April / May 2004 - Mentoring Artists for Women's Art

Message from Vera
MAWA has been working to encourage and
support women in the development of their art
practices for 20 years this April. We are inviting
our members and friends in the community to
celebrate this event with us on Friday, April 2 from
4–6 pm. April 2 is also First Friday and Shirley
Brown, of Deloraine, Manitoba, will discuss the
impact of isolation on artists. As a successful artist
who lives and works in Deloraine, Manitoba, with
a population of 1040 or so, Shirley is well-situated
to address issues affecting rural artists. May’s First Friday will feature Susan Chafe,
designer of MAWA’s newsletter and many other publications including artists’
books through the Lives of Dogs collective. Susan’s dual careers as artist/
graphic designer, positions her well to provide an overview of graphic design
processes for those of us who work with designers and for those who want to
utilize graphic design and printing processes to produce their own artwork.
We are fortunate to have Mindy Yan Miller and Rebecca Belmore as this
year’s Mentors in Residence. Mindy, who has exhibited her installations internationally
and teaches at Concordia University, will be here June 21 to July 16.
Deadline for application to work with Mindy is April 30. Please see the upcoming
newsletter for information on the Rebecca Belmore residency in September.
Celia Rabinovitch, Director of the School of Art, University of Manitoba, will
present her work as artist and writer on April 17 at 2 pm. A former Winnipegger,
who had been residing in California, Celia returned in September to take up
her position at the School of Art. Please join us in welcoming Celia and finding
out more about her practice. I would like to thank aceartinc for donating space
for this presentation.
As MAWA reflects on our 20 year history, we are proud of our many
accomplishments in supporting women artists: the many women who have
successfully completed our mentorship programs, participated in our symposiums,
workshops, publications and other programs. We are looking ahead to
the next two decades of additional mentorships, increased programming, and
more opportunities for artists. This year we have added the successful First
Friday series and next fall we will have additional mentors in both the
Foundation Advisory Program and the Mentor in Residence Program. We are
planning to increase participation in our programs by rural and remote artists.
These are just a few of the new initiatives that we are developing to keep
MAWA relevant and responsive to its members. In order to facilitate the
offering of our expanded programs and in recognition of the escalating rents in
the Exchange Area, MAWA is examining the feasibility of the purchase of a
building in collaboration with Crossing Communities Art Project. As the cycle of
gentrification hits the Exchange Area, as it has every major city in the country,
the Board is planning for a stable situation for MAWA. One in which we can plan
for the future secure in the knowledge that we will be able to build on what we
have. We are excited about the possibility of partnering with Crossing
Communities in this venture. We will keep you updated on developments in
upcoming newsletters.
Our first joint Spring Art Auction with the Women’s Health Clinic takes
place on April 25. Some outstanding work will be auctioned so please do join us
in celebrating MAWA, the WHC and especially the women artists who are
participating. I look forward to seeing you there.
Vera Lemecha, Executive Director, MAWA
DATE PROGRAM HEADS UP!
APRIL 2
First Friday: Issues of Isolation for Rural Artists:
Shirley Brown 12 pm
First Friday and MAWA 20th Birthday Reception 4 – 6 pm
APRIL 17 Celia Rabinovitch aceartinc 2 pm
APRIL 25 MAWA/WHC Spring Art Auction
Preview 12 pm, Auction 2 pm, The Millenium Center
APRIL 30 Deadline for application to Mentor In Residence Program 4 pm
MAY 7
JUNE 21
First Friday, Design and Print Media for Artists:
Susan Chafe 12 pm
First Friday Reception 4 – 6 pm
Mindy Yan Miller residency begins
Herd Mentality from a collaboration between Shirley Brown and Sheila Spence, 1996
FIRST FRIDAYS
MAWA BOARDROOM Bring your lunch, coffee provided!
12 NOON APRIL 2 SHIRLEY BROWN
ISSUES OF ISOLATION FOR RURAL ARTISTS
Shirley Brown will discuss issues surrounding isolation—the drawbacks
and ways to combat them. Isolation and "rural" attitudes can be detrimental to
an artist. Are we all isolated to a certain degree?
Shirley Brown uses paint and multi-media to explore her interests in
celebrity, power and unexpected disaster. The black humour she enjoys often
figures in her work.
She has studied with many professional instructors in class, workshop and
retreat situations. After participating in the MAWA Foundation Advisory Program,
Shirley became serious about her art. Since then, her work has been exhibited
in group and solo shows across Canada. Shirley has been the recipient of a
number of awards from Manitoba Arts Council and Canada Council. She was
in a residency program at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Her work is included
in various private and public collections such as the Manitoba Arts Council and
Canada Council Art Banks.
Shirley lives and works on her farm near Deloraine in southwest Manitoba.
APRIL IS THE MONTH OF MAWA’S BIRTHDAY!
JOIN US APRIL 2 FROM 4–6:00 PM TO RAISE A GLASS TO CELEBRATE
MAWA’S 20TH BIRTHDAY IN THE MAWA OFFICE, EVERYONE WELCOME!
12 NOON MAY 7 SUSAN CHAFE
DESIGN AND PRINT MEDIA FOR ARTISTS
Susan Chafe will speak about how to prepare materials for print media
projects, books, catalogues, newsletters, etc., both for the artist and for the
editor or curator. She will answer questions such as how to document your
work for publications and what is required to put a publication together. She
will also discuss the options for making artists' books on desktop printers and
the difference between image quality for the internet and for print media.
Susan has worked as a freelance designer in the arts for many years and
founded an artist's book collective called Lives of Dogs in 1995. She is also an
artist who works with sound, installation and sculptural media and has
exhibited her work across Canada. She has been a mentor in the Foundation
Advisory Program and has designed MAWA’s newsletter and the recent
publication Culture of Community.
After her presentation, Susan will be available for consultaions about
individual projects.
Following the lunch hour presentations, you are invited
to book a 1/2 hour consultation with Shirley or Susan.
JOIN US ON MAY 7 FROM 4-6 FOR REFRESHMENTS
THANKS BONNIE!
Bonnie has worked with us this year as a practicum student with the Women’s
Studies Program of the University of Manitoba. She has worked on organizing
our artists’ files, archiving our files, assisting with hospitality for First Fridays,
research in regard to the Caroline Dukes Legacy, and in many other ways. We
appreciate Bonnie’s willingness to pitch in wherever she was needed. We are
really going to miss her.