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

Bette & Wallet Minstrels Extraordinaire

Joy Hanley’s community is rallying together once again to provide the support both spiritually and financially that she needs while waiting in hospital in Halifax for a liver transplant. Bette & Wallet will perform a fundraising concert May 30th at 2pm at the Georgeville Church, Antigonish County.

Joy hails from Cape Breton Nova Scotia, and has been an active professional in the business community for most of her adult life. Until her illness intervened, Joy was also the Director for the StFX Co-op Program and helped to raise awareness about the program both inside and outside the academic world.

Joy suffers from “Primary Biliary Cirrhosis”, a chronic disease, that causes the bile ducts in the liver to become inflamed and damaged and ultimately, disappear. She was diagnosed 17 years ago and because of a healthy lifestyle has been able to lead a productive life — but “TIME IS UP”! Her liver is shutting down and she needs a liver transplant and is currently waiting on the “transplant list”. “More than 4,000 Canadians are waiting for an organ transplant to save their lives. Last year, only 1,803 transplants were performed. Many patients remain on waiting lists. Unfortunately, 195 Canadians died while waiting for an organ transplant”. http://www.transplant.ca/pubinfo_orgtiss.htm

All proceeds from this concert will go to the Joy Hanley Trust.

Visit bette-wallet.com for more info…

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.

On April 24th, at 8 PM the Bauer Theatre on the St FX campus Molly Thomason, a young singer-songwriter will perform all original work with the help of a group of talented musicians: Donald MacLennan (Mishra’s Dream) on fiddle and vocals, Greg Melchin on bass, Greg Favaro on lead guitar and a special guest, Nova Scotia’s Musician of the year, Ian Sherwood.

Sherwood has been a particular mentor and source of inspiration for Thomason, since they met last summer, when Sherwood came to take part in Stage Two at Festival Antigonish.

“He is such an amazing songwriter, but also a great performer, he pulls you right into his songs,” says Thomason, “You can’t help being inspired by him and watching him to learn. So I’m really excited he’ll be with me on the 24th.”

Molly Thomason is the youngest songwriter ever to be given the support of Nova Scotia’s Tourism and Culture Emerging Music Grant, and has been working on her first fully professional CD. Produced by Tim Feswick in his studio at Broad River, Liverpool, the CD is due for release in early June. Thomason at fourteen, is proud of having raised the funds for this project herself. With still a little way to go though, these musicians agreed to come together to help with this fundraising concert.

Tickets are $10, and are available by calling 902 867 1293 at the Tall and Small Cafe, the Five Cents to A Dollar, and at the door.

Molly Thomason’s Concert is a GAPACC Culture Alive Sponsored Event