To all Artists in the CAn Membership, 

                 We would like to share some preliminary information for the Niagara falls into Queen - Harvest Market!

  This thanksgiving weekend we will be creating an Artist’s market in the Niagara Falls City Square.  The market will be open from 11-5PM on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  The event will have Local food for sale, a constant stream of local music, and will feature the arts and crafts of Local Artisans.  We think this will be an excellent opportunity for Local artists and crafters to share their art with Niagara, sell some gifts for the Holiday season, and create a beautiful community event.  

Space is available for rent to CAn members within the designated market area at the event.  We are offering a 10ft by 10ft space at the reasonable cost of $50 for the 3 days.  This fee will pay for permits from the City of Niagara Falls and will be put towards advertising to ensure the event is a success.   We are getting the word out early and we will do our best spread awareness so that the event is well attended and that the artists are taken care of.   All artists who are interested in Market space should contact Leah Feor at simplysustainable@live.com.  There are 20 spaces available, so to ensure space, respond promptly.  

Any artists who are interested in helping out at the event in different ways can contactcommunityartistsniagara@gmail.com .   

We look forward to sharing more information as it comes in. 

 Leah, Emily, and CD
Event Organizers

OPEN CALL FOR PRESENTERS/WORKSHOP LEADERS – July 2010

Community Artists Niagara is accepting proposals for lectures and workshops relating
to the War of 1812 in Niagara, the lifestyles and skills of the era and associated themes
to link contemporary issues. The presentations will be scheduled between October 2010
and April 2011 in the “Dispatches 2012” Project in Niagara Falls, approved by Ontario’s
Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

“Dispatches 2012” intends to develop meaningful opportunities for residents of Niagara
to participate in arts, culture and heritage skills to support activities related to the
commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Stimulating presentations
would include not only a history component but be multi-disciplinary and could include
performance art, mixed media arts as well as traditional trades and skills of the era.

We seek museum interpreters, artists, crafts/trades people, historians, reenactors, and
other culture specialists who can excite the historical imaginations in the minds of their
audience, who can lead interactive, or heritage, or art-based learning sessions or projects
as they communicate social and historical information in an engaging and entertaining
manner.

There are 2 types of presentations:
A Lecture could include topics such as food; the social scene; settling the frontier,
architecture, fashion; first nations culture, tradition and alliances; how to be an effective
communicator of heritage and culture ideas.
A Workshop transforms the lecture theme by teaching practical skills development. For
example, The Costume Seminar presented in May 2010 was followed by a workshop
to cut fabric for 3 garments and review sewing techniques. Heritage trades presenters
and historic sutlers are invited to set up demonstrations and sales displays at a Heritage
Trades Fair proposed for mid-October over the Doors Open weekend.

Requirements and Information

Please provide a brief description (maximum1 page) outlining your concept, duration of
the presentation, audience size for workshops, targeted age group and the fee expected.
The “Dispatches 2012” Project budget suggests artistic rates from the Ontario Arts
Council. Attach a brief CV, contact information and if available, a website address or
several photos of past projects to support your concept.

This call for proposals is open to CAn members, staff and volunteers of Niagara
community partners and other presenters who wish to come to Niagara Falls to
deliver their presentations. Travel honouraria may be available. CAn subscribes to the
Employment Equity principles and gratefully thank all those who demonstrate an interest
in participating; however, we will only be following-up on selected proposals. If you
wish to discuss your proposal, email CAn with the subject “ask Susan to contact me” and
we will reply as soon as possible.

Send submissions to:

Community Artists Niagara,
4323 Queen St.
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2K7

Email: communityartistsniagara@gmail.com
Phone: 905-289-296-6251

Organization Description
Founded in 2008, Community Artists Niagara strives to enrich community life in Niagara
Falls by fostering an appreciation in the arts through active involvement in a variety of
creative experiences.

We’re thankful that it’s not too up close and personal!   Come join an interactive game version of the war, and get a taste of the excitement.Up Close Poster

Art In the Mist

Art in The Mist 2010 was Community Artists Niagara’s first signature event and it was a great success!   The rain held out for the weekend
and though the artists faced some heavy winds the spirit of the weekend was positively beautiful.  The art in the mist crew, led by Torena Gardner- Durdle,
did an excellent job organizing the event for the weekend.   We are excited for next years festival, each year will see growth and new possibilities!

Are you ready for the 1812 Bicentennial?

The following events and issues were discussed at CAn’s general meeting of the membership, January 19.

Upcoming Events

• February 5,6, 7 – Red Ribbon Gala presented by the Fort Erie Arts Council

• February 12, 13, 14 – Heritage Week, NIagara Square CAN has a booth (Who can volunteer?  What creative ideas can we put on display?)

• April 24, 25 – Earth Week, CAN has a large room in the McBain center to create a gallery of Earth conscious art.  contact Jonathan Adams to display art piece.  Call 289 228 2688 or email glass@jonathanadams.ca

• June 12th – Day in the Park (Art Fest Welland).  What role will CAN play? Future (Prospective) Events
  

• Signature event, possibly taking place in Skylon basement.  CAN will need a small army of volunteer help.  Who can help?

• Mercedes Art Fest – Juried selections will be on display

• Art Exhibit & Sale Fairview Mall, St Catharines

At the next general meeting CAn will begin to create a community art piece.  Everyone who attends will be encouraged to add a little something (paint stroke, figure, word(s),
glue something on) to a large canvas.  We will repeat this action every month until the end of the year.

Loads of people stopped to view the artwork of over 30 CAn artist members at Niagara Square, Niagara Falls, Ontario November 14 & 15.  The artwork was set up in every corridor of the mall and in the central courtyard.  Thank you Niagara Square for letting CAn hold this event and for your assistance in the setup.

We are looking for volunteers for various positions during our first annual
Art Show & Sale at the Niagara Square
on Saturday, Nov 14 & Sunday, Nov 15.

We are having a meeting at 4323 Queen Street (across from City Hall) Niagara Falls
Thursday Oct 29, at 6:30pm to discuss the details.

Together we CAn all help to promote Arts & Culture In the Niagara Region!

No amount of time offered is too little and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

CAn – invites you to take advantage of this exciting juried-event opportunity!

You are invited to submit photos of your finest work for a chance to show and sell your art at our upcoming
“VERY ARTSY HOLIDAY EVENT”
at the Niagara Square Shopping Centre in Niagara Falls
November 14 & 15

Here are the exciting details:

Cost:  for the entire two days $15 for CAn members, $25 for non-CAn members (this cost entitles you to a $10 CAn membership),
plus 20% of your sales (10% will go to a charity to be announced shortly and 10% to CAn).

Participants must accompany their displays on both days during all open mall hours.

Indoor Mall spaces of approximately 10’ x 10’ will be provided.

All art mediums are welcome.

Artists may need to provide their own display tables. (Please note that tables may be available and details will follow.)
A description of your display/materials must be provided when applying.  Electricity for displays will not be available.

Participants must attend at the specific times provided for the set-up and the clear-out of their displays – further details to follow.

Applications (with photos) must be submitted to CAn by email to communityartistsniagara@gmail.com

For more information call Dean or Patricia at 289 296 6251.  Application deadline is October 23^rd.

On September 21, 2009 Community Artists Niagra held its first annual general meeting in the Niagara Gallery, 4323 Queen Street, Niagara Falls.  Dean Tedesco welcomed the attending membership and turned the meeting over to Stan Skrzeszewski who chaired the meeting.  Stan summarized the accomplishments of the group during it’s first year.  Next, Helene Levesque gave her report on the financial state of the group.  This was followed with the appointment of an auditor in line with the rules governing not-for-profits.  To finish up the AGM a board of directors was elected.  Returning to the board were Doug Vanasselstine, Carl David Onofrio, Jonathan Adams and Doug Carter.  In addition the nominating committee put forward a slate of candidates for consideration by the membership.  Helene Levesque,  Stan Skrzeszwski, James Gielfeldt and Patricia Rigby-Chmielak who were nominated then unanimously elected by the membership to bring the number of board members up to eight as required by the groups bylaws.  The meeting was then adjourned.

At this point Stan engaged the attending membership in a brain storming session.  The information collected will assist in the strategic planning process over the next year. Refreshments were then served and music was provided by Sweetheart Rebellion.