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Feature Show

February Feature Show

Micki Findlay presents ‘Digital PhotoArt with Pizzazz’

The Nanaimo Arts Council is pleased to feature the work of Micki Findlay, Vancouver Island photographer, through the month of February.

The show is entitled ‘Digital PhotoArt with Pizzazz. Micki is an award-winning, creative, freestyle 'photo-artist' who has a passion for the arts.  Her most cherished art forms include the theatre, music, jewelry design and computer graphics. She was to discover, later on in life, that she possessed a love for photography after receiving a digital camera from her husband. Micki has an excellent eye for artistic detail, while utilizing her computer graphic arts skills, she lovingly pours hours into her craft to perfect it, creating a contemporary, unique, artsy feel to her images. 

Micki has a knack for bringing her images ‘to life’ with her post-processing techniques and use of vibrant colours. Micki notes, “Living on breathtaking Vancouver Island, I am never at a loss for inspiration”. Micki will be onsite, at the gallery, on Wednesday afternoons, from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM, throughout the month of February. For a preview of Micki Findlay's work see www.thesingingphotographer.com.

 The Nanaimo Arts Council gallery is located at #259 in Nanaimo North - Town Centre mall.  For more information call 250.729.3947.

March Feature Shows

Elder's Art Showcase

Calling artists 75 years of age or better. The Nanaimo Arts Council invites you to participate in our Elder's Art Showcase.  A maximum of 3 entries per person will be accepted.  Download an Elder's Art Showcase entry form for details.  Entry Deadline is February 28, 2010.

Young People's Showcase

Calling sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and cousins too. The Nanaimo Arts Council invites you to participate in our Young People's Showcase. Three age categories: 6 - 9, 10 - 13 and 14 – 18 years.  A maximum of 3 entries per person will be accepted.  Download a Young People's Showcase entry form for details.  Entry Deadline is February 28, 2010.

Receptions and awards presentations for both showcases are March 19th at 1:00 pm at the Nanaimo Arts Council Gallery in The Nanaimo North Town Centre. 

For more information, call the Nanaimo Arts Council at 250.729.3947.

 


Umbrella
The Nanaimo Arts Council's News Letter
January/February 2010 issue is here.

 

2010 Showcase Themes:

April: Shapes

July: Humanity

October: Islands

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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International Poetry Day
March 21, 2010

Enter the Tofu Haiku Poetry Contest - see poster and entry form for details

Obtain your Entry Form Here

Tofu Haiku Poetry Contest Poster
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Arts Based Community Development
 (A-BCD)

In A Different Scale – Nanaimo CORE : Launched

The Nanaimo Arts Council has launched the second phase of the Arts-Based Community Development project with the support of a project grant from the British Columbia Arts Council. The first phase of the project was focused on the core of our city through the visual arts – the creation of a photography based installation by community members and groups with local lead artists. The second phase of the project will also be based in the centre of the city with an emphasis on sound and music.  What might this mean?  The artists who will invite community to explore the potential of this question have now been selected – the skills and experience they bring to the engagement process are outstanding!

The Lead Artist for this Arts-Based Community Development project, In A Different Scale – Nanaimo CORE, is Bill Perison. Perison holds a BFA in Music from York University. His skills and abilities include: singer, pianist, composer - choral and instrumental; recording engineer; and music technology consultant. He is co-author of the book, Circle of Sound Voice Education, (Boosey & Hawkes 2005). The book describes contemplative approaches to singing through Meditation, Movement and Vocalization. Bill is also a freelance music educator (children and adults) who focuses on body work as it connects to music making and creating group compositions.

Bill notes that within the context of creative process, “Music can be described as 'organized sound'. I intend to help participants raise their awareness of the sounds around us and to find ways of organizing found sounds combined with composed (intentional sound) into a unique collage that increases the awareness in the hearer of their role in the creation of our community culture.”

Bill’s extensive training and background in martial arts, mediative practice, and sound/web technologies invite the NAC team to consider questions and perspectives to appraoch the “In A Differentc Scale”  project, “We create sound everyday. Where does it go? How does it affect others in this community? As we learn to listen to that  outside ourselves we are better able to listen to that inside ourselves. When we can  hear with greater acuity we are better able to hear others' points of view and also better able to share our own. My background in connective bodywork coupled with experience drawing out peoples’ musical essense and combining with a deep understanding of technology will allow a diverse group of people to  participate in both recorded and live events.”

The development and execution of the  live and recorded events will be co-lead by an exceptional group of local artists who will start work on the project in January 2010.  The artists bring together skill sets that range from leading formal choirs to improvisation with large groups; piano and flute playing expertise to masterclass drum making, on-site technical assistance for musical events, production and post production audio work, community radio experience, event promotion, and participation in the sound ecology movement. The Nanaimo Arts Council is pleased to welcome co-lead artists: Steve Rush, Tamara Martella, Dave Roth, Leah Hokanson and Tim Mills to this Arts-Based Community Development project.  

The project will have organizational support and logistical contribution from NAC President, Rosina Solylo and NAC Manager, Odette Laramee. We look forward to engagement with NAC members, local Arts and Community organizations, individuals, groups, businesses, and public sector workers who are involved in Nanaimo’s CORE. For further information contact Odette at the gallery 250.729.3947 or the NAC Community-Arts-Space 250.619.0331.

 

 


 

 


Creative Currents 

 

The Nanaimo Arts Council is very pleased to announce that we are offering a monthly series of presentations entitled CREATIVE CURRENTS. 

Please register at the Nanaimo Arts Council Gallery. 250 729-3947.

Free admission.  Creative Currents sessions are held at the Harbourfront library.

February Creative Currents feature:

 February 13, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the Harbourfront Library

Dance: An integral part of India's living heritage and culture
 with Kamal Parmar

 The Nanaimo Arts Council is pleased to host Creative Currents on February 13th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Harbourfront Library.  This session will be lead by Kamal Parmar. The title of the event is Dance: An integral part of India's living heritage and culture.

 India is a land of rich cultural heritage which is reflected in its grand festivals, its breathtaking architecture, its luxuriant silks and exquisite jewellery and crafts. Dance is one of the myriad forms of performing arts that also form an integral part of its culture. India's vast subcontinent has given birth to various forms of dance. These have been preserved in there pristine forms through centuries. Dance has become India's living heritage and its pride and delight.

 Kamal, a writer and poet, has always been fascinated by the finer nuances of dance. During this Creative Currents session she will walk you through the various forms of Indian dance and present a slide-show. The fluidity of movement, and grace as well as the body language are sure to be a visual treat for all.

 For more information visit nanaimoartscouncil.ca or call 250.729.3947.  This arts and cultural event is offered free of charge to all community members and visitors.

 


 

Click here for Creative Currents
2009-10 program


Vancouver Island Short Film Festival

 

VISFF 2010 – Short List Announced

 After several months of preparation and promotion, followed by a thorough judging process, thirteen films have been selected for the 5th annual Nanaimo Arts Council - Vancouver Island Short Film Festival.

This year we were flooded with great original short films. Over the past weeks, a three person jury selected 13 films that will be shown at the festival on February 12th and 13th - 7 PM - at the  Malaspina Theatre at the Nanaimo VIU campus. The festival will include a screening of the 13 selected films and an awards ceremony for best films in several categories with prizes for winning filmmakers.

“The quality of storytelling, technical aptitude and artistry is improving every year,” said VISFF director Johnny Blakeborough.“This made the task of narrowing all of the short films submitted down to the 13 that we will show on February 12th and 13th extremely challenging. This was the hardest year to choose a limited number of films for the festival. There are so many talented filmmakers in our community and we are very excited to give them an opportunity to showcase their work.”

The selected films include Boingo Boingo by Mark Benard, Come Clean by Alina Cerminara, Desolation by Steve Harrison, Detective Fawkes and the Victem's Vixen by Todd Jones, Mercenary Soluctions by Graham Stark, Riboflavin by Blair Dykes, Smothered by Linley Subryan, The Button by Jeremy Klassen, The Mechanic by Michael Grand, The Nastiworths by Kristina Durst, The New Dad's Survival Guide by Michael Chen, The Piano Player's Sister by Tash Baycroft & John Gardiner and The Secret of the Sauce by Graham Stark.

All types of short films were accepted for consideration into the festival. All films had to be 10 minutes or less to be considered.  “Our main goal is to turn the spotlight on our talented local filmmakers,” says Blakeborough. “More than anything, this festival is for them. It’s an opportunity to show their films in front of a large audience.”

Tickets are available in the Nanaimo Arts Council Gallery in Nanaimo North Town Centre, Falconer Books at Port Place Mall, the Nanaimo Art Gallery at the VIU campus, the House of Indigo Boutique in downtown Nanaimo and at the door. Tickets are $15.

The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is a Nanaimo Arts Council event. The Nanaimo Arts Council is dedicated to the promotion, development and support of all the arts in Nanaimo and area. Information on the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is available on the website at www.visff.com. For more information, contact admin@visff.com or phone 250-729-3947.

 


 
 

Short fiction contest

The Nanaimo Arts Council is pleased to announce the launch of the 6th annual Nanaimo Short Fiction Contest. This event is held in cooperation with Vancouver Island University – Creative Writing and Journalism Department. Local writers of all ages, living on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, are invited to submit original stories of up to 2,000 words in junior, youth and adult categories. Cash prizes will be awarded. The deadline for entries is March 1, 2010. Entry fee is $15 per submission.

 Judith Millar, one of the 2009 winners of the Nanaimo Short Fiction Contest, expanded upon her submission and went on to receive the 2009 John Kenneth Galbraith Literary Award. Her story ‘The Insomniac’ tells of a man whose life unravels when he is unable to sleep.

 Entry forms for the Nanaimo Short Fiction Contest are available at the Nanaimo Arts Council gallery #259 Nanaimo North – Town Centre or online here.

 



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Nanaimo Arts Council -
Achievement Awards 2010

  

Awards Available for Arts Students:  All Disciplines - All Ages

 

 Application forms are now available for the Nanaimo Arts Council’s annual Achievement Awards. These awards are designed to assist individuals of any age and discipline to further their Arts Education.

 The awards are open to all areas of the arts - performing, literary, visual, etc. Many former award winners have gone on to successful careers as professional artists.

 Application forms are available at nanaimoartscouncil.ca or the Nanaimo Arts Council #259 Nanaimo North - Town Centre. Forms must be filled out and submitted with all supporting documentation by March 15, 2010. A shortlist will be made, followed by interviews in April.  Download an application form here

 In 2009, the Nanaimo Arts Council awarded four thousand dollars to students for studies in music, design, writing, dance, animation, film studies, etc.

 For more information, contact the Nanaimo Arts Council at 250.729.3947 or email admin@nanaimoartscouncil.ca.




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