One thing we have learned about running a three week arts ‘festival’…there is no such thing as NO we can’t. It’s yes time. All things are possible…all things are subject to change – but there is no NO.
Let’s start with the annual Raven about the Arts Awards.
This year’s funding was a bit less than expected and at least four of our hard core volunteers (and when you have four hard core volunteers you really have eight volunteers!) were going on vacation, a couple had work related issues and some had even moved on to new horizons. The remaining crew took over the gaps, filled them in or the event was simply changed to work with what we had. The doors opened, the MC welcomed the full room of artists and art lovers and the night went off without a hitch.
The photos are up on our Flickr site… http://www.flickr.com/photos/albertaartspeak/sets/72157631795067324/
And there is a YouTube video where the award winners tell you about their art in their own words.
The awards night was followed by the third Artists in the Pines weekend with instructor Tessa Nunn. Sunday afternoon music provided by the Artists Guild with guests The Fiddle River Band.
Visits with the Alberta Minister of Culture and Premier Redford…
Tours through the new cultural spaces…scarecrow building, puppet making, dragon drawing!! (you really have to check out the photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/albertaartspeak/sets/72157631630950375/
Wrap that up in a Variety Show of Jasper talent, a community coming together for soup…a photo workshop in the most beautiful time of the year…
So while volunteers can fall victim to jobs… or vacations… Jasperites just seem to be able to bring it together through all kinds of circumstances!
Like the awesome theatre troupe that brought Jasper two nights of live theatre this month. We heard some back stage jitters about minor nervous stage stumbles or bumbles but unless you had written the script – it was perfect! Congrats Jasper Theatre Company!
More pictures on Flickr @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/albertaartspeak/sets/72157631795054762/
And in case you are wondering…throughout the photos you can catch our painted skulls and South American theme…well…its 2012. Yes, it is a year of change. Jasper’s arts community is getting a brand new building for 2013. In early 2011 the Municipality of Jasper invited both the Habitat for the Arts and the Jasper Artists Guild to be part of the new Library/Cultural Building presently under construction. Definitely a time of change! Culture Days and Arts with Altitude 2013 will be bigger and better with the new dedicated artspaces!
SO
THANKS JASPER.
On to the Yellowhead Arts Festival Spring 2013!! Another two weeks of art that YOU can be part of. Ask us how!
jasper@yraf.com