Martin Creed (detail) Work No. 1000: Broccoli prints (2009-2010) various paints on card, in 1,000 parts | 9 1/8 x 9 1/8 in (23 x 23 cm) each Rennie Museum | 51 East Pender St | Vancouver
LOOSE STORY AND CONSUMPTION COMBINE FOR TIGHT RESULTS LAUREN DONNELLY Megan Dietrich is sitting on the patio of Mount Pleasant’s Kranky Cafe. “This place has my favourite iced coffee,” she says. She’s kind of an expert. It’s her second cup today and coffee consumption is a foundational part of her artistic process. “In terms of my process – my comics are so observational – there’s a lot of sitting with coffee Yes, it’s fur real. Meowfest, a festival celebrating all things feline, takes place at the Roundhouse this month. The event is being put on by Meowbox (a locally-based, monthly subscription box for cats that includes toys, treats, and more) and is the first of its kind on the west coast. For cat-lovers, and for Meowbox community manager Sarita Fichtner, it’s like something out of a dream. and my sketchbook and just doodling face after face after face,” she says. Her process is as unpretentious as she is. Dietrich’s mixed media abstract work is currently exhibited at Victoria’s Madrona Gallery, but this <strong>July</strong> she’s showing a different side of her art in a Vancouver show. MEOWFEST WEST COAST’S FIRST CAT FESTIVAL CHAMPIONS ADOPTION, COMMUNITY YASMINE SHEMESH Illustration by Megan Dietrich Megan Dietrich is showcasing her work in a collaborative way to engage with her audience. Meowfest promises a full day of feline fun that will encourage all to paws and reflect. “We’re passionate about animal welfare and we just always found an overwhelming sense of community when it came to bringing cat people together,” she says. “Planning a larger event for cat-lovers was something we had always discussed and, after putting on a few smaller, successful fundraisers, we felt ready to take things to the next level.” It’s called LOOSE, and Dietrich has planned a two-day pop-up shop and art party that bucks traditional art show conventions. The party opens Saturday night with live music and a bar that includes vodka slushies and merch sales. On day two, there’ll be a vintage shop curated by local fashion plate Lydia Okello. Some of the proceeds will go to the Chinatown Action Group to acknowledge the neighbourhood hosting the event. Her illustrated work is an outlet for what she calls “satirical cultural critique,” and her comic, Loosely Based, is a dark commentary loosely based on her own life. To supplement her artist income, Dietrich has worked a multitude of jobs, ranging from event setup to construction to serving bratwurst at the Christmas market. As it turns out, being a millennial is fertile ground for comedic one-liners. “We talk about being involved in a story and connection and community,” Dietrich says. “And I think when you make a show a party, it’s a little more approachable. By collaborating, it positions my art in a different context – it just creates a better vibe to share work.” LOOSE kicks off at the Playground at 434 Columbia Street with a party on <strong>July</strong> 7 and runs until <strong>July</strong> 8. Meowfest will be donating 100 per cent of its proceeds to the <strong>BC</strong>SPCA, as well as a handful of other charities like the Langley Animal Protection Society and New Westminster Animal Shelter. Cats available for adoption will be on-site, too. Along with adoption opportunities, the festival will feature a wide variety of vendors, a boutique carrying handcrafted gifts for both cats (think adorable bow ties and beds) and cat-lovers (prints, jewelry, and more). There’ll also be a workshop by renowned kitten rescuer Hannah Shaw and appearances by celebrity cats like Nala Cat (listed as a top influencer in 2017 by Forbes). And while this is Meowfest’s inaugural year, Fichtner says that the response has been so great that they are looking ahead to potentially make this a reoccurring event. “It’s been so interesting to see how much attention we’ve already received and, even just in the first few months of planning, how excited people were. All across North America, people have reached out saying they’re going to come out and we’ve got vendors from Australia and Singapore. It’s just been really amazing to see the response. Of course, right now we’re just focusing on doing the best we can this year, but I think we definitely want to see what we can do after that. It’s been so much fun, I think we just want to keep it going.” Sounds purrfect. Meowfest takes place at the Roundhouse on <strong>July</strong> 29. CITY AMPLIFY <strong>BC</strong> PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TURNS UP THE SUPPORT FOR OUR MUSIC COMMUNITIES CARLOS OEN In an effort to support <strong>BC</strong>´s vibrant music industry, the provincial government has announced $7.5 million in funding to launch Amplify <strong>BC</strong>. This program is the continuation of <strong>BC</strong> Music Fund (<strong>BC</strong>MF), which was launched in February of 2016. Amplify <strong>BC</strong> is part of Creative <strong>BC</strong>, a broad initiative headed by experienced Prem Gill and focused on uniting, supporting, and expanding <strong>BC</strong>´s motion picture, digital media, book publishing, and music industries. “With close to 285 music companies, more than 200 festivals, and 160 recording studios, British Columbia is the third largest music production centre in Canada,” says Prem Gill, CEO of Creative <strong>BC</strong>. Artists and music companies are encouraged to apply for grants that could cover up to 50 per cent of “eligible expenses.” Four programs cover all areas of the music business. Career Development is aimed to assist emerging and established <strong>BC</strong> artists, as well as international musicians coming to record in the province. It covers sound recording, video production, and promotion. The Live Music Top-Up Program supports <strong>BC</strong>based music festivals, venues, and live producers that are already recipients of funding through the <strong>BC</strong>MF. Music Industry Initiatives fund events that increase <strong>BC</strong>´s music industry capacity. Conferences, talent incubators, showcases, and digital platforms are some of the actions that fall under this category. A fourth program, Music Company Development, is to be launched early next August. Amplify <strong>BC</strong> may be that additional band member or business partner that can make a difference to your music enterprise. Those interested are strongly encouraged to visit their site, for there are multiple deadlines and details in the application process. For more information on Amplify <strong>BC</strong>, visit creativebc.com. Photo by Lea Chambers Amplify <strong>BC</strong> turns up community support. <strong>July</strong> <strong>2018</strong> 9