Alberni Art Rave

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.

A shoutout…. Art Rave refuses to die!

Not only was Art Rave’s Annual General Meeting held on Apr. 22 and a new board elected (with places for any of you who want to volunteer), but there a suite of Spring events are planned with more to come.
These events, some in partnership with others, have the promise of being lots of fun and attracting new members.

2022 Art Rave Board:

• Colleen Clancy: Chair,
• Robert Gunn: Treasurer,
• Jillian Mayne: Secretary.
• Board members at large: Theresa Kingston, Laurie Blakley, Sue Thomas, (Beate Grennamen to be confirmed)

On-going events include:

• May 5th – opening reception of the Museum Art Show. Show runs unitl Sept. 13th.
• May 18th – Jolleen Dick: Cultural Appreciation and Appropriation
• June 4th – Elspeth Watson A Lifetime in Art

Dates & details pending…
-In conjunction with RCN Media, launch of Winter Darbey’s new book.
-A free art making event.

Also, pending discussions on:
Arts Council’s Art Battle
Fall Social/Performance Evening?Membership Drive?Fundraiser at Char’s (using Grant’s coupon for venue)

Art Rave was approached by the Heritage Canada Day Committee asking Art Rave to participate. We have a pre-Covid grant in hand for that purpose rolled over from 2020.
A s the site is City property and unceded territory, the decision was made to contact the City requesting their confirmation that a conversation had taken place with the Hupachsath & Tseshaaht Nations.

Art Rave keeps Reconciliation in mind, so with flags still flying at half mast & ongoing forensic investigations at the residential school, a consultation about Canada Day ‘celebration’ is necessary prior to our participation.

*As of May 2nd, Art Rave has not received a confirmation of any consultation re: Canada Day celebration from the City.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS PAY YOUR DUES $10.
Art Rave
C/o 5115 Gordon Ave
Port Alberni
V9Y 6T5

Wesley Bloxham, Art Rave co-founder and friend, passed away on June 4th, 2020, in Port Alberni.
Wes made a home here and was the creator and owner of Islands Gallery, on Argyle St.
Wes welcomed everyone into this remarkable space, which became a hang out for artists and the like, a distillery, of a kind, where the mash up of ideas, energies, dreams, resulted in a potent elixir some might call love.
‘Prenez moi comme je suis’ … ‘take me as I am’ speaks of Wes and his philosophy on life. In his acceptance of others, especially ‘the othered’, it’s how he chose to live his life, and how we will remember him.  As his Art Rave cohorts, we continue to strive to live up to the standards Wes set for all of us.
Join us in sending out thoughts of love and care to Wes’ family and loved ones.

Safe passage dear friend
love,
Colleen and the motley Art Rave crew