October 7, 2009

Installation : Spring 2010

Project Budget: $ 5000.00 – does not include site installation

** Please note: existing sculptural work will be considered, if suitable.

The Town of Gananoque has long been known as the Canadian Gateway to the 1000 Islands. This beautiful region is an attractive place for visitors and residents alike.

As of 2006 Statistics Canada reported Gananoque having a population of 5,285 residents. Throughout the twelve months of the year the town has much to offer for people of all ages- entertainment, recreation, and much more. The diversity of the businesses and their services has allowed the town to emerge has a tourist destination year round.

Furthermore, Gananoque is a strategic business location. The town is located on the Detroit/Windsor-Montreal corridor on Highway 401, along this route resides two thirds of Canada’s population, and approximately three hours east of Toronto, three and a half hours west of Montreal, and one hour south of Ottawa, via Hwy 416. Access to the United States and its markets is only twenty minutes east of Gananoque at the 1000 Islands International Bridge, which connects Hwy 401 to U.S. Interstate 81.

Gananoque is at the center of a market that includes 12 million consumers, with over half of the North American industry within a days travel. Businesses located here enjoy the proximity of three of the major Canadian cities, in addition to quick and easy access to the United States.

Confederation Park (Home to Gananoque’s Sculpture Gallery)

Welcome to Eastern Canada's largest outdoor contemporary art exhibit. This park sits on what was once an industrial site that occupied both sides of the Gananoque River. When the Jones Shovel Company ceased operation in the 1960's, the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce developed a park which was dedicated on July 1, 1967. Over time, the Rotary Club added walks, lighting, ponds and a beautiful fountain in the centre of the river. During the 1990's members of the Rotary Club approached the Art Bank in Ottawa, and in due course, a number of sculptures were leased from the Art Bank. Since that time the Town of Gananoque has also acquired a number of pieces of sculpture which are currently on display.

Artists who are fortunate enough to have their works displayed in our park are in good company and will share space with names such as Walter Redinger and Tony Stapell .

Call for Artists: Artist Project Application NOW Available!

The Artist Project Toronto is seeking applications from independent artists for its third annual juried exhibition & sale. From March 4-7, 2010 join over 150 of the best established and emerging artists and collectives. At The Artist Project Toronto, you can expect:

• Qualified Customers: expand your market and connect with 10,000 visitors including buyers, gallerists and art enthusiasts
• Effective Marketing: get noticed with our extensive print, radio and e-marketing campaign
• Hard Wall Booths: display your work on professional, gallery-style hard walls (included in your booth fee)
• Superior Operations: from preparing an application to setting up your booth at the show, our experienced staff is happy to help you at every step along the way
• Special Features: Your customers will enjoy an eclectic program of talks, feature exhibits and art installations
• Contests, Awards, Travel Scholarships & Prizes!

Visit www.theartistprojecttoronto.com for more information. Click HERE for application.
Deadline for application is September 21, 2009.

Contact:
Kim Selman
T: 416-960-4527
E: kim@mmpicanada.com
W: www.theartistprojecttoronto.com

Join us on facebook

About Us:
The Artist Project Toronto is produced by MMPI, one of the largest trade show producers in the world credited with Art Chicago, Volta, NEXT and The Armory Show. MMPI Canada is also responsible for The Toronto International Art Fair, One of a Kind Shows, Interior Design Show, and IIDEX/NeoCon Canada.

Short Term Marketing and Communications Coordinator position available

Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre seeks a Marketing and Communications Coordinator for a short-term contract August 2009. The selected candidate will coordinate a multi-faceted advertising campaign that will require liaising with participating advertising partners, to be completed by September 2009. The development and implementation of the campaign, in consultation with the advertising partners, will be the major responsibility of the selected candidate. The candidate, in consultation with the advertising partners, will develop promotional material and make the necessary arrangements for its dissemination according to the specific timelines of the project. Salary and hours pending funding.

Requirements:
-Marketing and communications or design background.
-Demonstrated computer aptitude and design sensitivity including knowledge and ability to apply web design programs, graphics programs and Microsoft office programs.
-Time management skills.
-Leadership skills.
-Oral and written communication skills.
-Ability to work collaboratively.
-Work experience with artist-run centres and the not-for-profit sector an asset.

To apply: Please deliver a cover letter, CV, and examples of design work ATTN: Michael Davidge and Bronwyn McLean, Co-Directors, Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre. 21A Queen Street, Kingston ON, K7K 1A1.

Deadline: 20 July 2009

Questions? Call 548-4883 or email modernfuel@bellnet.ca

Julian Brown honoured as volunteer

"Julian Brown,the driving force behind the Kingston Prize, Canada's national portrait competition, also received an Honourable Achievement Award. The portrait competition, which will run for the third time this year, encourages and rewards the creation of portraits by Canadians."

From the Kingston Whig Standard - http://www.kingstonwhigstandard.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1642701

Job Posting: Kingston Canadian Film Festival Manager

Job Title: Festival Manager

Salary: $18,684 per year

Work load varies: Year-Round, 35% time Apr to Aug, 50% time Sept to Jan, 100% time Feb to Mar

Benefits: 3 weeks paid vacation + 6% in lieu of health benefits

Terms: Two year contract with potential for renewal

Closing Date: July 22, 2009 at 5:00 pm

Accountabilities:

Reporting to the board and Festival Director, and working in partnership with staff, interns, and volunteers, the Festival Manager plans, oversees and manages all aspects of the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, an annual five-day festival that takes place in Kingston, Ontario.

The festival is widely recognized as the largest all-Canadian film festival and is dedicated to supporting our national cinema and filmmakers, as well as aspiring local filmmakers. The Festival Manager is expected to solidify and further develop the Kingston Canadian Film Festival’s status and success.

Principal Duties:

· Manage staff and contractors, supervising their work across all festival activities

· Plan and manage budget with Festival Director

· Maintain and develop sponsorship and business relationships to ensure the festival’s funding base in conjunction with the Festival Coordinator

· Oversee public relations efforts, coordinate press coverage and represent the festival in media

· Develop overall marketing plan and oversee development of creative campaign and materials

· Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:

· Degree or diploma in communications, marketing or liberal arts

· Minimum 5 years’ experience in special event planning, project management, marketing or fundraising

· Knowledge of cinema and/or Canadian media industries highly valued

· Proven leadership abilities and management skills

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills

· Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills

· Superior organizational abilities, capable of meeting tight deadlines for multiple and competing priorities

· Ability to work independently without regular supervision

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with web applications is preferred

· Fundraising or sales experience considered an asset

To apply, please submit a resume and a two-page letter detailing how your experience, education and skills match the job description (Adobe Acrobat format preferred). Apply by email only to alison@kingcanfilmfest.com.

No phone calls please.

Voice Off: Artist Talk and Workshops with artist Sarah DeCarlo

Starts: Friday July 17th, 2009 at 7 pm
Where: Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre (50 Hickson Ave. Kingston, ON)

This summer, Modern Fuel, in partnership with the Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre, is organizing Voice Off a multi-media based project that brings artists Sarah DeCarlo and Bear Thomas to work with youth ages 12-25 at the Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre through video workshops. The partnership between Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre and the Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre is a new community outreach initiative made by Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre to build new relationships between the Kingston arts community and the community served by the Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre.

Sarah DeCarlo will kick off the project by giving an artist talk and performance on the evening of Friday July 17th at 7pm and then going on to lead a weekend workshop on Saturday and Sunday. Bear Thomas will then be presenting an artist talk and video workshop the weekend of 21 August. The project will culminate in a screening of the finished works at a public venue in Kingston in September.

The goal of the project is to create an opportunity for the youth at the Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre to gain media skills and to facilitate an opportunity to explore, create and share personal and community experiences and stories through new media and video technologies.

Artist’s Bio: Sarah DeCarlo is a singer/songwriter, musician and filmmaker from Peterborough, ON. Her video works have been screened at ImagineNATIVE, Mispon, Weenebeg Film and Video Festival, Imagenation as well as the Reframe Video Festival. She has worked extensively with youth and community facilitating training in video and the arts both in the north and in Peterborough and Toronto. Sarah is a member and co-founder of the O'Kaadenigan Wiingashk Collective, a group of indigenous artists based in the Kawarthas; presenters of Ode'min Giizis, a seven day multidisciplinary indigenous arts festival. Sarah was featured in Spirit Magazine in the latest music issue and was part of the compilation CD they distributed. Her music and performance incorporates the use of her videos. She is currently working on a feature length documentary on the experience of girls and young women in one northern Quebec community.


For further information, contact:
Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre
21A Queen St, Kingston, ON, K7K 1A1
(613) 548-4883
modernfuel@bellnet.ca
www.modernfuel.org

Gallery Raymond exhibition: Heather Haynes

Greetings--Gallery Raymond is proud to present an exhibition of work by internationally renowned artist Heather Haynes. She is displaying her newest collection of of work called "Worlds Collide". Her tree-scapes are supplemented by paintings of African Women and Children. Heather's recent trip to Uganda through Buy-A-Net has powerfully influenced her work. These compelling pieces meld abstraction and figures to create a strong emotional response.

"The work of Heather Haynes has been described as everything from dramatic or chaotic to unexplainably beautiful. For Haynes, however, there are no words or formulas. As she states, "I try not to think when I'm painting". Rather she can be seen continuing the expressionistic tradition of being engaged in the act of painting.

It is precisely this inability to analyze her work shows the beauty of it. Her paintings of abstracted landscapes take from the natural world and are filtered through her artistic vision. The resulting images are not only sublime but transcend our everyday world and lie somewhere between the realm of the real and the imagination. The fields and tress exist on the outside in a mysterious landscape. A place the viewer is invited to journey into. Her use of lace imagery adds an interior element, reminiscent of old curtains and wallpaper. The subtle writing adds another deep interior dimension, quoting her grandfather, urging her to believe in her dreams".

Here is Heather's comments about "World's Collide" from her website:

www.heatherhaynes.com

This astonishing body of work is sure to touch your heart and stir your emotions as you gaze into the eyes of these beautiful people that Heather and her son, Whitney, encountered on their 2008 trip to Uganda, Africa with the Buy-A-Net group. Says Haynes: "Our lives will never be the same after meeting these wonderful people. They brought so much joy to our lives. I am hoping to be able to return even a fraction of that joy to their lives by helping to spread awareness of the hardship they face at the hand of this terrible, yet preventable and curable disease....Buy-A-Net has made it easy for people who want to help. A $6 donation will buy a bed net that will save lives the night it is hung and will continue to for up to 5 years..."

Part of the purposes of this exhibition is to support Buy-A-Net Malaria Prevention Group and to help raise awareness around malaria prevention.

15% of the proceeds will go to support Buy-A-Net.

There will be a Wine and Cheese reception on Saturday July 18 from 8 to 10 pm.

Come and meet the artist and chat about her work.

The exhibition will continue until August 10.

Hope to see you there!
Thanks--Raymond Vos
Gallery Raymond
www.gallery.com

Kingston Cultural Plan Steering Committee Deadline

Update on The Kingston Community Cultural Policy Plan: Community Cultural Policy Plan Steering Committee is seeking two members of the public to serve on the committee application deadline: Friday, July 10, 2009 Functions will include the development of a detailed work plan and a final draft Community Cultural Policy Plan which will be submitted to the Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee for consideration. Dates and times of meetings to be confirmed. Committee Appointment will be until term of Council, Nov. 30, 2010. If you are interested in serving on this Committee, please complete the Application For Appointment, available in the Clerk's Department at City Hall or online at www.cityofkingston.ca. Please submit the application and brief summary of your interest and background to Diane Jackson, City Hall, 216 Ontario St., Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3 or fax it to 613-546-5232. Additional information about the appointment process can be requested at 613-546-4291 ext 1375 or by email at djackson@cityofkingston.ca. All applications must be received by Friday, July 10, 2009. Kingston Arts Council PO Box 1005 Kingston, Ontario K7L 4X8 www.artskingston.com - info@artskingston.com

Announcement: List of Portrait Prize Finalists

MEDIA RELEASE: 2 July 2009 THE KINGSTON ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES Exciting List of Portrait Prize Finalists

Kingston Ontario. 2 July 2009. A new chapter unfolds in the contemporary Canadian portrait scene as thirty exciting portraits are chosen as finalists in The Kingston Prize, Canada's National Portrait Competition. These portraits will be exhibited at the Grand Theatre in Kingston, Ontario, from October 9 - 25. The names of the finalists are:

Fiona Ackerman Vancouver BC

Shauna Born Port Rowan ON

Carolyn Campbell Edmonton AB

Jennifer Campbell Ottawa ON

Jennifer Carvalho Vancouver BC

Taha Clayton Brooklyn NY

Marina Dieul Montreal QC

Zinour Fathoullin Calgary AB

Elaine Goble Ottawa ON

Roselina Hung Vancouver BC

Nelly Kazenbroot Nanaimo BC

Charles Keillor North Vancouver BC

Kris Knight Toronto ON

Gerald Kuehl Winnipeg MB

Noah Layne Victoria BC

Miklos Legrady Toronto ON

Steven Lewis Toronto ON

Tony Luciani Durham ON

Eileen MacArthur Guelph ON

Allan MacKay Kitchener ON

Mahmood Meraji North York ON

Brian Michon Toronto ON

Richard Morin Montreal QC

Diliana Popova Toronto ON

Kristi Ropeleski Montreal QC

Tammy Salzl Montreal QC

Matthew Schofield Toronto ON

David Scott Toronto ON

Paul Robert Turner Toronto ON

Andrew Valko Winnipeg MB

The finalists were chosen from 471 entries by the jury consisting of Professor Robert Enright, art critic and writer, from the University of Guelph; Eliza Griffiths, painter and Assistant Professor at Concordia University in Montreal; and Dr Lilly Koltun, Director-General of the Portrait Gallery of Canada.

The jury will announce the winner of The Kingston Prize of $10,000, presented by the W. Garfield Weston Foundation, and two Honourable Mention awards of $1000 each, at the Gala Preview at the Grand Theatre in Kingston, on October 8.

After its Kingston showing the exhibition will embark on a national tour lasting several months, heading to Wolfville, Nova Scotia; Toronto; and Calgary.

A People's Choice Prize of $1000 will be awarded at each of the four locations.

The Kingston Prize is a project of the Kingston Arts Council.

Kingston's Biggest Solo Art Exhibit to Open

KINGSTON, ONTARIO (June 28, 2009) - With almost fifty works of art on over one hundred thirty linear feet of wall, the upcoming show of A. Michael Shumate is likely the biggest solo art exhibit in recent Kingston history, maybe ever. The show will take place from July 17 to 23 at the St. Lawrence College Gallery, Kingston. There will be an opening reception Thursday, July 16 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The St. Lawrence gallery is big, wrapping around the skylit stairwell. "I won't have a problem filling it," Michael explains. "I've been preparing all year for another exhibit that didn't happen, so I have more than enough pieces. I'm really excited about them."

Michael is a career graphic designer and illustrator whose work has been used all over the world for such clients as Business Week Magazine, McGraw Hill Publishers and British Airways Magazine. For the last 22 years he's been a professor of graphic design and illustration at St. Lawrence College. He's been exhibiting his fine art for over 40 years. In addition to being a teacher, Michael is also an author and professional speaker.

This show should provide something for everyone: abstracts, landscapes and sculpture. That much variety of style is unusual in a solo exhibit, but Michael has wide interests and these are reflected in his art. "I paint landscapes because there's something about the harmony and tranquility of nature that feeds the soul.

"I paint abstracts because non-representational art gives a different kind of viewer experience. It can allow more free association than when looking at representational art. One can relate to it on a visceral level and find beauty in the color and form alone, without the distraction of subject matter. Moreover, with non-representational art it is also possible to render subjects that would otherwise be invisible, like emotions, feelings and abstract concepts.

"I've had people say that looking at my work is like a peaceful, almost a spiritual experience, and that feeling seems to increase the longer they look at it. To me that's the highest compliment I could receive."

To see some of the work that will be displayed in the show, visit: http://MichaelShumate.com/show.html

Contact:
Michael Shumate, BFA, RGD
michael@MichaelShumate.com
613-767-9147 (cell)
613-384-5019

Job posting: imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival

Interim Executive Director, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, Toronto
Deadline: July 10, 2009

The imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival is seeking an Interim Executive Director.

The annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival - the largest festival of its kind in Canada - is seeking a dynamic self-starter for a key executive role. Now entering its tenth year, imagineNATIVE is an international showcase for Indigenous film, video, radio, new media, and installation art. Located in a beautiful arts-focused building at 401 Richmond Street West in Toronto, imagineNATIVE is a community-based festival committed to the development and promotion of Indigenous artists and their work. This is an amazing opportunity to be a part of a successful, growing organization that has become one of the leaders in Toronto's vibrant independent film festival scene. The role will offer a high profile in the arts and Aboriginal communities and the candidate will nurture and develop key contacts within the film and media industries, as well as both the public and private sectors.

Please send resume and cover letter to info@imagineNATIVE.org, with job title in the subject line.

Parks Canada Art Contest