Last Sunday July 11 the GAPACC artists were demonstrating :

Abbey Allen in paintings, Helen Jones in wood carving, Nancy Stevens in people drawing, Felicity Redgrave in animal drawing, Bruce Campbell in canvas painting, Larche artists in papermaking, Michel de Noncourt in sculpture, Greg Melchin and his brother in a drumming workshop and Ann Comozzi in silk painting.

This is the first time ever that GAPACC artists have been formally invited to participate actively at an Highland Games cultural event. The invitation was brought to GAPACC by Ann Marie MacKenzie Secretary of the Games.

Thank you to the artists who took time to not only be present but to engage in demonstrating and asking participation from the visitors.

Art reaching the community at the ground level as our GAPACC mandate.

Thank you specially to Tila Kellman who coordinated this GAPACC  Exhibition Committee event. Let’s all be back next year !

GAPACC and the Gathering of the Arts are pleased to present a number of workshops for people of all ages!

Riding with the Romans: Classical Sculpture

Wednesday, July 7^th, 1.00pm, St. James United Church

In this session Fenn Martin will be leading a presentation on how to sculpt figures in clay. In this participatory group project, we will create an action packed adventure scene, and mount it for display. Time to dig in, get your hands dirty and create your favourite heroes in clay! All clay and tools provided.  All ages welcome!

The Art of Calligraphy: Japanese-style Ink-Brush Painting

Saturday, July 10^th, 1.30pm, St. James United Church

Local artist and professional designer Ruth Young will provide an introduction to Japanese-style ink-brush painting. Come learn and participate in this introduction to an ancient and sophisticated art form! Materials provided on site. Ages 8 and up.

Groove Workshop: Hand drumming

Sunday, July 11^th, 1.00pm, Columbus Field

Professional drummer Brendan Melchin will introduce concepts of rhythm and “groove” to young people while developing basic hand drum technique. No prior musical experience is necessary, and hand drums will be provided at the workshop.

The Camera Eye: Photography

Wednesday, July 14^th, 10.00am, St. James United Church

Cara Jones of Intuitive Eye Productions (www.carajones.ca) will host a workshop on techniques of artistic photography. Get an introduction to the techniques used by professional photographers! Don’t forget to bring a camera!

Landscapes/Streetscapes: Watercolour

Wednesday, July 14^th, 2.00pm, St. James United Church

Local artist Felicity Redgrave will help participants develop their watercolour technique. Participants are encouraged to bring a photograph of their choice for painting. Watercolour supplies provided.

For all workshops, pre-registration is not necessary – just show up before the event! There is a $5 registration fee for all workshops. For more information, call 867-2172 or e-mail Greg Melchin at gmelchin@stfx.ca

I want to take this occasion to invite all GAPACC members to attend the Annual General Meeting happening Tuesday evening June 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the St FX Art Gallery. On this occasion the Board will be looking to rename our organization to more accurately reflect our mandate in the area. We are also looking at acquiring Charitable Status in order to facilitate our fund raising and there will be a discussion on a proposal for a new  strategic plan.

Please become a GAPACC member by signing up a membership form at www.gapacc.ns.ca and be a part of a new cultural revival in our community.

Michel de Noncourt

GAPACC Chair

Guysborough Antigonish Pictou Arts and Culture Council (GAPACC) is pleased to announce the thirteenth annual Gathering of the Arts (GoArts)! The exhibition is open to artists working in all media. All pieces must be new submissions to the Gathering of the Arts. A jury of peers from the Nova Scotia arts community will select the works to be exhibited. The decisions of the jurors are final. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, June 9th.

SUBMISSIONS

Applicants may submit up to five 35mm slides, color photographs, or .jpg files saved to CD (300dpi resolution, 5”x7” size).  No actual art work will be accepted for the application process. The title, medium, size and artist’s name must be attached to the slide or photograph. Place a red dot in the lower left-hand corner for correct slide viewing. CDs must be labeled with the artist’s name, and digital .jpg files must be numbered to correspond with the submission information given on the entry form. E-mailed submissions will not be accepted. Submission material will be returned to artists following completion of the jury process. Please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope for the return of slides, photos and CDs. A completed entry form and applicable fees must accompany submissions.

FEES

Applicants must join or be current members of GAPACC to participate. Membership in GAPACC is open to all interested artists and is not limited to residents of Guysborough, Antigonish or Pictou Counties. If your 2010 membership in GAPACC is current, then please enclose payment for the $15 entry fee. If your membership is due, or you are joining GAPACC for the first time, please enclose payment for $20 membership and $15 entry fee ($35) and a completed membership application form. Payment is by cheque or money order. Completed application package with CV must be postmarked no later than Fri June 4, 2010 and mailed to GAPACC, PO Box 1175, Antigonish, NS, B2G 2L6.

RESTRICTIONS

A maximum of five pieces may be accepted based on jurors’ recommendations. Works that are larger than 48”x 84”, or that are fragile or difficult to install and transport cannot be accepted.  All works must be for sale.  Work must be ready to hang or display.  For transport art work must be packaged with folded cardboard wrapped in each direction and marked with artist’s name and artwork title on the outside.  If these conditions are not fulfilled at the time of delivery, art work will not be included in the exhibition.

TRANSPORT

Initial delivery of art work to the Antigonish location, and final pick-up after the exhibition is over, is the responsibility of the artist. More details on where to deliver accepted art work will be forthcoming when the juried submissions are returned to you. At the end of the show, art work can be picked up at the venue in Antigonish, July 19^th and July 18th.

SECURITY

All exhibition venues are secure, and attendants will be present during open hours.  Art works will be insured for 67% of listed selling price for the duration of the exhibition.

CATALOGUE & PUBLICITY

Exhibiting artists will be listed in the Official Program. Participants are asked to submit a CV or brief biography with their application.  Artist statements and any contact information for display may be submitted with delivery of art work.  GoArts will be publicized through radio, newspapers, flyers, tourist publications, GAPACC broadcast email, and the GAPACC web site.

SALES

GAPACC will handle all sales and will charge 33% commission. GAPACC will issue artists a cheque for their sales at the conclusion of the show. Artists are responsible for negotiating further commissions with their dealers if they are represented.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE GATHERING OF THE ARTS SUBMISSION FORM

For more info e-mail info@gapacc.ns.ca

The Guysborough Antigonish Pictou Art Community Council has been a main cultural player in Northern Nova Scotia for the past 12 years. As Chair , I appreciate this opportunity to summerize the accomplishments done by a dedicated group of volunteers who value highly the cultural life in our community.

With the new Library the People’s Place being built in the heart centre of Antigonish, GAPACC is cultivating a potential partnership with the new Library to help showcase local contemporary art and artists.

We are looking as a Board to produce cultural events in conjunction with the town merchants association. Our goal is to have different cultural art events happening in town during the four seasons. Hopefully this will involve ongoing communication with local bussiness representatives…

Presently, the Tall & Small Café and the Easting Bread and Honey Co. are sponsoring local art shows in conjunction with GAPACC. We appreciate their support.

In June GAPACC will celebrate the Summer Soltice with an outdoor  evening slide show produced by local artists and young people. Watch the local media for the time and place of this « fire element happening » downtown!…

During the summer months GAPACC artists will participate in the annual juried Gathering of the Arts exhibit (GOArts) A great occasion to view and purchase the latest best offerings from our local artists.

Since last February GAPACC has established a Youth Mentorship opportunity program where our members are sharing their expertises with interested local young persons. Art works created by students during this program will be made available for the Gathering of the Arts exhibition in the summer.

I want to take this occasion to invite all GAPACC members to attend the Annual General Meeting happening Tuesday evening June 22 at the St FX Art Gallery. On this occasion the Board will be looking to rename our organization to more accurately reflect our mandate in the area. We are also looking at acquiring Charitable Status in order to facilitate our fund raising and there will be a discussion on a proposal for a new  strategic plan.

Please become a GAPACC member by signing up a membership form at www.gapacc.ns.ca and be a part of a new cultural revival in our community.

Michel de Noncourt

GAPACC Chair

The GAPACC board of directors is pleased to announce four mentorship opportunities for youth in Guysborough, Antigonish & Pictou counties.  The mentorship program is a new initiative which will pair young artists (age 8-18 yrs) with established GAPACC member artists who wish to share their expertise.  We are accepting applications for both mentors and students in all disciplines: music, dance, thatre, film, and visual arts. Deadline for submissions is January 27th.  For more information and to download the application form click to keep reading…

We are seeking GAPACC member artists who wish to share their expertise and enthusiasm with an interested young person. This will be a pilot project for 2010, after which, it will be evaluated and decisions made re the future.

GAPACC is now seeking applications from interested members in all 3 counties. The following information will detail expectations.

1. Mentors will be members of GAPACC resident in Antigonish, Guysborough or Pictou Counties.

2. The mentorship will begin Feb 2010 and extend for 6 months.

3. Mentors will be matched with interested youth from their own local area. Local school authorities will be asked to assist in matching students.

4. Students will be aged 8-18yrs., and will be given a free GAPACC Membership for 2010. Parent permission will be required.

5. All mentors will be required to submit an application (see below), and have an RCMP clearance (required for anyone teaching/dealing with children under age 16 yrs.)

6. Mentor applications are invited from any area of the arts– visual art, dance, film, music etc.

7. Mentors will be paid a stipend of $250.00 for the 6 months.

8. Mentors and students will be required to meet at least 6 times.

9. Students will be responsible for materials, travel etc.

10. Mentors and students will be required to submit an evaluation at the end of the period.

11. Work created by students during this program will be made available for GAPACC’s summer exhibition, the Gathering of the Arts .

APPLICATION PROCESS

Mentors are asked to submit

• A letter of interest, with some indication of teaching experience/interest and a description of teaching/mentoring location/facility (home/studio)

• A current CV.

• RCMP clearance. Drop by your local RCMP office to get your criminal record check completed. Bring a piece of identification plus the $20.00 fee. If not already obtained please indicate that you will do so – and submit as soon as available.

All information may be mailed to: GAPACC PO Box 1175. Antigonish, NS, B2G 2L6 or submitted electronically to gapacc@gmail.com

Closing date for applications from Mentors is Jan 27, 2010.

To download this application form click here.

click me to see more images from this event.

GAPACC hosts the pre- Christmas Parade show

On Saturday Nov 28th families are invited to visit and participate in a snowflake and origami making workshop between 10-2 at the John Paul Center. There will be several tables of little snowflake makers each hosted by a  GAPACC snow elf to assist with the process.  All materials will be provided.  There will be Live music and face painting provided by local childrens entertainer Sunshine Sue.  So please join us anytime between 10-2pm for a relaxed afternoon of snowflake making! 

Special thanks to the John Paul center and GAPACC Exhibitions committee for their gracious support.

GAPAAC with a new look

GAPACC has a new fresh image on the internet. Nick Johnson our new web page coordinator with the help of Ruth, Fenn and Kristen has been working hard at revamping the GAPACC web page.

After ten years of the same page presentation it was time to innovate and come up with a livelier look.

This is an interactive web site and we want artists to contribute actively with stories and photos. We want to see artists share their studio experiences and art shows. We want organizations to join in and publicize their events. Blogs and comments are there to be used by all.

GAPACC has the mandate to represent the three counties of Guysborough, Antigonish, Pictou and so with this new web site we want to invite all artists to brighten up the quality of life in Northern Nova Scotia.

Take time to read Nick Johnson article in this newsletter and click on to www.gapacc.ns.ca to feel a breath of fresh air !

Michel de Noncourt

GAPACC Chair