Summer Visual Arts Festival Scheduled June 27 - July 5
Fredericton (February 17, 2009) - Michael Maynard, principal of the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design, has been named chairman of this summer's Visual Arts Festival, which will showcase New Brunswick's visual arts and celebrate Fredericton as a 2009 Cultural Capital of Canada.
The Summer Visual Arts Festival is one of 15 special projects announced last Fall as part of the City's 2009 Cultural Capital of Canada celebration.
"We are very pleased to have Mr. Maynard chair this festival, which will include projects and exhibitions to celebrate our local visual artists and galleries," said Councillor Dan Keenan Chair of the City's Development Committee. "This festival will be one of the highlights of our year-long reign as a 2009 Cultural Capital of Canada."
Mr. Maynard will chair the festival organizing committee, which includes members of the arts community. The festival will take place June 27 - July 5, 2009.
The festival will feature several events, including an exhibition of works by New Brunswick emerging artists at Government House, a Visual Arts Symposium and an Art Market in Officers Square in downtown Fredericton. As well the City annual 'Cultural Crawl' will be held Thursday, July 2 as part of the festival. The Culture Crawl is a collaboration of local galleries where they extend their hours on a Thursday night and host special exhibitions.
Upcoming artists from around the province will be encouraged to submit their work for consideration in the Provincial Emerging Artists Exhibition. A jury will select works to be exhibited for six weeks at Government House. A call for submissions will go out soon.
The Visual Arts Symposium will be held during the June 27 weekend. A sub-committee is putting together details for the symposium which will involve specialists and panellists discussing the subject of visual arts.
The Art Market in Officers Square will be held on the July 3-5 weekend. Visual artists from around the province will set up booths to display and sell their work. The market will be set up similar to the annual NB Fine Craft Festival.
Additional activities such as workshops, demonstrations, and children's activities are also in the planning stage.
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Media Contact: Angela Watson, Cultural Development Officer, City of Fredericton, (506) 460-2411.
