Should art and politics mix? CBC broadcaster Rex Murphy and some Alberta politicians, in response to Neil Young speaking out against the tar sands, say that artists should stay away from politics. Neil Young not only talks about politics, but issues have always been a large part of his music practice.

Artists have been talking about politics and making it an important part of their work throughout history. One only has to think of Goya's Disasters of War, Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People or Picasso's Guernica, as immediate examples, not to mention the countless musicians throughout the 20th century who have made politics an essential part of their songwriting.

Judging by the comments in a recent Guardian article about Andre Serranos' latest work, Signs of the Times in the Guardian, there are a lot of people who think art and politics shouldn't mix. Serranos bought signs from homeless people for $20 a sign and then made a video based on this collection of handmade signs. All Serrano is doing, like many artists before him (and like Neil Young), is making people aware of a public issue through his art practice. The homeless people were happy to get the $20 and by recontextualizing the signs, Serranos has created a poetic portrait of life in the street that we might not see, or choose not to see. No he is not solving the homeless problem, nor is Neil solving the environmental disaster that is the tar sands. They are acting as artist as witness. To hear Serrano being interviewed about his Signs of Times project: CBC's Q by Terry O'Reilly.

Its hard to understand why people get so angry about artists mixing with politics. The only reason I can come up with is that people do not want to be made aware of the issues. People think of art as a way of escaping from reality, not as a means to highlight the darker parts of the world. The beauty of art is that it can do both.

There is still some space in this course which starts this evening (Wednesday).

The course focuses on the basics of preparing professional materials such as an artist statement, images of work, and making a website with a Wordpress blog template. The course also covers the different types of exhibition venues including non-profit, commercial and public galleries; community centers and caf�s and how to find the right venue for your work. Other activities such as writing grants, preparing a budget, keeping records, and many other details involved in being a successful artist will be discussed. 

In addition, the course will cover some of the ways to keep yourself motivated and continually producing artwork. Artwork is, after all, the fundamental basis to any kind of success in the artworld.

Textbook: The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love by Jackie Battenfield; Philadelphia: Da Capo Press, 2009.

Prerequisite:Enrolment in Diploma program or are a practicing artist with a body of work.

Instructor: Wendy Welch

Are you inspired by the beautiful patterns in nature and wonder how you can incorporate them into your work? Workshop exercises involve observing and analyzing natural forms into basic components to create both repeated and random patterns. 

The works of Ernst Haeckel, William Morris, Art Nouveau and Art Deco designs, as well as contemporary pattern designs, are explored through a variety of innovative projects. Participants will work from actual natural objects as well as photographs using pencils and watercolours.

Suitable for complete beginners.

Instructor: Wendy Welch

Tuition: $125 

(all materials included)

DRAWING: MIXED MEDIA
Friday, Jan 31, 10am-1pm