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!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Starr Kolb, artist & former chair of CACC
Yesterday afternoon I had the privilege of meeting Starr Kolb. Starr is the former chair of the Cochrane Arts and Culture Committee, so has spent considerable time involved in the arts here. It was very informative and encouraging to hear what she had to say.
She shared that there is strong support from the Town Council for the arts. But for that to really move ahead there needs to be a strong voice from an arts community that comes to Town Council with a good vision and a workable plan for what is wanted and needed here. I agreed with her.
She talked about the town’s Sustainability project, and that the arts can be a part of that planning. That people often come to a community because of the arts and what they have to offer. So it is important to include the arts in any planning for the future here.
Starr also spoke about how we as artists tend to work in isolation and need to develop our own motivation – that’s often the nature of being creative. But at the same time we need to be part of a community, and to be involved with other creative people.
I had the feeling as Starr shared that she has a pretty good sense of what’s going on. I particularly liked a comment she made about there being a “perfect storm brewing when it comes to the arts”. Definitely here in Cochrane, but also things like the Alberta government instituting an Alberta Arts Day.
I came away from that meeting with a host of people to contact, and very encouraged with the foundation that others have laid for the arts here. Thank you, Starr, for your contribution to that foundation.
By the way, Starr is also an accomplished artist, who works in stained glass and pastels. You can see some of her stained glass work in the United Church here in Cochrane.
She shared that there is strong support from the Town Council for the arts. But for that to really move ahead there needs to be a strong voice from an arts community that comes to Town Council with a good vision and a workable plan for what is wanted and needed here. I agreed with her.
She talked about the town’s Sustainability project, and that the arts can be a part of that planning. That people often come to a community because of the arts and what they have to offer. So it is important to include the arts in any planning for the future here.
Starr also spoke about how we as artists tend to work in isolation and need to develop our own motivation – that’s often the nature of being creative. But at the same time we need to be part of a community, and to be involved with other creative people.
I had the feeling as Starr shared that she has a pretty good sense of what’s going on. I particularly liked a comment she made about there being a “perfect storm brewing when it comes to the arts”. Definitely here in Cochrane, but also things like the Alberta government instituting an Alberta Arts Day.
I came away from that meeting with a host of people to contact, and very encouraged with the foundation that others have laid for the arts here. Thank you, Starr, for your contribution to that foundation.
By the way, Starr is also an accomplished artist, who works in stained glass and pastels. You can see some of her stained glass work in the United Church here in Cochrane.
Alberta Arts Day Plans
After hearing about the Alberta Arts Day on September 6, I've been thinking about what we as the arts community in Cochrane could do to celebrate the arts here.
After speaking to several people yesterday, Arts Cochrane is going to host a Potluck BBQ at 6:00 pm that evening at the Cochrane Ranche (the lower area where the Farmer's Market is held).
I don't have a budget for this, so it will probably be simple - bring your own supplies and food. Watch for final details on the Alberta Arts Day page as the date gets closer.
There will be a sign-in when you come - and you'll see why when you get there :)! Don't worry - it's not going to be embarrassing - it will just make it easier to mix and mingle. I would encourage you to bring at least one photo of a piece of your work that would represent you well.
There will be some introductions and a few comments to the group, but this is primarily for the arts community to come together for an evening of fun and getting to meet each other.
So do come and join us. I'm looking forward to meeting you.
After speaking to several people yesterday, Arts Cochrane is going to host a Potluck BBQ at 6:00 pm that evening at the Cochrane Ranche (the lower area where the Farmer's Market is held).
I don't have a budget for this, so it will probably be simple - bring your own supplies and food. Watch for final details on the Alberta Arts Day page as the date gets closer.
There will be a sign-in when you come - and you'll see why when you get there :)! Don't worry - it's not going to be embarrassing - it will just make it easier to mix and mingle. I would encourage you to bring at least one photo of a piece of your work that would represent you well.
There will be some introductions and a few comments to the group, but this is primarily for the arts community to come together for an evening of fun and getting to meet each other.
So do come and join us. I'm looking forward to meeting you.
Sandy Johnson, Cochrane's Cultural Program Coordinator
Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with Sandy Johnson, the Cultural Program Coordinator for the Town of Cochrane. Part of that includes the arts. From what I gathered the Town is open to doing what they can to help promote the arts, which is why they set up a position that includes the arts.
Sandy has been a major player in the Art Walk which is held on July 1st . She was also involved in the Mural project which resulted in the beautiful “Trust” mural which now hangs in the RancheHouse. She coordinates arts and cultural events, programs and classes through the town – check those out in the Recreation Guide which will be coming out soon.
Sandy also works with the Cochrane Arts and Culture Committee (more about that to come) as the liaison to the town council.
I want to thank Sandy for the work she has done thus far. Everything helps and she has certainly helped to keep the arts alive here. I look forward to working with her and the others who are part of the arts community here as we continue to build and grow together.”
Sandy has been a major player in the Art Walk which is held on July 1st . She was also involved in the Mural project which resulted in the beautiful “Trust” mural which now hangs in the RancheHouse. She coordinates arts and cultural events, programs and classes through the town – check those out in the Recreation Guide which will be coming out soon.
Sandy also works with the Cochrane Arts and Culture Committee (more about that to come) as the liaison to the town council.
I want to thank Sandy for the work she has done thus far. Everything helps and she has certainly helped to keep the arts alive here. I look forward to working with her and the others who are part of the arts community here as we continue to build and grow together.”
Susanne Roth - variety of expression
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to have a visit with Susanne Roth, an artist who lives in the Cochrane Lake area. When she first e-mailed me and sent me her webpage to check out, I found myself smiling because she reminded me of myself - someone with a passion for being creative in a whole variety of different ways.
So I met Susanne at her studio - and there was lots to see. Paintings, multi-media collages, silk screening, room dividers, quilting, hats, bags, and a whole lot more.
One of her projects that I found intriguing was what she called body forms. I'll just leave it at that for now, but I think it may be one of the classes that she will offer later this year. If I have the time, I could be tempted to get in on it, because it really looks like fun.
Susanne later told me that she has also written a book of poetry and a small story book. So yes, this is definitely a lady with a passion for being creative!
So I met Susanne at her studio - and there was lots to see. Paintings, multi-media collages, silk screening, room dividers, quilting, hats, bags, and a whole lot more.
One of her projects that I found intriguing was what she called body forms. I'll just leave it at that for now, but I think it may be one of the classes that she will offer later this year. If I have the time, I could be tempted to get in on it, because it really looks like fun.
Susanne later told me that she has also written a book of poetry and a small story book. So yes, this is definitely a lady with a passion for being creative!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Meet Shawn Johnsen, linocut printmaker
I received an e-mail the other day from Shawn Johnsen, a printmaker from Cochrane who does handmade linocut prints. Do check out his website - there is some great work there. I especially liked the "Winter Passage" piece in the 2008 Gallery, as it brought back great memories of my twelve years in Banff. Thanks Shawn!
Janet Armstrong - paints anything, if it's fun!
The response to the column last week has been better than I had expected, and that is encouraging. It confirms what I had thought - that there is a strong interest here to do something with and for the arts community.
This afternoon I stopped by to see Janet Armstrong in her "Just ImaJan" studio here in Cochrane. I first met her several weeks ago when I saw her studio sign and stopped in for a look.
They talk about first impressions, and there's no doubt that my first impression was "This is a person who is having major fun!" The walls are filled with her paintings which are wonderfully colorful, full of life and cover a wide spectrum of subject material.
Today Jan had a few minutes to spare, so she showed me her "Special Projects Portfolio". My goodness, has she ever done a lot of neat stuff! Murals from large outdoor ones to portable ones, to ones for kids bedrooms. Furniture. Special events projects like a 60-some foot canvas carpet for a bride to walk-up-the-aisle on. Backdrops for special events at the Banff Springs Hotel. Stage props for a Special Tribute to Cirque du Soleil at the Performing Arts in Calgary. And on and on and on... Anything paintable she says, as long as it is FUN!
Do stop in for a look - it is well worth it. The studio is at #3, 320 - 1 Street West, in the Graham Building on the side street section.
This afternoon I stopped by to see Janet Armstrong in her "Just ImaJan" studio here in Cochrane. I first met her several weeks ago when I saw her studio sign and stopped in for a look.
They talk about first impressions, and there's no doubt that my first impression was "This is a person who is having major fun!" The walls are filled with her paintings which are wonderfully colorful, full of life and cover a wide spectrum of subject material.
Today Jan had a few minutes to spare, so she showed me her "Special Projects Portfolio". My goodness, has she ever done a lot of neat stuff! Murals from large outdoor ones to portable ones, to ones for kids bedrooms. Furniture. Special events projects like a 60-some foot canvas carpet for a bride to walk-up-the-aisle on. Backdrops for special events at the Banff Springs Hotel. Stage props for a Special Tribute to Cirque du Soleil at the Performing Arts in Calgary. And on and on and on... Anything paintable she says, as long as it is FUN!
Do stop in for a look - it is well worth it. The studio is at #3, 320 - 1 Street West, in the Graham Building on the side street section.
Arts Cochrane Discovery Journal
One of the things that I am finding as I get into this Arts Cochrane project, is that I am on a journey of discovery. As I’ve been mulling over ideas for how to get word out about the arts here in Cochrane, the idea came to do a journal about my own journey of discovery. That in itself could be a way to let you in on what is going on here. I decided to do this as a blog so that you can interact with me and each other as we go along.
So this is a personal journal in a way - mine and yours – about the artists I/we meet (and the folks who enjoy and want to support the arts), the events that happen, the ideas that are shared, the things we struggle with, where we need help and encouragement, our thoughts and musings along the way.
Just a note here – while this is a journal, I am not just going to blab about everything and everyone. When I write about people in this journal, if it is in any way private or personal, it will not go public until and unless I have that person’s permission. If it’s about something that is public knowledge, then I consider that public and open to being written about. But when I meet with you personally, or hear from you personally, (and I very much hope you will feel free to do that), I want to be very careful to share anything that comes out of that in a way that is safe and encouraging. And I would ask that you also show care for others in what you share here. If there are people you want to tell me about, perhaps the better route to go would be to first e-mail or call me (403-981-5910).
So I am inviting you to join me on this journey of discovery about the arts and artists in Cochrane. I hope you’ll be as amazed and encouraged as I’ve already become, with what we have here to celebrate and enjoy.
Summer 1983
I have a dream. That’s where it begins. And for me it began in the summer of 1983 – one of the darkest times of my life. I won’t get into details here right now – there are other places I tell that story - other than to say it was a time when I felt like an utter failure in my life. But out of that awful time, a dream was born.
That dream has been back of pretty much everything I have done in the years since. When I began I had no clue how or where that dream could ever become a reality, but I started toward it anyway, one step at a time, the best I knew how. I’ll probably share bits and pieces of that journey as we go along here.
Fast forward a whole lot of years to Fall 2007
My husband and I traveled to Europe for a month. Maybe it was the time away, seeing things from a new perspective, or whatever, but one of the things we discussed was how we have had dreams and keep nibbling away at bits and pieces of them, but we have never really gone after the big one, the one we really want. Somehow that always seemed too big to do now.
But that discussion got me thinking ...and thinking ...and thinking.
Christmas 2007
Yup, it was at Christmas when I finally came to the place of saying "YES, NOW" to my dream. The dream of creating an arts and business village.
And so the journey has begun. From January to the end of April, I began work on the website that would be the beginning of this dream - Willowrose Village. At the beginning of May I began with that full time.
Mid-June 2008 - The Start of Arts Cochrane
As I began to get back into the world of the arts, I began thinking again about what a great arts community we have here in Cochrane. I had been given the opportunity (in writing an Arts & Crafts column) to explore that when I first came to Cochrane over 20 years ago, and it was amazing then. So I began to take another good look now.
And that's when I felt that there was something here I could do. Both as part of my business and also as a gift to this community. One of my business services is to design websites, so I decided to start a website to feature the arts in Cochrane. I also decided to see about writing a column, and my thanks to Jack and Ian Tennant for giving me that opportunity again.
So now here you are on the Arts Cochrane blog & website, and here we are - beginning the journey together.
July 30,2008
I've spent the past week getting the website basics in place in time for the launch of the Arts Cochrane column in The Cochrane Eagle. I was able to contact a fair number of the arts groups and businesses I had found, as well as some artists, and at least got some of them on the website. It was great to get back in touch with a number of them that I had known from years ago.
I caught the tail end of an interview on CBC with the Alberta Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. Apparently they have initiated an annual Alberta Arts Day to celebrate the arts in Alberta. Sounds like a great idea. I'll be looking into that in more detail!
August 1, 2008
I'm the kind of person who likes to see stuff get done, not just talked about. So today I registered an Arts Cochrane entry for our Labor Day Parade on September 1. I'll invite the arts community to come and get involved. Hopefully for next year, there will be a team that will help to organize this ahead of time, but I want to see something get started this year.
August 4, 2008
Part of promoting the arts in Cochrane is to get word out to our local community, but part of it is also going to be about promoting the arts as a tourist destination or attraction. So today I added the first of the Arts Cochrane for Tourists section on the website. I'm hoping if people have ideas or details to add to that, that they will let me know.
August 5, 2008
I spoke to Terrance Haxton, Program Coordinator, at the library today. I was looking for information on writers and discovered that our Nan Boothby Memorial Library has a Writer-in-residence program. The writer for this fall session is Peter Norman, and I will be getting more information from him about what he has in store. So if you are a local writer, you'll want to check that out.
So this is a personal journal in a way - mine and yours – about the artists I/we meet (and the folks who enjoy and want to support the arts), the events that happen, the ideas that are shared, the things we struggle with, where we need help and encouragement, our thoughts and musings along the way.
Just a note here – while this is a journal, I am not just going to blab about everything and everyone. When I write about people in this journal, if it is in any way private or personal, it will not go public until and unless I have that person’s permission. If it’s about something that is public knowledge, then I consider that public and open to being written about. But when I meet with you personally, or hear from you personally, (and I very much hope you will feel free to do that), I want to be very careful to share anything that comes out of that in a way that is safe and encouraging. And I would ask that you also show care for others in what you share here. If there are people you want to tell me about, perhaps the better route to go would be to first e-mail or call me (403-981-5910).
So I am inviting you to join me on this journey of discovery about the arts and artists in Cochrane. I hope you’ll be as amazed and encouraged as I’ve already become, with what we have here to celebrate and enjoy.
Summer 1983
I have a dream. That’s where it begins. And for me it began in the summer of 1983 – one of the darkest times of my life. I won’t get into details here right now – there are other places I tell that story - other than to say it was a time when I felt like an utter failure in my life. But out of that awful time, a dream was born.
That dream has been back of pretty much everything I have done in the years since. When I began I had no clue how or where that dream could ever become a reality, but I started toward it anyway, one step at a time, the best I knew how. I’ll probably share bits and pieces of that journey as we go along here.
Fast forward a whole lot of years to Fall 2007
My husband and I traveled to Europe for a month. Maybe it was the time away, seeing things from a new perspective, or whatever, but one of the things we discussed was how we have had dreams and keep nibbling away at bits and pieces of them, but we have never really gone after the big one, the one we really want. Somehow that always seemed too big to do now.
But that discussion got me thinking ...and thinking ...and thinking.
Christmas 2007
Yup, it was at Christmas when I finally came to the place of saying "YES, NOW" to my dream. The dream of creating an arts and business village.
And so the journey has begun. From January to the end of April, I began work on the website that would be the beginning of this dream - Willowrose Village. At the beginning of May I began with that full time.
Mid-June 2008 - The Start of Arts Cochrane
As I began to get back into the world of the arts, I began thinking again about what a great arts community we have here in Cochrane. I had been given the opportunity (in writing an Arts & Crafts column) to explore that when I first came to Cochrane over 20 years ago, and it was amazing then. So I began to take another good look now.
And that's when I felt that there was something here I could do. Both as part of my business and also as a gift to this community. One of my business services is to design websites, so I decided to start a website to feature the arts in Cochrane. I also decided to see about writing a column, and my thanks to Jack and Ian Tennant for giving me that opportunity again.
So now here you are on the Arts Cochrane blog & website, and here we are - beginning the journey together.
July 30,2008
I've spent the past week getting the website basics in place in time for the launch of the Arts Cochrane column in The Cochrane Eagle. I was able to contact a fair number of the arts groups and businesses I had found, as well as some artists, and at least got some of them on the website. It was great to get back in touch with a number of them that I had known from years ago.
I caught the tail end of an interview on CBC with the Alberta Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. Apparently they have initiated an annual Alberta Arts Day to celebrate the arts in Alberta. Sounds like a great idea. I'll be looking into that in more detail!
August 1, 2008
I'm the kind of person who likes to see stuff get done, not just talked about. So today I registered an Arts Cochrane entry for our Labor Day Parade on September 1. I'll invite the arts community to come and get involved. Hopefully for next year, there will be a team that will help to organize this ahead of time, but I want to see something get started this year.
August 4, 2008
Part of promoting the arts in Cochrane is to get word out to our local community, but part of it is also going to be about promoting the arts as a tourist destination or attraction. So today I added the first of the Arts Cochrane for Tourists section on the website. I'm hoping if people have ideas or details to add to that, that they will let me know.
August 5, 2008
I spoke to Terrance Haxton, Program Coordinator, at the library today. I was looking for information on writers and discovered that our Nan Boothby Memorial Library has a Writer-in-residence program. The writer for this fall session is Peter Norman, and I will be getting more information from him about what he has in store. So if you are a local writer, you'll want to check that out.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Two Great Projects
Arts Cochrane in the Parade
The goal of Arts Cochrane is to promote the arts in Cochrane, so we will be exploring lots of ideas for how to do that.
One thing that I think the arts community could do to get word out first of all to Cochrane itself, is to have an entry in our Labor Day Parade on Sept 1. So I have registered an entry for Arts Cochrane and will be getting in touch with those I can to come and be part of this.
You're invited to be part of this - just let me know you want to! Please check out the Parade page for more details.
Alberta Arts Day
Hurray! Alberta is setting aside one day a year especially to celebrate the arts in Alberta. What a wonderful idea!
While it is rather short notice for this year, I would still invite you to check out our Cochrane Alberta Arts Day page to see if there is something you could do that day to celebrate the arts. Let me know and I'll add your event or celebration to our page.
Creatively yours,
Evelyn Grace Marinoski,
Arts Cochrane at Willowrose Village
July 30 - Arts Cochrane Column Launches Today
Welcome to Arts Cochrane, the website that promotes the art and artists of Cochrane and area.
Today I welcome the newest part of this venture - the first column in the new Arts Cochrane section in The Cochrane Eagle.
The purpose of the column, as well as this website, is to promote and highlight the abundance of arts and artists in this community. Not only to make Cochrane residents more aware of what wonderful arts things go on in this community, but to reach out to other areas - Calgary, Alberta, Canada and even the world.
My hope is that the column, the website, and other projects to come, will become a central place for the arts community to meet and to share with each other, to grow and build together.
Let's get the word out that Cochrane is an amazing arts community, and that there is even better to come!
Please explore the website - and then I invite you to get involved in whatever ways you would like, from small to large. Please note that this website is just beginning and that many more listings and ideas will be added as we go.
Creatively yours,
Evelyn Grace Marinoski,
Arts Cochrane at Willowrose Village
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