The next stage in this process is getting the information from the community, and especially from the arts community as to what we want to become as an arts community, what kind of events and programs we want to develop, what kind of facility we want, etc.
So there is now an Arts Cochrane Questionnaire available on the website.
If you are an artist in Cochrane and the surrounding area, or are interested in the arts, we want to hear from you.
You can download the questionnaire from the website and then e-mail or fax it to Arts Cochrane, or drop it off at the Paintbox Artists Supplies store. They will also have copies of the Questionnaire if you would like to fill it in there.
Please get involved in this. It is so important that your voice be heard, so don't miss out on this opportunity.
I like to get things done, so I am hoping to start work on organizing the information we get by early October. So get your feedbck to us as soon as possible.
Thank you!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Parade and Arts BBQ
The past two weeks have been so busy getting ready for the parade and the Arts BBQ, that I didn't even think to do the blog.
Both events, I am happy to say, were a success. We had around 20 participants for the parade entry - between displays and folks who were part of it. We had good feedback about it, so will plan it earlier and better next year.
In spite of cold weather and rain for a good bit of the afternoon, we had about 40-45 people who showed up for the Alberta Arts Day BBQ. That to me says there is a strong interest and commitment to see something built with our arts community. So we will definitely continue the process of developing this.
Check the website for further details about the events.
Both events, I am happy to say, were a success. We had around 20 participants for the parade entry - between displays and folks who were part of it. We had good feedback about it, so will plan it earlier and better next year.
In spite of cold weather and rain for a good bit of the afternoon, we had about 40-45 people who showed up for the Alberta Arts Day BBQ. That to me says there is a strong interest and commitment to see something built with our arts community. So we will definitely continue the process of developing this.
Check the website for further details about the events.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Maxine Herbert - she dares to dream big
I think I’m feeling just a tad overwhelmed about now. When you have a vision for what you believe could be, but think people would look at you like you’re a little (or a lot!) nuts to believe that could be possible, it’s a pretty amazing experience to get into a conversation with someone and have them tell you their dream – and find that it is very similar to your own.
I have a feeling there is a reason for that. I think the time has come for things to start happening for the arts community here in Cochrane. And my visit with Maxine Herbert yesterday afternoon just confirmed what I have been sensing.
Maxine works at Tremar Computers where she has started Corner Stone Artists Gallery. I didn’t even get into what she is doing with that – which is also an exciting opportunity for our local artists – we’ll talk about that some other time.
Maxine has worked as an artists rep in the past, so that was what we talked about first. Personally, I think far too many artists miss out on what art could be in their lives because they shy away from learning the business end of things. After hearing what Maxine knows about this, I think we will be offering a workshop on that this winter sometime. This is stuff artists need to know.
We talked about our vision for what the arts could be here in Cochrane. Maxine has a vision that sees Cochrane as a world-class arts place – and I agree. It won’t happen overnight, it will take time, but we believe it is definitely possible. She had some good ideas for ways that could happen.
We talked about the need for our youth to experience the arts and get good instruction, to see the possibilities that are out there.
We also talked about the problems that face artists – chief among them often our own negative attitudes (oh, I’m no good, etc), sometimes getting burned because of not feeling accepted, and so on. I think in the process of building the arts here, we will need to deal with those things and find a way to create a vision that is powerfully positive and encouraging. That may not always be easy, but I believe we can come together and do something amazing here.
Maxine, thank you. I know you and I will have more conversations. This is just too good not to!
I have a feeling there is a reason for that. I think the time has come for things to start happening for the arts community here in Cochrane. And my visit with Maxine Herbert yesterday afternoon just confirmed what I have been sensing.
Maxine works at Tremar Computers where she has started Corner Stone Artists Gallery. I didn’t even get into what she is doing with that – which is also an exciting opportunity for our local artists – we’ll talk about that some other time.
Maxine has worked as an artists rep in the past, so that was what we talked about first. Personally, I think far too many artists miss out on what art could be in their lives because they shy away from learning the business end of things. After hearing what Maxine knows about this, I think we will be offering a workshop on that this winter sometime. This is stuff artists need to know.
We talked about our vision for what the arts could be here in Cochrane. Maxine has a vision that sees Cochrane as a world-class arts place – and I agree. It won’t happen overnight, it will take time, but we believe it is definitely possible. She had some good ideas for ways that could happen.
We talked about the need for our youth to experience the arts and get good instruction, to see the possibilities that are out there.
We also talked about the problems that face artists – chief among them often our own negative attitudes (oh, I’m no good, etc), sometimes getting burned because of not feeling accepted, and so on. I think in the process of building the arts here, we will need to deal with those things and find a way to create a vision that is powerfully positive and encouraging. That may not always be easy, but I believe we can come together and do something amazing here.
Maxine, thank you. I know you and I will have more conversations. This is just too good not to!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Patrick Yesh - man of many talents
I first saw Patrick Yesh at the Farmers Market here in Cochrane. After hearing about him from another artist, I contacted him and after numerous e-mails, we finally met for coffee this past week.
Patrick is a man of many talents. He has a Masters degree from Queens in education. He is an artist, a teacher and a massage therapist. He is also a counselor, workshop leader, and more.
What I have appreciated about Patrick is his enthusiasm for seeing something developed with the arts community here. He has been involved in helping to organize the arts in other communities such as Canmore, and he has plenty of ideas to work with. I agree with him that we need to come together as an arts community (ie, the BBQ in Sept), and also that we need to develop some longer and better arts events here. Ideas for some of those are already being planned.
One of his comments I found quite interesting was that there is apparently a study that shows that the arts is the third largest industry in North America. While we often think of the arts more as the “fine arts”, we are actually touched by the arts in almost everything we do. Everything we use was designed by an artist/designer – from the cars we drive to the clothes we wear, to the utensils we use, to the TV shows we watch, etc, etc. So are the arts important? Definitely YES!
Patrick loves teaching, using art as therapy, doing portraits, and painting. Visit his Art, Heart and Soul website to learn more about him and what he has to offer. Also - watch for an article about Patrick in the Cochrane Eagle coming soon.
Patrick is a man of many talents. He has a Masters degree from Queens in education. He is an artist, a teacher and a massage therapist. He is also a counselor, workshop leader, and more.
What I have appreciated about Patrick is his enthusiasm for seeing something developed with the arts community here. He has been involved in helping to organize the arts in other communities such as Canmore, and he has plenty of ideas to work with. I agree with him that we need to come together as an arts community (ie, the BBQ in Sept), and also that we need to develop some longer and better arts events here. Ideas for some of those are already being planned.
One of his comments I found quite interesting was that there is apparently a study that shows that the arts is the third largest industry in North America. While we often think of the arts more as the “fine arts”, we are actually touched by the arts in almost everything we do. Everything we use was designed by an artist/designer – from the cars we drive to the clothes we wear, to the utensils we use, to the TV shows we watch, etc, etc. So are the arts important? Definitely YES!
Patrick loves teaching, using art as therapy, doing portraits, and painting. Visit his Art, Heart and Soul website to learn more about him and what he has to offer. Also - watch for an article about Patrick in the Cochrane Eagle coming soon.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Marla Blackwell - artist & chair of CACC
This week I had the privilege of meeting with Marla Blackwell, who is the present chair of the Cochrane Arts and Culture Committee. This committee acts as an advisory board to town council where the arts are concerned, and works with Sandy Johnson, who is the town's Cultural Program Coordinator.
Marla mentioned that the Cochrane Arts & Culture Committee is in the process of becoming a Society - I believe she said the name would be the "Bow Valley Arts Foundation". By becoming a foundation, they will be able to fundraise and also be open to adding new members.
Marla commented that there are times when folks are disappointed with the slowness of getting things done through the town council. Unfortunately, politics is sometimes a slow and cumbersome beast to work with, but at the same time, from what I have heard so far from several sources, there has been a fair bit of foundation work done. Foundation work isn't always visible or even terribly exciting, but a good foundation can make a world of difference to what is built on it. I'll be looking into more of that as I am able, but for now I have been encouraged by what has already been done.
We discussed the possibility of having an Arts facility here in Cochrane, and would very much like to see that become a reality. There will be work toward that over the next while, and I am hoping to get the arts community involved in that process.
If there is one impression I have of Marla, it's that she is passionate about the arts here in Cochrane. She, of course, with her business partner, Marie Sigurdson, started the Paintbox Artist Supplies store here in Cochrane, much to the delight of the arts community here. (Marla is also an artist and an instructor.)
She was also instrumental in starting the Foothills Art Club.
Her term as chair of the CACC ends this month, but I know that Marla has some other neat ideas up her sleeve - which I am sure I'll be writing about in due time!
Thanks Marla, for a great visit, and I look forward to working with you on the arts here in Cochrane.
Marla mentioned that the Cochrane Arts & Culture Committee is in the process of becoming a Society - I believe she said the name would be the "Bow Valley Arts Foundation". By becoming a foundation, they will be able to fundraise and also be open to adding new members.
Marla commented that there are times when folks are disappointed with the slowness of getting things done through the town council. Unfortunately, politics is sometimes a slow and cumbersome beast to work with, but at the same time, from what I have heard so far from several sources, there has been a fair bit of foundation work done. Foundation work isn't always visible or even terribly exciting, but a good foundation can make a world of difference to what is built on it. I'll be looking into more of that as I am able, but for now I have been encouraged by what has already been done.
We discussed the possibility of having an Arts facility here in Cochrane, and would very much like to see that become a reality. There will be work toward that over the next while, and I am hoping to get the arts community involved in that process.
If there is one impression I have of Marla, it's that she is passionate about the arts here in Cochrane. She, of course, with her business partner, Marie Sigurdson, started the Paintbox Artist Supplies store here in Cochrane, much to the delight of the arts community here. (Marla is also an artist and an instructor.)
She was also instrumental in starting the Foothills Art Club.
Her term as chair of the CACC ends this month, but I know that Marla has some other neat ideas up her sleeve - which I am sure I'll be writing about in due time!
Thanks Marla, for a great visit, and I look forward to working with you on the arts here in Cochrane.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Art Norris - theatre - stage manager
On Thursday afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting Art Norris, who lives here in Cochrane and works as a stage manager at the Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary.
Art is another of these creative people I am meeting who has a passionate desire to see something special done for and with the arts here in Cochrane.
His primary interest is the theatre, so we talked about places he has been, communities that have their own theatre venues, what would be needed in a theatre facility, what would be needed to make one successful, and so on. He certainly has lots of good ideas - with the experience to back them up. In fact, when I asked for some of his ideas, he borrowed my notebook and proceeded to write out two pages of notes. So this is not just something he thought about that morning - he's had time to put together a good vision of what this could be.
I know he's not the only one here in town with well thought-out ideas. It is really exciting to see the kind of passion and ideas that people have, and gives me great hope that we can accomplish something special here.
But Art is not just a theatre person. He is also a musician - plays the guitar - and a songwriter. One of his songs, "I Am No Dancer", was recorded by Lindsay Jane, a singer-songwriter, formerly from Cochrane, now in Manitoba.
And he is also a writer. I found his book "Succession" in our local library (it is available at Westlands Books) and proceeded to read it through. Set in the Bearspaw area between Cochrane and Calgary, it is a story about the changes that come to people and the land they live on. I particularly enjoyed his artistic descriptions - like this one "Al was at the wet point of some calligrapher's pen, trailing a Celtic scroll across a twenty-four acre patch of wrinkled earth." Kind of liked that one because I'm a calligrapher, so I knew just what he was talking about.
Thanks, Art, for the visit and the great ideas."
Art is another of these creative people I am meeting who has a passionate desire to see something special done for and with the arts here in Cochrane.
His primary interest is the theatre, so we talked about places he has been, communities that have their own theatre venues, what would be needed in a theatre facility, what would be needed to make one successful, and so on. He certainly has lots of good ideas - with the experience to back them up. In fact, when I asked for some of his ideas, he borrowed my notebook and proceeded to write out two pages of notes. So this is not just something he thought about that morning - he's had time to put together a good vision of what this could be.
I know he's not the only one here in town with well thought-out ideas. It is really exciting to see the kind of passion and ideas that people have, and gives me great hope that we can accomplish something special here.
But Art is not just a theatre person. He is also a musician - plays the guitar - and a songwriter. One of his songs, "I Am No Dancer", was recorded by Lindsay Jane, a singer-songwriter, formerly from Cochrane, now in Manitoba.
And he is also a writer. I found his book "Succession" in our local library (it is available at Westlands Books) and proceeded to read it through. Set in the Bearspaw area between Cochrane and Calgary, it is a story about the changes that come to people and the land they live on. I particularly enjoyed his artistic descriptions - like this one "Al was at the wet point of some calligrapher's pen, trailing a Celtic scroll across a twenty-four acre patch of wrinkled earth." Kind of liked that one because I'm a calligrapher, so I knew just what he was talking about.
Thanks, Art, for the visit and the great ideas."
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Cochrane Art Club Preparing for 50th Anniversary
Last Saturday the Cochrane Art Club met to work on one of its special projects to celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2009.
This project is a commemorative calendar for the year - featuring work from all the artists of the club.
Thirty-five artists brought paintings to be judged for the main pages of the calendar. But all the paintings will be included in one way or another on the calendar.
This is just the first of several projects that will help to celebrate and commenmorate the 50 years that this club has been part of the Cochrane community. That's a pretty good record - and certainly worth celebrating.
This project is a commemorative calendar for the year - featuring work from all the artists of the club.
Thirty-five artists brought paintings to be judged for the main pages of the calendar. But all the paintings will be included in one way or another on the calendar.
This is just the first of several projects that will help to celebrate and commenmorate the 50 years that this club has been part of the Cochrane community. That's a pretty good record - and certainly worth celebrating.
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