Visual Arts Festival Starts This Weekend
Fredericton (June 25, 2009) - The City of Fredericton's year-long reign as a Cultural Capital of Canada swings into high gear this weekend with a Visual Arts Festival celebrating the city's local visual artists and galleries.
The Festival begins Saturday, June 27 with an exhibition of the works of 16 emerging New Brunswick artists at Government House, the Woodstock Road residence of New Brunswick Lieutenant-Governor Herménégilde Chiasson. The exhibition, which runs June 27 to August 14, will feature 31 pieces and will be open to the public in the ground-floor gallery at Government House.
On Monday, June 29, the festival continues with a Visual Arts Symposium at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Visual Arts Practice and Patronage in Atlantic Canada will be the topic of the panel discussion from 7 to 9 p.m. The Symposium will feature artists David McKay and Peter Powning and two arts patrons, Ron Shuebrook and Anne Bertrand.
The Historic Garrison District in Downtown Fredericton will come alive with Festival activities for all ages in and around Officers Square from Monday, June 29 to Sunday, July 5. One of the highlights will be comic art workshops conducted by artist Viravong at the Fredericton Public Library on Monday and Tuesday, June 29 and 30. Viravong, a comic book illustrator from Paris, France, will conduct two sessions on both days at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. - one for children age 7-12 and a second for youths 12-15. You can pre-register at the Library on Carleton Street. Viravong will also give a public lecture on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Centre for Arts & Technology, 130 Carleton Street. His lecture is entitled 'Streams of Comic Book Illustration.'
The Festival continues on Canada Day with a special 'Paint The Town Green' event, which will feature six artists all creating works with a "green" focus. The event will take place on the Green on the banks of the St. John River. The Festival will also have an entry in the Canada Day parade at 4 p.m. entitled "Art of the Move."
From Thursday, July 2 to Sunday July 5, an Art Market Tent will take over Officers Square with 30 booths with visual artists from around New Brunswick selling their works. You can expect to see printmaking, acrylic, oil, wood carving, water colours and more on sale. From 5-8 p.m. on July 2 you can take part in the annual Downtown Culture Crawl, a self-guided tour of the area's art galleries and studios. Brochures are available at City Hall.
On Saturday, July 4, the 'Plein Air' Family Painting Event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Green, between the Pedway and the Lighthouse. Artists and instructors will be on site to give 'plein air' painting tips. Business Fredericton North is also hosting a Family 'Plein Air' painting event on Saturday from 12 - 2 p.m. at the Nashwaaksis Commons. Raid Date for both events is Sunday, July 5.
Canadian Heritage designated Fredericton as a 2009 Cultural Capital of Canada to recognize and support the city's investment in arts and culture. In addition to the title, Fredericton received $500,000 for celebratory and legacy projects throughout the year. The City of Fredericton contributed $150,000 while additional cash and in-kind contributions were made by other government and cultural partners.
The Visual Arts Festival is one of 14 Fredericton projects funded under the Cultural Capitals of Canada umbrella.
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Media Contact: Angela Watson, Cultural Development Officer, City of Fredericton, (506) 460-2411.
