October 11, 2012 
Vancouver Island School of Art Newsletter

Dear Friends of VISA,
A group of local graffiti artists are painting the back of the school this Sunday, October 14 and this got me thinking about the idea of street art of which graffiti is only one component. Much graffiti art is very mainstream with its stylized, often apolitical decorative lettering and designs, and the only subversive element being that it is installed in the streets. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles recently had an exhibition called Art in the Streets. While I didn't see this exhibition myself, the thought of it made me wonder whether street art loses some of its power, meaning and credibility, when it is brought into the sanitized walls of the museum. I understand that the exhibition was striving to give historical legitimacy to this often denigrated and misunderstood art form. While I applaud the museum's effort, the street art I enjoy the most is often the kind that I come across unexpectedly, such as a design painted on the sidewalk or a painted train wreck on a hiking trail. I recently saw a video in the Guardian of the work of Sarah Al Abdali and it made me
appreciate street art's subversive possibilities. I enjoy how she uses the convention of street signs to give her work a subtle sense of authority. And it seems that Sarah's work or the train wreck below or any number of street art pieces would lose their vitality if placed in a gallery space.


Train Wreck, Whistler, BC (photo credit: Tricia Hodgins)



Wendy

Wendy Welch
Executive Director
Vancouver Island School of Art

 

QUAKE THE CAN Graffiti Event at VISA
October 14, noon - 9pm

Watch local graffiti artists paint the back wall of VISA. There will be music and a BBQ.
Spray painting workshop 4pm
Graffiti movies on-going in Slide Room Gallery

Event is free but donations welcome for scaffolding.

From last year's Quake the Can
DRAWING WORKSHOP: MAP AS BIOGRAPHY
Saturday, October 27, 10am-5pm 

The first maps were drawn by artists and now in the 21st century more and more artists are turning to maps as a source for their art practice. In this map workshop students will explore the idea of mind-mapping as well as other sorts of 'mapping' to create expressive abstract drawings. One of the best ways to make good art is to focus on what is unique about you as an individual and make that part of your work. This workshop will include elements of this self-discovery process as well as some very focusing on some exciting design and composition possibilities. Workshop includes drawing, painting and collage.
Instructor: Wendy Welch
Tuition: $100.00 (6 hrs)
Material Fee: $25 (all materials included)
All materials are provided in the material fee. You just need to show up. 
PAINTING JUMPSTART: Weekend Intensive
Saturday & Sunday, November 3 and 4, 10am-5pm 

Are you feeling stuck and in need of some fresh insight to push your painting forward? Do you really want to paint again but feeling a little rusty? This hands-on painting intensive will cover strategies to inject new energy into your process. If you have been painting alone, the group dynamic of a class creates a sense of camaraderie through an exchange of ideas. Warm-up exercises at the beginning of each day will shift your attention in a different and new way. Students can bring on-going projects to class or start new ones in the workshop. The instructor will cover issues such as paint handling, palette and composition choices as well as historical and contemporary painting references. Oil and acrylic painters welcome.
$175.00 for 12 hours of instruction
Instructor: Val Nelson
Supply List
Val's Website

Chine Collé Printmaking Workshop
Saturday & Sunday, November 3 and 4, 10am-5pm 

Chine collé is traditionally known as a method of printing an image onto a thin delicate paper while simultaneously adhering it to a heavier paper through a traditional printing press. This hands-on workshop introduces students to the traditional method of chine collé as well as several other options such as applying small segments of chine collé onto a larger work; preparing and combining chine collé with monotype prints and relief prints, and using various ink application. Whether your interest is the print, creating elements for a handmade book, or the application of chine collé to mixed media work, this workshop offers many avenues for exploration.
Tuition: $175.00 for 12 hours of instruction
Material Fee: $25 (all materials included)

Image right: Kathy Guthrie

SERINA ZAPF
Performance at October 12, Camas Books
VISA student and performance artist Serina Zapf will be performing two new works at the Camas Books re-Opening celebration.

Join Camas Books, Friday Oct. 12th at 7pm for an opening celebration, at their new location, 2620 Quadra St.  Featuring poetry, performance, music, and shadow puppets!
The evening will be hosted by CBC radio host Janet Rogers (Mohawk) the Poet Laureate of Victoria.  The night involves performance by Serina Zapf & poetry by Comrade Black, music by Klezmer musicians Without A Nets and a live shadow puppet performance by Paper Cut Pony. More info:
weekend activities at Camas 

Photo Credit: Jurgen Fritz, IPA Summer 2012, Istanbul
VICTORIA WRITERS FESTIVAL
October 12 & 13, Camosun College

Internationally acclaimed novelists, poets, essayists, historians and philosophers take to the stage or the inaugural Victoria Writers Festival. Get your tickets and passes to readings, panel discussions, book signings, a poetry slam, the Carol Shields Lecture, and the first Pacific Comics Art Festival. Surprising, enlightening, lively, and fun.

For more information

For hours and maps: Xchanges Gallery

      


 

      


 



   


ANTI MATTER FILM FESTIVAL
starts October 12

Dedicated to the exhibition and nurturing of film and video as art, Antimatter has grown into the premier showcase of experimental cinema in the west. Encompassing screenings, installations, performances and media hybrids, Antimatter provides a noncompetitive festival setting in Victoria, British Columbia, free from commercial and industry agendas.

The highest standards of curatorial practice are employed to build thematic programs of innovative film and video selected from international submissions. In addition, our annual Foreign Matter series has become the incubator for hundreds of short films, all new to North American audiences, compiled and contextualized by international curators. Reciprocally, Antimatter delivers curated programs of new Canadian work to international audiences through our Foreign Matter tours.

Since 1998, the quality and creativity of its programming, commitment to audience development, and respect for filmmakers and their work have made Antimatter one of the most important media arts events in Canada, and the world.  Screenings are at the Vic Theatre (808 Douglas St) and all events are pay-what-you-can.

PROGRAM GUIDE

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Deadline October 15 
Photographs of back spaces in Victoria

The Slide Room Gallery will be hosting a large group exhibition of photographs under the theme of Backspace from November 9-December 3, 2012.

We are looking for new work that explores local backspaces: these could be undefined spaces such as the borders of public and private lands or spaces that explore the ideals of sanctuary or retreat within rural, suburban or urban green spaces. 

Artists are are asked to submit up to work as jpeg files (max 5/person). Work will be juried with up to two images per person to be chosen. Selected images will need to be printed in 8x10 or 11x14 sizes for exhibition. No framing is necessary (prints will be installed on wall with magnets).

All artists selected will receive a small honorarium of $50 to help cover print costs.

Backspace will provide a showcase for emerging artists as well as highlight new work from some established artists whose photographic practice explores notions surrounding 'backspace' and the contemporary landscape.
Submissions should be emailed to:
with 'backspace' in the subject line.
Deadline is October 15, 2012

For more information contact:
Tara Nicholson (curator)

SLIDE ROOM GALLERY: Call for Curatorial Proposals 

The Slide Room Gallery is looking for Curatorial Proposals for the 2013-2014 schedule.

Your proposal should contain the following:
* list of at least 3 artists to be included in the exhibition (could be more)
* brief biography of each artist
* one image of each artist's work
* a curatorial statement describing the premise or theme for the exhibition which would include your reasons for your particular selection of artists.
Please email material to: Slide Room Gallery

Deadline for submissions: February 1, 2013.
For more information about our courses or events contact
Linda or Jen at the office: 250-380-3500 or info@vancouverislandschoolart.com
Website