Tuesday, September 30, 2008

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: The Images Festival (April 2-11, 2009, deadline: Oct 31 2008, late entry-Nov 14)


SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT to the 2009 IMAGES FESTIVAL!


Deadline: October 31

The Images Festival is now accepting FILM/VIDEO and GUEST CURATOR submissions for consideration for the 22nd Festival which runs April 2-11, 2009 in Toronto.

About the Images Festival:
The Images Festival is the largest festival in North America for experimental and independent media, showcasing the innovative edge of international contemporary media art both on and off the screen. From Super-8 and hand-tinted celluloid to the latest video art, Images has presented thousands of films and media based projects since 1988. Toronto's 2nd oldest film festival also presents groundbreaking live performances and media art installations by many renowned Canadian and international artists. We go out of our way and over the edge to provide Toronto with an annual extravaganza of image making. Attended by more than 30,000 people each year, the Images Festival is a critical forum for the independent media arts in Canada and around the world. We look forward to learning about your projects!

The kinds of projects we present:
For 21 years, the Images Festival has exhibited and encouraged the work of artists producing film and video outside of mainstream commercial production, distribution systems and aesthetic conventions. Images is committed to an expanded concept of film and video practice: alongside its film and video screenings, the festival embraces a wide variety of practices, including performances, installations and new media. In addition to the international competition programs drawn from submissions to the festival, Images includes artists' retrospectives, national and regional cinema spotlights, and special curated programs.

The details and fine print:
The deadline for submitting works to the 22nd edition of the Images Festival is October 31, 2008 (with a late entry deadline of November 14, higher fees apply).

NO SUBMISSION FEES FOR STUDENTS!

Use our ONLINE ENTRY FORM and get a special discounted entry fee if you submit online before October 31!

***Screening fees (artist fees) paid for all works presented***

Applications now being accepted for:
Film and Video (general program and student section)
Curatorial proposals (film/video programs)
Please note that Installation, Performance and New Media submissions are no longer being accepted for the 2008 festival.

Links to entry forms & guidelines:
Full guidelines and entry forms (in PDF format) can be downloaded from:
http://www.imagesfestival.com under "SUBMIT", or directly at
http://www.imagesfestival.com/call.php?id=8

Cliquez ici pour l'appel de soumissions:
http://www.imagesfestival.com/call.php?id=11


PROGRAMMERS & CURATORS PLEASE READ:
In addition to submissions from film/videomakers, the Images Festival welcomes curatorial proposals from the public.
Please read the bilingual call and guidelines on the festival website here:
http://www.imagesfestival.com/call.php?id=10

If you are unable to download any of these files, you may request this
document in PDF format from: submissions [@] imagesfestival.com


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE IMAGES FESTIVAL is made possible thanks to our gracious operating funders:
The Canada Council for the Arts, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Ontario Arts Council,
Telefilm Canada and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contact:
THE IMAGES FESTIVAL
448 - 401 Richmond Street West
Toronto. Ontario M5V 3A8 CANADA
416.971.8405
submissions [@] imagesfestival.com

Monday, September 29, 2008

CRAFTY HAPPENING: Scotiabank Nuit Blanche at the Ontario College of Art & Design (Oct 4, 7pm-Oct 5,7am)

from KC Adams’s Cyborg Hybrid Accessories series

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche at the Ontario College of Art & Design

Useless Beauty: Notions of Beauty and Utility

Saturday, October 4, 6:52 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday, October 5

Ontario College of Art & Design

Lobby, Auditorium and Great Hall, 100 McCaul Street

Useless Beauty, curated by OCAD Professor Johanna Householder and Jennifer Rudder, features work by artists KC Adams, Lois Andison and David Krippendorff that addresses notions of hybridity, gender, race, beauty, utility and fashion. The exhibition is presented in part as a response to ORLAN'S week-long residency at OCAD (part of the OCAD Professional Gallery's Nomadic Residents program), and her video reading, presented at approximately 9 p.m.

Nomadic Resident: ORLAN

Video Reading, 9 p.m.

Auditorium, 100 McCaul Street

From plastic surgery interventions and performances to photography and digital works, ORLAN has been a formidable presence in contemporary art for over four decades. Since the 1960s, her work has transcended the numerous "posts" and "isms" of the art world's different movements, all the while interrogating our bodies and identities, questioning art's relation to life, and testing the lines between the real and the virtual.

ORLAN joins OCAD as its third artist-in-residence in its Nomadic Residents program from September 29 to October 3, presenting a free public lecture on Tuesday, September 30, 6:30 p.m. For details and additional information about ORLAN, please visit www.ocad.ca.

Design for the Other 90%

OCAD Professional Gallery (Level 2, 100 McCaul Street)

Interactive treadle pump display (Butterfield Park)

Reception: October 4, 2008, 6:52 pm

Organized by the New York-based Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and curated by Cynthia E. Smith, Design for the Other 90% explores a growing movement among designers to design low-cost solutions for the "other 90%" — that is, the 5.8 billion people (out of the world's total population of 6.5 billion people) who have little or no access to most of the products and services many of us take for granted. Design for the Other 90% looks at how individuals and organizations are finding unique ways to address the basic challenges of survival and progress — for example, nearly half of the other 90% do not have regular access to food, clean water, or shelter.

Do Not Play on or Around

Transit Space (Level 2, 100 McCaul Street)

Reception: October 4, 8 to 10 p.m.

On exhibition until October 10

Printmaking student James Gauvreau presents a mixed-media exhibit examining urban street art as a practice that has emerged out of graffiti and vandalism to evolve into a legitimate form of cultural expression.


Before I Forget

OCAD Student Gallery (285 Dundas Street West)

On exhibition until October 5

The OCAD Student Gallery presents work by Integrated Media students Jo Alcampo, Liam Crockard, Dylin North and Steve Shaddick, curated by Matthew Williamson, which surveys the vagaries of memory via digital technology through web-based archiving, live video environments, interactive sound sculpture and video installation.


Sketching Beauty

Butterfield Park at OCAD

OCAD's Alumni Association invites Nuit Blanche revelers to participate in Sketching Beauty, an all-night sketch crawl. Participants can gather sketching materials in Butterfield Park, and return their drawings to OCAD later in the evening for display during the event.

GET SCHOOLED: C1 art space (fall 2008)

click to enlarge

C1 art space
::Upcoming Classes Fall 2008::
Schedule Available Online at http://www.c1artspace.com

:: ADULT CLASSES::

CERAMICS: SILK SCREENING AND CLAY with Audrey Hudson
Learn two techniques in one class! Discover simple handbuilding techniques in clay and learn silk screening methods to transfer imagery onto your clay pieces. Whether simple designs, text or your own drawings see the possibilities of silk screening glaze decoration. No silk screening experience necessary although experience with clay is an asset.
$185 (materials and taxes included)
Tuesdays, September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28 from 7 to 9:30pm

CERAMICS: WHEEL THROWING with Ramona Antaya
Level 1

Learn the basics in wheel throwing techniques to produce cylinders with various functions. A range of decorating methods will be covered. Suitable for all levels of experience these focused workshops are limited to four students at a time.
$145 (materials and taxes included)
Wednesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22 from 7 to 9:30pm
Level 2
Expand on your basic knowledge of throwing on the pottery wheel. Further projects demonstrate the techniques involved in adding on pieces, such as handles and spouts. Underglaze decoration is also covered. Small classes.
$145 (materials and taxes included)
Wednesdays, November 5,12,19, 26 from 7 to 9:30pm

DRAWING BASICS with Paul Turner
This course will introduce the student to basic drawing techniques using still life. Working from different shaped boxes, jars, orbs and containers, they will learn the principles of form, composition, proportion, line and shading. Student will also be introduced to various drawing implements and papers.
$185 (materials and taxes included) 5 sessions
Mondays, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 20, 27, Nov. 3 from 7-9:30pm
(no class Thanksgiving Oct.13)

PERSPECTIVE DRAWING with Paul Turner
Learn to solve any perspective problem. This course will cover one and two point perspective for basic and advanced artists. There will be practical applications, specifically on how to translate sketches to a finished drawing on canvas. Understand concepts in depth and learn tricks and tips that will help you in your own studio practice.
$110 (materials and taxes included) 3 sessions
Mondays, November 10, 17, 24 from 7-9:30pm

ENCAUSTIC with Graham Curry
Encaustic is a drawing and painting medium using molten wax as paint, mixing medium and preparatory surface. This workshop offers an overview of the medium covering basic techniques, safety issues, and encaustic's versatility in relation to collage and oil painting, printing techniques and sculpture.
$150 (materials and taxes included)
Thursdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23 from 7 to 9:30pm

ACRYLIC PAINTING with Graham Curry
Learn and develop painting techniques using acrylic paint and mediums while focusing on the elements of design. Discover how to render form, light, space and colour through various exercises including still life composition or the practice of copying Old Master paintings to produce a finished piece. For beginner and intermediate levels.
$215(materials and taxes included) 6 sessions
Thursdays, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec.4 from 7-9:30pm

COLLAGE with artist Sandra Tarantino
This workshop looks at various mediums and tools used in the creation of collage works. Techniques include the use of photocopying, transfer printing, glazing, found objects and built surfaces when combined with more traditional drawing and painting media, 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional objects.
$145 (materials and taxes included)
Saturdays, November 15, 22, 29 from 1 to 4:30pm

SCREEN PRINTING
Create your own one of a kind designs on paper and fabric. Projects presented in class include single and multi-colour printing. Learn the fundamentals of photo-screenprinting techniques (photo emulsion method) to develop skills through colour separation, creating editions and monoprints or be creative through experimentation with stencil methods, drawing fluid and pastels. These workshops provide information on how to set up a silk screening studio at home. No printmaking experience is required. For beginner and intermediate levels.
$150 (materials and taxes included)
Weekend
Saturday & Sunday, October 4 & 5 from 1 to 6pm
Evenings
Tuesdays, November 4, 11, 18, 25 from 7 to 9:30pm

C1 art space
44 Ossington Avenue, just North of Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6J 2Y7
416 538-7999
http://www.c1artspace.com
info@c1artspace.com
Gallery Hours: Thursday-Saturday 12 to 6pm, Sunday 1 to 5pm
(closed Mon to Wed- open by appointment)

GET SCHOOLED: Phoenix Arts Group Workshops (Fall dates)

Introductory Painting Classes
Saturday October 4th 2:00-3:30 $30 per class/includes materials

Ongoing Saturday Adult Painting Classes
September 27th
Saturday 2:00-3:30 $30 per class/includes materials

Felting Class (Felt Necklace)
Sunday October 19 12:00-3:00 p.m. $45 per class, includes materials


To register call or email Kathie Young
416-304-0647 33 Harbour Square phoenixartsgroup@hotmail.com


The Art programs are held in schools, retirement homes and corporations in the US and in Ontario, recently offering classes at: Donway Place, Massey Center, Ontario Early Years Centre, Hazelton Place, St Andrew's College and Torys LLP.

GET SCHOOLED: Fall/Winter courses & workshops at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre (Fall/winter 2008-9)

click to enlarge


Cedar Ridge Creative Centre
is a vibrant arts and cultural hub housed in a historic mansion. Built as a family home in 1912, Cedar Ridge is surrounded by lush gardens and scenic woods with a variety of walking trails.

The centre is home to the Cedar Ridge Gallery, which is programmed with a diverse roster of exhibitions from September to June.
Cedar Ridge offers a variety of ten-week art programs for adults, including:
Watercolours, Portrait Painting, Drawing & Painting, Drawing Fundamentals, Wildlife Art, Pottery, Sculpture, Weaving, Knitting, Botanical Art and Stained Glass.

More experienced artists are invited to enjoy Cedar Ridge's studio space, and to work in the company of other artists in an open studio format. This non-instructional time offers an opportunity to sculpt, spin, weave, and paint in a studio with other artists.

To compliment our course offerings, Cedar Ridge programs a variety of special interest workshops each session. These include:
Japanese woodblock printmaking, felting and dying, cookie and
cupcake decorating, holiday cards and more.


Check out Cedar Ridge Creative Centre's fall and winter course offerings at www.toronto.ca/culture/cedar_ridge.htm.

Registration for these programs begins on September 14, 2008, with the fall session starting on September 27, 2008. To register, or for more information, call 416.396.4026.

Cedar Ridge Creative Centre is located at 225 Confederation Drive, Scarborough. The centre is TTC accessible. Parking is free.

CRAFTY HAPPENING: upArt Contemporary Art Fair (Exhibition-Oct 2-5, preview-Oct 2, opening-Oct 3)


UPART CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR - OPENING RECEPTION

upArt is a new annual contemporary art fair. upArt will transform the entire second floor of the Gladstone Hotel with site specific installations produced specifically for this event and reflecting the diversity of contemporary art practices.

upArt 2008 presents artists, galleries and curated projects. This event is produced by the Gladstone Hotel and co-curated by Chris Mitchell and Jade Rude. This is not a salon style art fair!


Gala - FRIDAY, OCT 3, 2008
7PM-10PM 2nd Floor $7.00 (includes catalogue)

Thursday October 2 to Sunday October 5, 2008 (Event coincides with Toronto International Art Fair and Scotia Bank Nuit Blanche)

Exhibition hours:

PREVIEW Thurs Oct 2 4pm - 8pm

Fri Oct 3 12pm - 11pm
Sat Oct 4 12pm - 12am (free admission from 7pm-12am during Scotia Bank Nuit Blanche)
Sun Oct 5 12pm - 5pm

Gala Reception

Fri Oct 3 7 - 11pm – with live performances and DJ
Exhibition Entry $7.00 (includes catalogue)

upArt is a new annual contemporary art fair. upArt will transform the entire second floor of the Gladstone hotel with site specific installations produced specifically for this event and reflecting the diversity of contemporary art practices.

upArt 2008 presents artists, galleries and curated projects. This event is produced by the Gladstone Hotel and co-curated by Chris Mitchell and Jade Rude. This is not a salon style art fair!

TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

hello! gentle readers, it's been a while! so it's monday morning at the water cooler, what's the crafty gossip? who's going to check out Nuit Blanche and which exhibits are you planning on seeing? have you started a Halloween costume or decorations (or maybe Christmas decorations and gifts)?
as part of the Toronto Craft Alert's goal to galvanize the city's craft community, we'd like to get a bit of a discussion going. discuss any crafty topic you like... we'll be re-posting this thread every monday morning, so that the discussions can continue in the comments section of this post.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

HELP WANTED: 6 Tenure-Track Faculty Positions at the Faculty of Fine Art, Concordia University (deadline: Nov 17, 2008)


CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

6 Tenure-Track Faculty Positions Available in
the Faculty of Fine arts

Deadline for all positions: November 17, 2008

Concordia University's Faculty of Fine Arts is unique in Canada. We offer, in a single faculty, an unparalleled range of visual and performing arts programs across nine departments and three research institutes.

More than 3,400 students are enrolled in 53 undergraduate and graduate programs, benefiting from the Faculty's vibrant cross-disciplinary environment and extensive partnerships in Montreal's rich cultural community.


We have experienced considerable growth since 1996, with a large increase in student enrolment, construction of state-of-the-art facilities, increased external research funding and vigorous faculty renewal. Six new graduate programs are under development.

We invite you to apply for the following positions:

* Art Therapy Tenure-Track Faculty Position
* Ceramics Tenure-Track Faculty Position
* Design Tenure-Track Faculty Position
* Film Animation Tenure-Track Faculty Position
* Film Studies Tenure-Track Faculty Position
* Music Therapy Tenure-Track Faculty Position

For more information visit:
http://www.concordia.ca/about/jobopportunities/faculty/fa/


Visit the Faculty of Fine Arts website.

CRAFT SHOW & WORKSHOPS: Sew Be It Studios at the Clothing Show (Sep 26-28) & Creativ Festival (Oct 17-19)


SEW BE IT STUDIO
will be at The Clothing Show this fall

... Toronto's Weekend Shopping Event.

September 26-28


Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place

Shop from over 300 booths, showcasing independent designers, retailers and artisans from across Ontario.

and Take a Paws in your shopping.... Stop by our booth for a quick sewing lesson and make a cat or dog bed for The Toronto Humane Society. More information and Advanced tickets at http://www.theclothingshow.com/


SEW BE IT STUDIO
will also be at
The Creativ Festival in October.


October 17, 18 & 19


Metro Toronto Convention Centre
, South Building, Halls D & C
Friday: 10am - 8pm
Saturday: 10am - 6pm

Sunday: 10am - 5pm

and Take a Paws in your shopping....Stop by our booth for a quick sewing lesson and make a cat or dog bed for The Toronto Humane Society

Our workshops at the Creativ Festival:


Fashion Illustration Workshop (25) Beginner

Saturday: 1pm - 4pm

Fashion Illustration is more than just drawing. It is the main form of communication for fashion and costume designers. In this introductory workshop learn how to draw the human form, proportion, how to depict fabric properties, patterns and more. Let's get your design ideas onto paper. Bring: Sketchbook, pencils, eraser, pencil crayons.

Corset Workshop (25) Intermediate - Advanced

Thursday: 1pm - 5pm
Learn the fundamental construction techniques to make the perfect corset. You will have the chance to see why the corset is often considered wearable art. Learn techniques for flat mounting, boning and finishing as you make a sample half corset in class. Kit $45


Knits & Starts: Casting On & Binding Off (25) Beginner

Friday: 1pm - 2:30pm
Allison Covey shares a variety of cast-ons and bind-offs that will enhance the function and appearance of your hand knits. Explore provisional cast-ons, stretchy, decorative and matched edges and learn to choose the best methods for your projects. Bring: Any size needles & appropriate weight yarn.


More or Less: Increasing & Decreasing (25) Intermediate

Saturday: 1pm - 2:30

Sample a variety of increases and decreases for hand knitting. Explore with Allison methods from the decorative to the invisible and learn which to use when. Bring: Any size needles & appropriate weight yarn.


For more information, advance tickets and registration for the workshops, please visit http://www.csnf.com

GET SCHOOLED: Harbourfront Courses & Workshops (fall 2008)


Feed your creativity. Make time for you. Learn by the lake.

Harbourfront Centre is excited to offer a diverse and engaging line-up of contemporary culture courses throughout the fall and winter months. Adults can learn to paint; explore the world of circus arts; tour the city's culinary neighbourhoods; join a book club, and much more! Harbourfront Centre's Courses & Workshops are affordable and provide a perfect environment for you to learn, and expand your social circle with like-minded individuals at Toronto's leading arts and cultural centre.
Adult art classes
Photography
Literature
Dance classes
Architecture of Toronto
Culinary Toronto
Fashion drawing
Circus
Podcasting
Create a web site
and much more!

Details are at: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/learn/courses

Class size is limited, so register now to reserve your space!
Call 416-973-4093.

Harbourfront Centre: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
www.harbourfrontcentre.com

Thursday, September 25, 2008

CRAFTY CHAT: OCAD sponsored free talk by artist, ORLAN (Sep 30 2008, 6:30pm)

The Ontario College of Art & Design Faculty of Art
with support from Partners in Art and the Consulate General of France in Toronto
presents


A free public talk by Nomadic Resident: ORLAN
Tuesday, September 30, 6:30 p.m.

Ontario College of Art & Design
Auditorium (Rm 190), 100 McCaul Street, Toronto
www.ocad.ca | 416-977-6000

Seating is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guests are advised to arrive early.

From plastic surgery interventions and performances to photography and digital works, ORLAN has been a formidable presence in contemporary art for over four decades. Since the 1960s, her work has transcended the numerous "posts" and "isms" of the art world's different movements, all the while interrogating our bodies and identities, questioning art's relation to life, and testing the lines between the real and the virtual.

CRAFTY HAPPENING: Puces Pop marketplace (Sat Oct 4 & Sun Oct 5, 2008 - 11am-7pm)



The leaves are on the ground, there's a chill is in the air….

what else can this mean than that the fall Puces Pop marketplace is just around the corner?
Specifically, just around the corner and down the steps at
105 St. Viateur in the venerable St. Michel Church Hall.

Art collectives, jewelers, fashion designers, screen printers, cake makers, toy creators, puppeteers, fanzine editors, soap makers, stationary designers, knitters, bookmakers, home accessory designers - phew! - will be among the one hundred plus creative types participating.
When? Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5, from 11 am - 7 pm.

For details, visit www.puces.popmontreal.com

VENDOR CALL: Nuit Blanche Designers Market (Show starts at 7pm Oct 4-sunrise Oct 5, vendor deadline: Sep 29 2008)



Okay people, this is something to get EXCITED about!

This year The Purple Thumb will be hosting a Nuit Blanche Designers Market.

For those of you who are not familiar with this free all night contemporary art thing… It starts at 6:52pm on October 4th and goes until sunrise. Museums, Galleries and Neighborhood Shops will be open for about 80,000+ to explore.

The Purple Thumb is looking for crafters & designers to be a vendor at this year must do show. The set up is quite unique… You get a store in the West Queen West, the Art & Design District and share it with 12 other vendors. Space is limited.

If you are interested in taking part in this opportunity
please
contact Jamie at 647-349-1009 or thepurplethumb@hotmail.com

Kind Regards,

Jamie - Owner/Designer ~* The Purple Thumb *~
Tel/Fax: 647-349-1009
E-mail: thepurplethumb@hotmail.com
Web: www.thepurplethumb.weebly.com
1887 Queen Street East + 1020 Queen Street West, Toronto

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: The Bookmark Project 2008: Insert (deadline Oct.10)



CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 10, 2008

The Bookmark Project 2008: Insert
Part of FLEX… an ongoing program of site-works and interventions at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre, organized by the Koffler Gallery of the Koffler Centre of the Arts


November 2 to 10, 2008
Reception: November 3, 6 – 8 PM
Guest Curator: Liya HyunJoo Choi
Held in conjunction with the 32nd Annual Jewish Book Fair
Leah Posluns Theatre Lobby, Bathurst Jewish Community Centre, 4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto

For the seventh year in a row, the Koffler Gallery is organizing The Bookmark Project, an intervention of artist-designed bookmarks concurrent with the annual Jewish Book Fair organized by the Koffler Centre of the Arts. This year's theme, Insert, explores the interplay between the reader and the bookmark in the act of reading. The reader inserts him/herself into a book, activating it with their emotions, memories, and thoughts. When the reader pauses, the act of inserting a bookmark tangibly signals a temporary exit while simultaneously indexing the point of re-entry into the text. As an insert, the bookmark becomes a place holder for the reader's hands, eyes, and thoughts, marking territory and preserving their intimate relationship with the book. Denoting the reader's absence, the bookmark's presence echoes their memory inside the book. Upon returning, the reader once again replaces the bookmark in order to immerse back into the text. The act of reading therefore proceeds in the continual interchange between the reader and the bookmark, initiated and sustained by the process of 'inserting'.

Both unique bookmarks and multiples created by fine art students and practicing artists will be introduced into the 8,000 books on display during the Koffler's 32nd Annual Jewish Book Fair held in the Leah Posluns Theatre Lobby at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre, Toronto, November 2 to 10, 2008. The event draws an attendance of approximately 10,000. The bookmarks will also be on display in the Koffler Gallery showcase through November.

Bookmarks for the intervention should be functional and should not damage or scratch the books on display. Artists are requested to submit two original bookmarks: one for the public intervention that will not be returned, and one for display in the showcase. Artists whose bookmarks are selected for this project will receive a nominal artist fee, the amount of which is dependent on the number of participating artists. Fees will be issued by mail within 30 days of the close of the exhibition.

The Koffler Gallery is not responsible for the loss or damage of bookmarks submitted for consideration or those selected to participate in The Bookmark Project. The bookmarks will not be insured by the Koffler Gallery while on the Gallery's premises or in its keeping.
IMAGE AT TOP: The Bookmark Project 2007: Parallax, installation detail. Photo: Isaac Applebaum.

Deadline for submissions extended to October 10, 2008
Results will be announced shortly afterwards.


SUBMISSION FORM
The Bookmark Project 2008: Insert

Submission Form (Please complete a form for each entry):
Name:
Mailing Address:
City:
Postal Code:
Telephone:
Fax:
Email Address:

Please include:

A) A short written statement identifying the relationship of your bookmark to the project theme, the form and the function of the bookmark, and materials used;
B) An artist statement describing your practice;
C) A curriculum vitae detailing your education and exhibition history;
D) Recent reviews, where applicable; and
E) A self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your submission.

Please note:

A) Bookmarks for the intervention should be functional, and not damage or scratch the books on display. Artists are requested to submit two original bookmarks, one for the intervention that will not be returned, and one for display in the showcase.
B) The Koffler Gallery is not responsible for the loss or damage of bookmarks submitted for consideration or those used during The Bookmark Project.
C) Bookmarks will not be insured by the Koffler Gallery while on the gallery's premises or in its keeping.

For more information, please see www.kofflerarts.org
or contact Liya HyunJoo Choi at bookmarkproject2008@gmail.com

Forward submissions by mail to:
The Bookmark Project 2008
Attention: Liya HyunJoo Choi
The Koffler Gallery
Koffler Centre of the Arts
4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2R 1W6

Tel. (416) 636-1880 x268; Fax (416) 636-5813

CRAFTY BIZ: Tank Jewelry & Beads Grand Opening (Sept.27)

We'd like to invite you to come & help us celebrate our new shop...
and just in case you need a little more incentive, we'll have home-baked treats!
Hope you can come.

Amy Johnson & Jill Cribbin
www.ehmeglass.com
www.tankstudio.blogspot.com
www.ehmeglass.etsy.com

STUDIO SPACE/ CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: The Production House

Via Akimbo
CREATIVE STUDIO SPACE FOR RENT
IN TORONTO'S NEW ARTS DISTRICT

CALL FOR SUBMISSION - ART EXHIBITION : PERIPHERAL

The Production House

***$1.00 per square foot (all inclusive)***

The Production House is a new art building development in New Toronto and has been described as "wild" and "definitely needed" by artist Andy Fabo. This exciting new arts building in New Toronto (S. Etobicoke) is receiving a great deal of industry buzz and support. It gives artists access to brilliantly envisioned but affordable creative space. This eclectic environment is ideal for art production that challenges and expands the role of contemporary art in Toronto and beyond.

Don't miss the chance to secure a truly creative space, without the fear of condo/loft conversion!!!

The Production House answers the city's need for vibrant and affordable spaces for creative work. It features 45,000 square feet of space, up to 21 foot ceilings and plans for a massive rooftop venue for the arts. This 'CREATIVE LANDMARK' addresses a strong need in the market place. It is a place where you can create and display your work with no distraction and access the downtown core in minutes by car or transit.

Say goodbye to expensive cubicles, parking tickets and organizations that stifle creativity and the creative process. Say hello to a new chapter in the illustrious history of creative spaces in Toronto. Finally, a designated building committed to affordable and hip creative studio space. Build out your unit and shape the space to service your exact needs.

We at The Production House want you to become an integral part of this historical landmark.

There are many great studios available starting from $300 a month. With 14 to 21 foot ceilings this is an ideal space for art organizations, photographers, artists, ad agencies, film and creative studios. 1, 3, 5 and 10 year leases are available.

Units available on both main and second floors:

1,380 sq ft
2,073 sq ft
2,500 sq ft
6,500 sq ft

Over 75% of the units were scooped up within weeks of launching. Now, in month three, we are releasing the last remaining units. They are sure to go fast...so don't miss out. Call and schedule a time to come down.


CALL FOR SUBMISSION - ART EXHIBITION : PERIPHERAL

The Production House in conjunction with our media sponsor The Samurai Group, welcomes you to be an integral part of this historical landmark and its official launch taking place one month starting November 15th, 2008.

For inquiries concerning volunteering, exhibiting, space rental or for more details and to schedule a visit please contact:

Brian Armstrong at 416-840-0884 ext 250 or 416-879-2448 (cell phone)

CRAFTY HAPPENING: Toronto "Small Press Affair/Mini Fair" (November 1)


The Fall Small Press Affair is Now a Mini-Fair

Because many of you wanted a press fair with a boisterous, party atmosphere, the fall "Small Press Affair" is now going to be an evening mini-fair with entertainment celebrating the sparkling spirit of independent press.

A limited number of tables will be available at the Tranzac Club, so you can sell your wares, network and exchange ideas, while you enjoy readings, music and more.

The spring fair, which is slated for May 30, 2009 at the Miles Nadal JCC, will again be full-fledged daytime event with space for a larger number of tables and a separate room for readings. We're hoping that one (or perhaps even both) of these two different events will suit the style and needs of your press.

Due to limited table space, it's important that you send in your form as soon as you can. Registration Form


The Small Press Affair

When: November 1, 2008

Where: The Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick (south of Bloor)

Time: 6pm -11pm (set up time is 5 pm)


torontosmallpressbookfair@yahoo.ca | www.torontosmallpressbookfair.org


Monday, September 22, 2008

QUESTIONS FOR CRAFTERS MTL: Headquarters Galerie and Boutique

Interview by Pamela Grimaud


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Angie & Tyson


Headquarters Galerie and Boutique is located in Montreal's Gay Village and it's hard to describe how many wonderful things are on display and up for grabs - after paying, of course - in this Amherst Street box o' treats. HQ is the joint labour of love of transplanted Winnipeggers Angie Johnson and Tyson Bodnarchuk, who also craft and create any number of fantastic works independently, too. Under Norwegian Wood, Angie uses vintage fabrics, trims and buttons with modern textiles to create a collection of clothing, jewelry and home accessories. (It was Angie's fireplace log cushions and owls that caught my eye at this summer's Pomme-Pomme Craft and Zine Fair). Tyson not only makes art that can be showcased on your wall or shelf, but worn on your feet or over your arm in the form of handpainted vintage shoes and purses. Angie and Tyson have two dogs Spidey and Mary, and although I wasn't lucky enough to make Spidey's acquaintance, Mary graciously licked my foot numerous times throughout my visit.


Angie, please tell me a bit about yourself...I know you studied art and fashion in Winnipeg, and worked in the fashion industry here in Montreal. I'm curious about what drew you to the fashion industry, then prompted you to break away to pursue your particular take on it. And beyond that, how was Headquarters born?

Whew, that is a a big question! I'll attack it point by point...

Regarding what drew me to the fashion industry, I don't think I can pin it down to one thing, because I've wanted to do it from such a young age. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that my mom sewed for herself, myself and my sister a lot when I was young, so I always looked at making clothing as something very accessible, something that anyone could do it seemed. My grandmothers were also very talented with sewing, crocheting, etc. so I was pretty much surrounded women who were making their own clothing.

So those are the humble beginnings, and it just continued to grow from there. When I was 16 my mom encouraged me to start selling my designs on consignment in some local boutiques. I remember her driving me down to meet with some of them to show my samples and sketches, I wasn't even old enough to drive alone yet! So I started selling in some boutiques, and it just kind of took off. I continued doing that throughout my high school years with a few fashion shows thrown in for fun, then went to the University of Manitoba in the faculty of Human Ecology, focusing on Clothing & Textiles, while still selling my designs in small boutiques. While still in University I got a job at the Silver Jeans head office in Winnipeg, and was lucky enough to work in the design office and was able to learn a lot and get some work experience. I worked there for 2 years in University, then 2 years after I graduated. Then I met Tyson and all hell broke loose. Tyson was moving to Montreal, and I had always wanted to move to Montreal, so we decided to move together. Five years later, we're still here.

I quickly found a job as an assistant designer here in Montreal, and then had an opportunity to work at another company as the head designer, so decided to move on. In April of this year [the line I was working on] shut down , at which point I got laid off. Luckily the owner and I worked together closely, and he warned me about this change in advance so I had some time to think about what I wanted to do. I decided that this was the perfect kick in the butt to start supporting myself off of my own designs, so that's just what I did.

Going back in time 3 years, though is the beginning of the Headquarters story. because we planned the store, applied for grants, got our funding in place and did other preparatory things for a whole year before opening it. Tyson was working summers as a landscaper, breaking his back, and we started talking about other options for him, and opening our own store/gallery was something we had each thought about a lot. We decided we needed to stop talking about it, and start working on it, so we did. It took a lot of work writing the business plan, applying for grants, researching suppliers, etc. but I don't think we would still be here if we hadn't planned it out well. We did not have a truckload of cash to burn when starting out this venture (still don't!) so we had to be really sure about where every penny was going.

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Besides a delightful (truly) environment to showcase independent crafters and artists, what did you and Tyson hope to achieve in creating Headquarters? While chatting you mentioned a couple of things that struck me; that it's a place that someone with a sewing question can feel free to stop by with, and that you want to offer a range of pricepoints to render the store as accessible as possible. Can you expand on that?

Our main goal was to try to create the kind of place that the 16 year old "me" would have loved to sell stuff in, and the 16 year old Tyson would have loved to check out art in. We wanted to be that shop that some person would talk about 10 years from now as one of the places that helped and supported them when they were just starting out. We also wanted to be known amongst shoppers as a place to find REALLY special handmade goods and have a great shopping experience, for them to be able to ask us about a seller, and for us to know all about them, what they're inspired by, why they make their items a certain way, what techniques they use, etc. A really personable, one on one shopping experience, that is very rare to find nowadays.

We also were very cautious in not making the store elitist in any way. If someone doesn't really know the difference between handmade and mass produced, or has never heard of certain artists, no problem, we can help you figure it out if you want. The pricing is also an important part of this. Since we're designers as well, we understand that as a small business owner you can't offer rock bottom prices for your goods, and you shouldn't have to. We believe in fair pricing that reflects the work the designer put into it. But we also didn't want the store to only have high priced items, no matter how fairly priced they were. So it was very important for us to source out people who were making goods at all price points, so we wouldn't have any poor students, young people with limited budgets, or poor artists for that matter, coming in our store and feeling alienated, like they couldn't afford anything. Bringing in the vintage shoes, belts, jewelry and purses was one of the ways we were able to have some lower priced items in the beginning, but slowly we've built up a roster of cute items by indie designers that are more affordable, mostly due to them using a more affordable technique or material.


How does the function of your "bricks and mortar" location compare with your Etsy site? And how do you not go nuts trying to balance the two, along with your blog? You're even prepping for the One of a Kind Show in T.O. I'm already a bit tired just writing about all this.

Well, it's definitely a juggling act, and I am very happy I'm working on Norwegian Wood and the store full time now. We also have a vintage Etsy site to sell clothing (we don't sell vintage clothing in the store, as I feel it would hurt the indie designers) and Tyson has an Etsy site to sell his paintings and shoes. We kind of split it up between the two of us: Tyson handles the stores daily functions and creates his art, while I help out with finding designers, in-store displays and sourcing the vintage stuff, and then Norwegian Wood is what is taking up a a lot of my time now. The B&M store is definitely our main priority, and takes up the most time. The blog is something I started before we opened the store to help keep people updated, since we didn't have a website. It was a pleasant surprise for me, I've always enjoyed writing, and discovered that I really liked blogging (planning the posts, finding the images, doing mini-photoshoots) so I've kept it up.

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The HQ gallery, located downstairs from the shop, is very open and serene. The current exhibition, "In the Shadows of Metropolis - Particles of a Changing China" (photos by Toby Andris Cayouette) is excellent, too. How does the gallery figure into the what you are trying to achieve within the community?

The gallery is kind of a funny animal. When we were planning on opening, we wanted to have a gallery because Tyson is an artist, and we both really enjoy art in all forms. We knew having a gallery and making any money off of it is a very difficult thing, so we kind of always thought of it as a service to the community, and selfishly a service to ourselves, because we wanted to be able to see a lot of awesome art, and bring in some artists that we were really excited about. We love having the gallery and get our breath taken away monthly every time a new exhibition is set up, even though putting on monthly shows is a huge amount of work. I think that everyone loosens up a bit when they come down to an opening exhibition and sees the store in a different light, not just as a place of consumerism, but as a place of creativity, which is our goal in the end.


You feature so many wonderful artists, crafters and designers, many of which, though not all, are local. How did you discover their work? Or, how did they find you? What are some of the challenges of featuring the work of so many individuals?

In the beginning we had to find each and every one of them, since obviously no one had heard of us. Luckily for us we have a lot of creative friends, so that was part of it. Other than that I did a lot of online research (on Etsy, and Cut+Paste) as well as finding people through various blogs (design*sponge, decor8, Apartment Therapy). Nowadays we get a lot of applications, and I will contact people I see online who have something really special to offer.

There are a lot of challenges to featuring the work of so many different people... a lot. First of all, you're dealing with creative people, who often work on their own time schedules. I'd say Tyson has more problems with the artists than the designers for some reason. Secondly, you're mostly dealing with people who are not doing this as their main source of income, so they have lots of things that get in the way, like, you know, jobs. So we don't have the reliable flow of products that most stores dealing with large companies would have, so that's a challenge. We work with well over 100 suppliers, probably actually verging on 200 by now, so without [our inventory system designed by a friend who is a computer genius], we would be royally lost. The last challenge is finding shelf space for everyone without the store looking like a mess. This is my territory, not so much Tyson’s, and thinking of new display ideas is a constant concern of mine. If we had a store twice as big, I'm sure it would still be packed.

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Although Montreal is jam-packed with creative, crafty types it does not yet share, say, Toronto's reputation as a hotbed of craft. What is your experience, pros and cons, regarding running a business, specifically a craft-related one, in this town?

Well, I'd have to say our biggest issue all comes down to the dreaded dollars and cents. Montreal is a lovely town, with lovely people, but not a lot of them have money to burn. Montreal has a lot of creativity and cheap rents, which makes it the ideal place for artists to live. Unfortunately as a store owner we have a lot of customers who love our store, but who just don't have a large enough disposable income to support a lot of their fellow artists as much as people do in a town like T.O. You're also dealing with the fact that with so many people being creative, a lot of them make stuff themselves, and just don't buy as much stuff in general. It's a weird situation.


Any hopes and plans for the future of Headquarters? Will Mary, for instance, take on a larger managerial role?

We always have big plans, some are long term, others not so much. We try to take things in small steps though, as it's very easy to get overwhelmed with all the things that need to be done. Our plans for this fall are:

- Make a sign for the outside of the building (currently we have window signage, but we need something that can be seen from farther away)
- Make a display box for the inside window so we can do better window displays
- re-arrange the indoor displays to make room for more jewelry
- kick butt at the One of a Kind show

Long term plans
- possibly move to a bigger space, or a better location. Usually the two don't go together unfortunately, but we're keeping our eyes open!
- refine and improve the product selection in the store
- further develop and grow our online vintage selection
- bring in some really great artists for solo exhibitions
- get an e-commerce site up and running. We tried to do that this spring, but it didn't really work out. We're going to give it another go though!

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What's your favourite flavour of ice cream? How about Tyson - what's his favourite? (I'd like to interject here that it's very hard to find a good pistachio ice cream, but that's neither here nor there).

Hands down pistachio for me, and I agree it's hard to find a good one (it's not supposed to be lime green!). The one at the ice cream place by Atwater market is great, as well as this place on St. Denis, just after Duluth. Tyson goes nuts for candy cane ice-cream, which is practically impossible to find, thus driving me nuts as well.


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After thirteen years in the United States and one brutally expensive master's degree from New York University, Pamela Grimaud returned to her beloved Montreal, where she works as a costume historian, college instructor, researcher, independent lecturer and writer. She is currently reading everything she can get her hands on regarding the field of ethical fashion, is a fervent admirer of all things crafty and considers herself a junior knitter. She blogs about all kinds of things at Oh, Little Bird!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

CRAFTY LIT: PistolPress Announces "Butcher's Block" & "We Will Be Fish"!

Revered Pistole-Verpackers:

Kann ich ein Buch-Buch erhalten?

Soft translation: "Can I get a book-book?"

Why yes you can. In fact, have two! That's right: the new books are finally here from PistolPress. So is the Large Hadron Collider, and that can be found here and here. Book publishers are focused on more important things than recreating the Big Bang (done) and destroying the universe (uninspired).

Fall Events 2008
Announcing PistolPress's first two Fall 2008 publications, launching this October!
written by Deanna Fongillustrated by Bilyana Ilievska

Deanna Fong's Butcher's Block reflects on one's emotional connection to fixed locales. Using the age-old conflation of food and sex as a vehicle, this collection of poetry negotiates consumption with wry language, poetic deftness, and incisive illustrations, remembering the trail of people left behind when one balances a domestic and nomadic way of life.
written & illustrated by Jp King

Jp King's We Will Be Fish follows the travels of Leopold Canary as he searches for his missing wife through the tattered remnants of our own cities, at times operating as an appliance designer, rogue doctor, or collector of miscellaneous curios. Spanning a decade, this highly inventive collection of narrative poems reveals the life of an obsessive, emotionally hesitant recluse, nostalgic for a future that will not come to pass.

Both of these brand-spanking new books of poetry will launch in both Toronto and Montreal in October. Click here for details.

Reviewer, You-er?

If anyone is interested in receiving free copies of Butcher's Block and We Will Be Fish, we are offering to the first ten people to apply the opportunity to review either book. We value both positive and negative feedback, criticism, and dissent. You express interest, we send you a PDF, you send us a review (either positive or negative), and we send you a free copy of each. Easy-peasy giraffe-sneezy. Write to us at pistolpress@gmail.com if you're interested.

The Future Hygienic

For everyone who submitted to The Future Hygienic, thanks for your patience. We received more submissions than we could have hoped for, and are still in the process of jurying them. So hold tight: we will get back to each and every one of you.

If, for some reason, you don't want to receive any more of our galvanizing messages, write back to us and tell us how much you hate giraffes. Just say that. "I hate giraffes". We'll take you off the list pronto, and get it: you're into Seaworld.

"Sea" you soon!

PistolPress

--
Making Giraffes Into Books Since 2008

www.pistolpress.com

Saturday, September 20, 2008

SUPPLY YOUR HABIT & GET SCHOOLED - workroom and Berninas! workroom class schedule (Sep-Oct 08)


the workroom is delighted to announce that we are now an authorized Bernina Dealer. As with every tool, sewing notion, and bolt of fabric we sell, I have carefully chosen Bernina for their impeccable reputation and strong focus on customer education.

Bernina sewing machines, sergers and accessories are now available for purchase through the shop. When you purchase a Bernina machine at the workroom you will receive a private lesson that will go over every feature of your new machine. We will also be able to support you with our growing technical knowledge and the regular servicing of your Bernina machines at our location.

As our thank you, from now until December 25, you will receive a $50 - $150 gift card for the workroom with the purchase of a Bernina.

You can use this gift card to take sewing classes, buy fabric or put together a sewing kit with all the best notions. You just might want to put a new Bernina on your holiday wish list, it will be a gift you'll enjoy every time you use it!

To celebrate our new dealership, the workroom is having a draw for a Bernette 56!!!

For every purchase of $40 or more (this includes class fees), between now and December 15th, your name will be entered to win.

The class calendar for September/October was just updated and you can download it here. (just select on Classes and the PDF can be uploaded from there)

Check out photos of the first Snap Coin Purse class and you'll see why this is going to be the perfect gift to make this holiday season.

Snap Purses- click to enlarge image

Our other new class is the Wool Slippers class, another perfect gift class that shows you how to upcycle a wool blanket into cozy bootie slippers.

the workroom is doing another joint class with The Knit Cafe on doing a knit felted bag with a fabric lining and zippered pocket. It's the perfect way to combine your love of knitting and sewing! Plus, there are still a few spots left in Zipper Clinic, Fabric Buckets, Sampler Quilt, Birdie Sling and Easy Alterations, as well.

Amy Bulter Birdie Sling Bag - click to enlarge image

I didn't even mention all the beautiful new fabric we've gotten in for fall!
See you soon, Karyn

-the workroom- 1340 Queen Street West Toronto, ON M6K 1L4, 416-534-5305

check out the workroom on flickr!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theworkroom/
updated as new classes and fabrics arrive