Youth from the John Howard Society of North Island will be working with renowned artist Terra Poirier at the Campbell River Art Gallery this month thanks to special funding from the BC Arts Council.
The gallery received $11,500 from BCAC for a Youth Engagement Program that will see three exhibiting artists provide learning opportunities for local youth in 2015/2016.
The first artist to take part is Terra Poirier, a filmmaker turned photographer, whose exhibition, Are You Sure? opens at the Campbell River Art Gallery Aug. 13.
Poirier will present a three-day art workshop with youth from the John Howard Society from Aug. 18-20.
Participants will use their own printed photos and text to learn transfer techniques for applying images to a wooden surface.
Poirier’s work focuses on graphic memoir, memory slippage and distortion.
She currently works in analog and other low-fidelity formats.
Her award-winning films have screened internationally, exploring themes of trauma, mothering, poverty and home.
Poirier will also be offering a workshop for members of the public while she’s in Campbell River.
The public workshop will run August 15 and 16 from 12-4 p.m. each day.
The public workshop costs $100 for gallery members, $125 for non-members and $70 for youth aged 14 to 19. Space is limited, so don’t delay in registering.
Call 250-287-2261 or email curator@crartgallery.ca for more information.
Kris Anderson, executive director of the art gallery, said the BC Arts Council funding will allow three exhibiting artists (or in one case, pair of artists) the opportunity to develop and offer a three-day workshop with three different youth groups.
“During the session, each artist will work with their group, sharing their art practice - in part through their exhibition – as well as teaching a workshop in a medium related to their art practice,” Anderson said. “We would not usually be in the position to hire the artists to remain in the region to interact with and teach local youth while they are in our community.
As a result of this special project funding, we are able to provide this opportunity.”
The confirmed exhibiting artists that will participate in this enhanced youth engagement in 2016 are Amy Malbeuf and Jordan Bennett (Kelowna), and Sonny Assu (Vancouver/Montreal).