Alberni Art Rave

Join the last Creative Sector Conversation Café of 2022!

Thursday December 1st
7-9pm
Steampunk Cafe & Coffee House
*free of charge, open to all*

Cogitationem means Reflections! Meet local Creatives of the Alberni Valley, get caught up on what has taken place during the last 5 creative conversations, and join the discussion on where we might want to go from here. Do you secretly or not-so-secretly engage in creative expression? Or perhaps you are a supporters of your artsy friends and colleagues? Add your voice to a guided exploration into the Alberni Valley’s creative sector as we consider:

• Who is in our community actively making art?
• What local supports are enabling local creative culture?
• What could elevate our local arts/creative sector?
• What is needed to help Port Alberni become an arts hub?

Share what you think about Port Alberni’s potential to become a thriving creative community where arts and culture are a way of life.

Reflect and recognize, but dream big! Dream bold!

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Port Alberni’s Conversation Café is going Live on Zoom!

Thurs Nov 17
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Zoom Link: www.tinyurl.com/47mvkt9d  

Featuring, well YOU, of course, plus a very special guest who is a’ movin’ and a’ shakin’ in the creative sector:

***Jenny Farkas, Co-Chair of Creative Coast***

Creative Coast is a collaboration of artists and arts organizations actively forging connections and synergies with sectors such as economic development and tourism. Why? Because art touches everything: it is a fundamental component of community and individual wellness, tourism and business sector vitality, and so much more.

Join creatives and supporters of the creative kind for a conversational session exploring the ups, downs, and in-betweens of creative sector initiatives in nearby communities.

1. What exciting creative projects are ‘on the go’, and what can we learn from them?
2. What are the founding pieces for successful creative projects and programs?
3. Where did the resources and funding come from?

Be inspired, be ignited for your next creative venture.

Creative Coast projects: https://www.creativecoast.ca/current-projects
Tofino Arts Council: www.tofinoartscouncil.com

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What is the Conversation Cafe?
A meeting of the Alberni Valley’s creatives in a chill local setting where we give voice to key issues in the creative sector, learn about opportunities and challenges at the local level, and plot our way forward in the new realities of our changing community.

Since we are on zoom this time, we welcome newcomers from outside the valley to join the conversation and share their perspective.

***Facilitated by Theresa Kingston***

This event brought to you by Alberni Art Rave, Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot, the Community Arts Council and Theresa Kingston.

Mark Thine Calendar. 
One more session left in the series: Thursday Dec 1 

What do we want?
A more creative Port Alberni!
When do we want it?
Yesterday!

Join a spirited dialogue session with Port Alberni’s creative minds as we focus on the concept of Port Alberni as a Vancouver Island Arts Hub.

• What comes to mind when you think of “Arts Hub”?
• What does it mean to be part of a Vancouver Island arts ecosystem?
• How can we shine a spotlight on our collective creativity?

As always, come prepared to meet new people, share your creative know-how, and be part of the growth of our creative city.

**NEW** Event kicks off with a presentation from career artist Gordon Dick about the different visual signatures of regional art forms. What makes Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakiutl, and Coast Salish art forms different from each other? Learn to recognize those key differences and broaden your understanding of our island’s longest-running art form.

Thurs. Nov 3
7-9pm
@Ahtsik Gallery & Gordon Dick Studio
7133 Pacific Rim Higway (before Tseshaht Market)

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What is the Conversation Cafe?
A meeting of the Alberni Valley’s creatives in a chill local setting where we give voice to key issues in the creative sector, learn about opportunities and challenges at the local level, and plot our way forward in the new realities of our changing community.
***Facilitated by Theresa Kingston***

This event brought to you by Alberni Art Rave, Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot, the Community Arts Council and Theresa Kingston.

Two more sessions to go!  Nov 17 & Dec 1 

The conversation continues! Join us Thursday October 20th from 7-9pm at Steampunk Cafe and choose from a full-course menu of brand spankin’ new activities designed to build upon the themes and ideas explored during our previous sessions.

• What does an engaged, active and healthy creative sector look like to you?
• How would our community be transformed if artists had free reign?

We are digging deeper this time – so bring your metaphorical shovels and prepare for a close encounter with what your mind…mines

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What is the Conversation Cafe?
A meeting of the Alberni Valley’s creatives in a chill local setting where we give voice to key issues in the creative sector, learn about opportunities and challenges at the local level, and plot our way forward in the new realities of our changing community.
***Facilitated by Theresa Kingston***

This event brought to you by Alberni Art Rave, Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot, the Community Arts Council and Theresa Kingston.

Stay tuned for announcements about 3 more sessions! Nov 3, Nov 17, Dec 1 

A panel of local creative entrepreneurs tell all! The good, the bad and the ugly about starting and sustaining and arts-based business in the Alberni Valley. What does success look like? What lessons can be learned? How can we as a community support those who choose a creative path?

Thursday October 6th from 7-9pm at The Argyle Room, 5022 Argyle Street

Meet the panelists:

• GORDON DICK, Artist and owner of Ahtsik Gallery & Gordon Dick Studio
• DEREK HANEBURY, Writer & Instructor
• SHAYNE LLOYD, Artist & Graphic Designer
• MEGHANN RADER, Illustrator & owner of Meghann Rader Illustration

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What is the Conversation Cafe?
A meeting of the Alberni Valley’s creatives in a chill local setting where we give voice to key issues in the creative sector, learn about opportunities and challenges at the local level, and plot our way forward in the new realities of our changing community.
***Facilitated by Theresa Kingston***

This event brought to you by Alberni Art Rave, Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot, the Community Arts Council and Theresa Kingston.

Stay tuned for announcements about 4 more sessions! 

Meet the Alberni Valley’s creatives in a chill local setting where we give voice to key issues in the creative sector, share opportunities and challenges, and plot our way forward in the new realities of our changing community.

***Facilitated by Theresa Kingston***

Announcing 6 NEW Creative Sector Events!

Thurs Sept 22 – THE OUTER LIMITS…OF THE ARTSCAPE
7-9pm @ Steampunk Café

The arts are a powerful force that can shape, define and redefine our community in new and profound ways. What does that look like in Port Alberni? What could it look like? And how can we get there? Join the open, no holds barred, deep-dive conversation.

Thurs Oct 6 – THE CAREER ARTIST. FACT OR FICTION?
7-9pm @ Venue TBA

A panel of local career artists tell all! The good, the bad and the ugly about starting and sustaining an arts-based business in the AV. What does does success look like? What lessons can be learned? How can we support those who choose a creative path?

+4 MORE SESSIONS!

There’s a fresh creative force in our community – what happens when that energy is harnessed in one space? 

Wednesday August 31st  |  7:00-9:00pm
AV Museum, Echo Centre, 4255 Wallace Street

Next Gen Arts is a gathering of the Alberni Valley’s Artists, Creatives, Dreamers (and their supporters!) for a short-burst evening of music, food, and unexpected activities. Facilitator Theresa Kingston is taking us on a moon walk designed to open minds and voices about the trajectory of the local arts scene. Open to all ages, open to all arts disciplines, open to the curious and imaginative. It’s Arts 2.0 – The Next Generation!

• Live music by BRIAN BENTLEY
• Local refreshments
• Unexpected activities
• UPDATE 08.24.2022: Unexpected door prizes!

The evening takes place at the Alberni Valley Museum during the  Emergence art exhibit and is free of charge. This artistic star-gazing event is brought to you by the Community Arts Council, Alberni Art Rave and Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot.