Canadian Gothic Exhibit

Local artist Steven Rhude explores Regionalism in "Canadian Gothic". His most recent works are on display at Argyle Fine Art, Halifax. Come meet Steven and see his works on November 16th 1:30-3:30pm.

Visit Steven's analysis on his blog.

Printmaking with Bob Hainstock

INTERMEDIATE PRINTMAKING: (Collography) with Bob Hainstock.

In this 6 week course participants will explore some of the many options for building unique printing plates from fabrics, textured papers, plant materials, metals or wood, as well as printing small varied editions from the plates. A detailed course outline will be available.

Time: Saturdays, 2-4pm, October 26th - November 30th

Fee: 160.00$ gallery members/ 165.00$ non-members

About the Instructor: Bob Hainstock has been teaching printmaking and painting throughout Atlantic Canada for the past 15 years. He is a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design (NSCAD). His work is represented in private and public collections across Canada and the United States, as well as Asia and Europe. 

Contact: Acadia University Art Gallery

902-585-1373

artgallery@acadiau.ca

AKA at The Georgetown Conference

On October 3rd-5th, Alliance of Kings Artists' Administrator was a delegate at The Georgetown Conference in PEI. This conference endeavoured to harness the spirit that exists in rural communities and arm local leaders with ideas that they can transfer to their own communities. You can learn more about the conference here.

The Advertiser has closely followed The Georgetown Conference and its delegates from the Annapolis Valley, and held a follow-up discussion on October 24th so delegates could share their experiences and how they would like to move forward. There was a lot of passion and enthusiasm in the room, and the discussions centred around positive solutions and innovative ideas for community building. AKA's Administrator, Genevieve Allen Hearn, shared some of her insights from the conference related to arts and culture. This was her statement:


What I learned at the Georgetown Conference

I attended the conference representing AKA, so I had my antenna up for any mention of arts and culture throughout the duration of the conference.

I came across many examples of people doing interesting things in the cultural sector in rural communities across Atlantic Canada.

A few I’d like to share with you are….

Small Halls festival – a music festival in PEI that utilizes all of the small venues across the province, including churches, community halls, small theatres, and cafes. The festival features both established and emerging musicians, and has gained global recognition – now other countries are catching on, and organizing their own small halls festivals, using PEI’s model as a touchstone.

Rising Tides Theatre – a small theatre that has put Bona Vista on the map as a cultural destination. It’s considered a major force in the community.

Artists on Main Street – an artist cooperative that pooled together funds and created a shared gallery space on the town’s Main Street in Montaque PEI. They also organize visual arts events throughout the year.

Kings Playhouse – the venue of the conference was inspirational. The town of 700 people came together when the playhouse burnt down in the early 80s to make sure it got built again. It’s considered an important part of the small community, and is largely what contributed to Georgetown getting the number 1 designation as Maritime’s Cultureville.

What I found even more interesting, however, was the fact that almost every presenter – from the public realm, the private sector, and the nonprofit sector, mentioned the importance of arts and culture in making liveable, healthy, and vibrant communities. Every sector recognized the importance of honoring the unique heritage of our communities, and many presenters alluded to culture being the heartbeat of communities and an economic driver.

My favorite presnter was Zita Cobbs, who developed the Fogo Island Inn, which is a luxury inn that ‘looks to the future, while building on the past’. One thing she said stuck with me, and that was ‘what makes communities worth visiting isn’t their specialness, but rather their specificity’. She talked about finding what you have of value in your community that no other community has (such as the seven seasons of Fogo island) and making it work for you.

I think that Kings County is starting to do this, but there is much more work to be done, particularly in the cultural sector. When I was working on the Cultural Mapping project in Kings County, there were many people that immediately saw the value in cultural development, but I was amazed at how many people, especially those in powerful positions (read: where the money is), did not see culture as a viable or lucrative industry. If you ask me, culture IS Kings County’s industry. The farmers markets, fair trade cafes, open mics, community theatre, performing arts series, wineries, world class cuisine, Slow Food Film Festival, Deep Roots Music Festival, Apple Blossom festival, pumpkin people, ghost walks, galleries, studios, Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, Acadia University, heritage trails and museums, Grand Pre UNESCO site – this is what we have to offer to the world.

My goal, moving forward, is to encourage Kings County to develop a cultural strategy that supports innovative thinking and creative community development. This needs to involve the municipalities, the schools, the cultural organizations and facilities, and the arts council. I will take inspiration from those small towns that think big. If Georgetown, a town of 700 people, can support a 300 seat world-class theatre, then surely Kings County can make steps towards becoming a world-class cultural destination.

Paint the Port - July 20th, 2013

WHAT: A 'Paint-In', a gathering of local Artists with a Gallery Showing & Sale of their work for the general public. A chance to meet and view the artists while they work is an added bonus!

WHEN: July 20th, 2013 from 9:00am – 4:00pm
WHERE : Hantsport, Nova Scotia 

WHO : A variety of Artists from our region and the general public.
WHY : To view a wide range of original art and artists, mediums, and styles. To find a new piece of art for your home or that special gift. You will also be encouraging and supporting the development of art and culture in our area. It may inspire you to give it a try! Try the silent auction on wet paintings during the day.

1. Only original art work will be displayed and sold.
2. All paintings will be registered/priced and signed in/out upon arrival/departure; for view and sale at our gallery area, at Churchill House.
3. A 20% commission on sales will be used to cover expenses incurred by the planning committee. Sales will be handled at our display gallery, and payment forwarded within the next week. (Cash or Cheques only)
4. Sign-Ins will start at 9am on Sat. July 20th, with an Artist's supper at Churchill House at 6:00pm to end the day.
5. Wet paintings will be added to the Gallery as the day progresses for a silent auction.(artist to set minimum bid and take home price)
6. Artists are expected to paint on site. We will have some local gardens, historic buildings, and the waterfront for designated locations, and the public will be invited to view the artists at work.
7. Pre-registration MUST be received by July 5th, 2013 to confirm your participation.

Life Drawing Sessions

Life drawing sessions are back in action! This time there will be 3 life drawing and 3 costume drawing sessions. The schedule is as follows:

-February 24th Life Drawng with Model Devon Koeller
-March 3rd Costume Drawng with Model Margaret Forsey 
-March 10th Life Drawing with Model Margaret Forsey 
-March 17th Costume Drawing with Model Margaret Forsey 
-March24th Life Drawing with Model Devon Koeller 
-March 31st Costume Drawing with Model Devon Koeller

Sessions take place at the Acadia University Gallery Studio in the BAC, room 131 at 1pm-3pm. The fee is $10 per person.

Upcoming AGM & Cultural Map Launch

Dear friends of Culture in Kings County,

We are very excited to announce the launch of the Kings County Cultural Map, which will be held on the evening of February 6th!

Important details...

When: Wednesday, February 6th 6:30pm

Where: Kingstec, room 2101 (238 Belcher Street, Kentville)

Who: Open to the public!

What: The launch will include an explanation and demonstration of the map, viewings of selected digital stories, and an opportunity to ask questions about the project.

The Alliance of Kings Artists will be holding their AGM directly following the map launch (with a few minutes in between for snacks and mingling!)

The Kings County Cultural Map represents culture in the area on an interactive, open-sourced, and community-driven map. The map includes places, groups, businesses, and stories that connect us to our cultural landscape.

Culture in Kings County plays an important role in defining and enhancing our quality of life as well as developing economic sustainability in the region. The cultural map offers a ‘one-stop-shop’ for a full range of local cultural assets in every corner of the County. While the map gives the physical lay of cultural assets in Kings County, it also makes visible ‘intangible’ cultural assets such as stories and histories. These intangibles are captured through a multimedia process of digital storytelling, whereby first-person narratives of local residents have been recorded and embedded into the map. These stories focus on the impact of local arts practices and cultural activities, and look at the role local residents play in creating a vibrant cultural milieu.

We hope to see you there!

Genevieve Allen

Project Manager

Making Art Mondays :: November/December Session

Here's your chance to learn a variety of techniques in a variety of different mediums!! Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to learn something you've always wanted to try, or to learn a different approach to a very familiar medium. The classes are two hour sessions and a truly inexpensive rate.

Making Art Mondays

Please join us for a series of four workshops on Mondays beginning on November 19^th, 2012. Making Art Mondays are a series of workshops presented by the Alliance of Kings Artists with support from the Acadia University Art Gallery. Each session is focused on a specific project and is facilitated by an artist. The workshops are for adults and are structured as completely hands-on and interactive. Collaboration and idea exchange are encouraged.

Fee: 15.00$ per workshop for non-AKA members.

         10.00$ AKA members free.

*Fee covers the cost of workshop and materials.

Time: 7-9pm

Location: Acadia University Art Gallery art education room,

Beveridge Arts Centre RM 131

Registration: Sessions are drop-in. Payment to be submitted at door.

Workshops are limited to 15 participants.

Be sure to arrive 15 minutes before!

Information: web: http://allianceofkingsartists.blogspot.ca or email: allianceofkingsartists@gmail.com

For more information contact:

November 19:  Needle-felting

In this class participants will learn to create pictures using dyed wool fibre on a wool cloth surface.   We will also touch on some sculpting methods for three dimensional figures. Students should bring their own scissors and notebook.   If you have a picture of a scene that you would like to try, bring it along.   Extra felting kits will be available to purchase at $12 and $15.  They are a great natural material Christmas present for your creative friends.

Facilitator: Marilyn Rand is a textile and visual artist.   Marilyn lives in Delhaven and raises Cotswold sheep and, angora goats to provide the raw material for her work.   

November 26: Mono-Printing

In this workshop we'll be creating representational monotype prints from life. From an inked plate we will work by means of reduction; gradually removing ink from the plate to elicit tonality, line and texture. We'll warm up with a few drawing exercises

Facilitator: Rachel Reeve holds an Interdisciplinary BFA from NSCAD, she has been teaching art to all ages in the Annapolis Valley for six years.

December 3: Creating Mood in Landscape

In this workshop we will explore the qualities of watercolour painting that allows us to create moodiness and expression. Demonstrations and exercises will show participants how to create depth in a simple landscape painting.

Facilitator: Twila Robar-DeCoste paints in both watercolour, acrylic and oils. She has been teaching art since 1987 and is a juried and elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA)and an associate member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (CSPWC). Her work may be seen at Windsong Studio & Gallery in Aylesford and online at www.windsong-nature-gallery.com

December 10:  Clay Throwing and Building

This workshop is designed as an introductory experience to clay.  There will be a demonstration on the potter’s wheel followed by a short time for each participant to experience working or 'throwing' on the wheel.  Some hand-building techniques, such as coil and slab will also be demonstrated to keep us busy in between.  If you can bring a rolling pin that would be helpful!

Facilitator: Denise Aspinall has been a production potter in the Annapolis Valley for over 30 years.  The Aspinall Pottery is a working studio located in Canning and open to the public, specializing in functional porcelain cups , bowls and platters with her distinctive handpainted 'loose leaf' design.  Upon graduating from Acadia she gained experience in clay at the Minas Potters Guild in Wolfville, followed by an apprenticeship at Meat Cove Pottery in Northern Cape Breton, then returning to the valley to open her own studio.  The pottery is available locally every Saturday morning at the Wolfville Farmers Market, Saunder's Tartan's and Gifts, New Minas and Gaspereau Winery .

Upcoming Submissions for AKA Member's Show at Upstairs Gallery

Happy August to all Members and Friends of Alliance of Kings' Artists!!

Just a friendly reminder that the next AKA Member's Show at the Upstairs Gallery at CopperFox in Hall's Harbour will open on August 24th, 2012 (7 - 9pm). Artists may drop off their work for the show on August 23rd from 9am - 6pm. Please fill out the submission form for exhibiting the artwork ahead of time. You may email it to us directly, or print it off and bring it to the gallery when you drop off your art.

http://www.allianceofkingsartists.blogspot.ca/p/exhibitions-submission-forms.html

If you have artwork to pick up from the previous show, you may also do this on August 23rd. Thank you for exhibiting at the Upstairs Gallery. The first show has seen many visitors from the area and beyond. We look forward to seeing your wonderful creations!!!

If you are not a member of AKA, and wish to take part in these exhibits, you CAN! It's very easy and only costs $20. You can leave your fee and membership form at CopperFox when you drop off your artwork, or mail us a cheque along with the form.

http://www.allianceofkingsartists.blogspot.ca/p/membership.html

CopperFox Gallery is a wonderful gallery situated in the heart of Hall's Harbour, Nova Scotia with an incredible view and a plethora of Nova Scotian art for you to enjoy. For gallery hours and directions, visit:

http://www.copperfoxgallery.com/

Photo of artwork, artists and guests at the first AKA Members Show June 2012.

The Uncommon Common Art Project 2012 has been launched!!

Welcome to the fifth year of uncommon art in common places.  This project was born out of a simple observation of humans sometimes subtle and beautiful impact in nature.  We are inundated with news and information about man kinds negative impact on our natural surroundings this project promotes and recognizes our creative and beautiful touches in nature.  How a child at the beach may creatively stack a series of rocks and leave them for the next beach comber to find.  A hiker may pick a bouquet of wild flowers and leave them as a beautiful present for the next person on the path.  The installations in this project are gifts from the artists to the observers of nature to find, explore, talk about, and share.

Please enjoy them, respect them, and tell others about them.

Maps to all of the installations can be found at Nova Scotia Visitor Information centres and business in and around Kings County. For further info and to get a

glimpse of the projects online, visit:

http://www.uncommoncommonart.com/UncommonCommonArt/home.html

Kings County Cultural Mapping Project

Public Meeting: Thursday, June 14 7 - 9pm at Studio Z (above the Al Whittle Theatre, Acadia Cinema,
450 Main St., Wolfville. For furthin info contact: kingsculturalmap@gmail.com

Three Great Opportunities for Artists

Hello,

You might ask, "What does an AKA membership do for me?"

This is a fair question to which members and prospective members deserve an answer.

Your AKA Board of Directors has developed a plan to make an AKA membership indispensable to Valley artists, designers and craftspeople. 

To highlight, in the new Alliance of Kings Artists 5 year Vision Document, the recently elected AKA Board has  identified as a key priority: to provide opportunities for artists to show and sell their work at venues in Kings County.

The Alliance of Kings Artists announces three great opportunities for you to showcase your art this summer. Becoming a member of AKA will enable you to participate in shows at a number of venues throughout Kings County. 

---

Jacks Gallery: 

Summer will soon be upon us and with this comes an opportunity to submit work for AKA Members Exhibit at Jack’s Gallery. The theme is The Valley. There is limited space and limited time as the deadline is fast approaching (June 1st). You will be notified within the week following June 1st whether your piece(s) was chosen for the exhibit. The show will open June 24th, 2012 and be on display until September 2nd, 2012. You can fill out a submission form. 

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Upstairs Gallery at CopperFox:

Alliance of Kings Artists’ Members are invited to show Original Art in the Upstairs Gallery at CopperFox in Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia. This is a great opportunity for emerging artists and professional artists alike. Let’s all inspire one another!
Submission deadline: June 10, 2012
Exhibit: June 23, 2012 – August 15, 2012.
Opening Reception: Friday, June 22, 2012.
Details:
- Original Artwork only
- No size restrictions for this show.
- All artwork must be gallery ready. (Note: artwork not ready, will not be shown)
- All 3D artwork must have sturdy & steady plinths to showcase the art (up to artist to provide this).
- Artist to provide resume/CV printed on 8 1/2” x 11” paper.
- Artist to determine price (if for sale).
- Artist must be a member of Alliance of Kings Artists’. 
- Gallery will charge 20% commission on sold work.
- *Fill out the online submission form and email it back to us. 
Artwork Drop-Off: Thursday, June 21, 2012 between 10am and 7pm.
You may request another set-up time (before June 21) with gallery owner, Fabienne Leydecker via email or by phone 902.679.7073.
Questions: If you have any questions regarding further details on this show, please contact organizer Eileen Boyd via email or by phone 902-538-1338.
Social Media: Please send images (jpg files) with artist name, title, size, and medium of your artwork in the exhibit via email. Images will be shown on the AKA Facebook page as well as the AKA website. This is available to all artists in the show but not a requirement.
Artwork Pick-up: Artwork not sold during exhibit dates can be picked up on August 16, 2012 (10am – 7pm)
**The next show will take place on August 16, 2012. Stay tuned for further details.

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Art Festival Wolfville:
The Evangeline Artists' Cooperative have kindly invited AKA members to join them for a one day Show and Sale of Wet and Finished Works. 

To express your interest in participating please reply to Tracy Horsman and indicate your interest in any or all of the following by June 29th, 2012: selling/exhibiting finished work, selling/exhibiting wet work, plein air painting, volunteering. Tracy's contact info: email or
phone: 542-1213.

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*AKA Membership:

To participate in the shows please join AKA as a paid member. The fee is $20 for the year and you can send along your form and cheque in the mail. To view a list of membership benefits, click on download a membership form.

Critical Opportunity for Cultural Development in Kings County, Nova Scotia

An important series of discussions will begin March 24 in Kentville, Nova Scotia that could have a significant benefit for the general arts community and the regional arts council of Kings County. It is a critical opportunity to make cultural development an ongoing regional priority, and to push for a modest regional cultural centre in the proposed multi-use library development in Kentville. Please view the exciting designs and related stories.

Starting at 8:30 a.m. at the fire hall, the Rotary Club of Kentville is hosting a meeting of non-profit organizations, municipal governments, and business community to discuss community needs and potential projects for the next 5-10 years. Representatives of the Alliance of Kings Artists, and several other like-minded organizations, have been invited to participate, and will be reminding others at the meeting of the social and economic importance of the art in Kings County.

But the real hard work begins after the March 24 meeting, when community organizations and municipal councils of the region, have to fully realize the long-neglected needs of the arts community, and the significant cost-benefits of supporting cultural projects now. This can only be accomplished by individuals making contact with councilors, business leaders, and members of community organizations like Rotary, Kinsmen or Lions. 

The focus of AKA’s efforts over the next few weeks will be the beautiful multi-use regional library project proposed for the Kentville and area. During the community meetings held to determine design and location of the proposed project, the inclusion of a cultural facility was a frequent request. As a result, the architects produced a design that could include a public art gallery, education rooms and administrative office for AKA. Other possible community needs would include a volunteer centre, heritage centre, or visitor information centre.

The Town of Kentville is responsible for the library space, but the other community services are regional in nature and would require the ongoing partnership of Kings County, as well as construction capital from provincial and federal governments.  The multi-use centre could cost between $2.4million-$4.3million, with municipal, provincial and federal governments picking up 85% of construction costs. Support from community fund raising and non-profit groups like Rotary would be responsible for 15% of cost.

The possibility of a cultural component within the larger project is real, but also a long-shot in terms of competition with other community needs, and past apathy of the arts community to fight for common improvements or cultural policy priorities within government. Jealousy, apathy, and parochial ambition will have to be put aside if we are to take advantage of this rare opportunity to create an additional jewel within the cultural diversity of Kings County.

Get others to take a look at the gorgeous architectural drawings and to give us a hand in shaping a reality.   To view these drawings click on the page link to the left titled Kings County Cultural Centre.

Workshops

2012 Life Drawing Sessions:


Acadia University Art Gallery & Alliance of Kings Artists

This is a series of life drawing sessions, in which participants have the opportunity to sketch/draw from a live model. The sessions are structured where a model will move between timed poses, no instruction provided. Please bring your own drawing supplies.

Time: 1 – 3pm/ Sundays, February 26 – April 1 (6 weeks)
Location: Acadia University Art Gallery,
Art Education Studio, Beveridge Arts Centre, RM 131
Cost: $50 for all six sessions or $10 per session.
Limit of 15 participants per class (priority given to prepaid after that first come basis)
Registration: You can pre-register for all 6 sessions in advance.
For drop in, please pay fee in the art gallery on the day
of the session.

For more information contact Acadia University Art Gallery
artgallery@acadiau.ca




Thirsty Thursdays

Our next Thirsty Thursday art lovers get together will be Thursday, March 22nd.

It will be held at Paddy's Pub in Kentville at 7:00pm.

Come join us for a beverage and some great conversation! Hope to see you there!! :)

We're Looking for You!

Have you always wanted to play a role in a local arts organization but have no idea where to start? 

The Alliance of Kings Artists is currently looking for members who would like to help move the organization forward in a very exciting way. If you have an idea or suggestion that you think you would like to introduce or work on with other like-minded folks - creative or business inclined or other - then send us a message.


As the Regional Arts Council voice for Kings County, Nova Scotia we're hoping to make our voice heard. It is through collaboration with individuals, organizations and those with a passion to keep our cultural community alive that we can share in the energy, creativity and excitement of living in such a wonderful place that offers so many wonderful opportunities.


You can reach us at: allianceofkingsartists@gmail.com with suggestions and questions.

Making Art Mondays Collage Workshop

Due to the inclement weather, the collage Workshop with Ron Hayes at ArtCan Gallery is cancelled
this evening. Stay tuned for further info on new workshops being added to the list (updates should appear tomorrow).

Thank you for your understanding and continued support with the Making Art Monday Workshops.
Stay warm and inspired! :)

Making Art Mondays 2012

Interested in signing up for some fun art workshops during the short, dark days of winter? This may be the very thing to inspire you to get your "Resolution List" kick-started. 


To check out the info on the workshops being offered, facilitators and dates/times of each creative session, go to the Making Art Mondays page. To get there click on Making Art Mondays just to the right of this post. -------->


*Thanks to all who came out to the first workshop in the series on January 16th with Bob Hainstock's wood-block printmaking class!!

Workshop #2 - another fun eve of potatoes, paint and smiles! Thanks to all who came out to play!! :)

A New Year...a new opportunity....

Alliance of Kings Artists (AKA), the regional arts council for the Kings County region is looking for new volunteer board members to help build and implement a long-term development strategy for the 13-year old cultural organization. We are currently looking for both artists and non-artists who have a passion for culture and the arts. A focus moving forward will be to strengthen the Alliance of Kings Artists abilities to work with other cultural organizations and with local governments, and to develop programs to promote creativity in the area.

The arts council is part of several important initiatives at a time when all governments are recognizing the substantial economic impact of local cultural policies. Along with the Kings Regional Development Agency, AKA is co-sponsoring theKings Cultural Mapping Project as a means of identifying and promoting cultural assets to visitors and local communities. AKA is also responsible for the Uncommon Common Art project, an annual celebration of public art projects throughout the region as well as the Annual Pumpkin Mosaic project. AKA also works with the Acadia University Art Gallery on several cultural projects, including Making Art Mondays, a series of artist-facilitated workshops.

The Alliance of Kings Artists will hold its annual general meeting on January 19^th, 7pm, Acadia University, Beveridge Arts Centre Rm 132. A special search committee is looking to recruit new board members. For more information about the exciting opportunities available as a board member of AKA please contact:

Bob Hainstock & Angela Melanson

Nominating committee

Email: allianceofkingsartists@gmail.com

Thirsty Thursdays

Have you been longing to meet other like-minded people passionate about art? 

Thirsty Thursdays is an exciting event offered up to create an opportunity for like-minded people, namely the art interested folks, to get together in a social environment - a chance to share ideas, news, or just drink beer with friends and maybe put a face to the names that we see regularly. We will meet at different places in the Valley on Thursday nights about once a month. 

The first Thirsty Thursday will be held in Berwick at the Union Street Café on December 1^st, 2011 at 7pm and stay as long as we wish.  Bring your own creative materials and of course your ideas on potential future projects.

In the New Year, Thirsty Thursdays will be held in Kentville at Paddy's Pub and in Wolfville (place to be decided). We hope that having different venues will give everyone a chance to attend.  Dates will be on the AKA website and an e-mail will go out to our mailing list.

Here's a photo from Thirsty Thursday which was held on March 22nd, 2012 at Paddy's Pub in Kentville. It was fun to gather with artists and talk about what we're working on, ideas for projects and life in general. Thanks to all who came out to join in on the conversation.

International Artist Day ~ October 25

About International Artist Day

October 25th is International Artists Day and it's gaining support worldwide. This grassroots movement is not mainstream as yet but artists and galleries in communities everywhere are jumping on the bandwagon. Perhaps an overview is needed to explain the concept.

Artists are a much ignored group although almost anything you use day to day has an artistic design at its root. Throughout history art has been the most important defining characterization of a culture or people. Art survives personalities, dynasties, movements and civilizations. Artists are pioneers and are usually at the forefront of changing times and events.

True art is timeless and universal and recognizable to all. Where does the inspiration for art come from? What makes some art priceless and other art mediocre? Actually , the artist themselves are the lynch pins. Art that is inspired comes from a "formless and unexplainable dimension" and is translated by the artist. They are natural conduits and are household names because of the recognition of their contribution to culture and humanity.

The day chosen to honor artists worldwide is October 25th, Picassos' birthday. Why this artist and not another was more a matter recent contribution. Picasso was instrumental in bringing art to the masses more than any other artist up to that time. He is the iconic artist personified. Now more than ever it is important to focus on art and culture. Mainstream television, globalization and the internet are wiring everyone up to the lowest common denominator. By giving our attention to artists, we have the opportunity for one day to focus on what is eternal and timeless in our civilization. Oct. 25th annually can give us a reason to participate in the arts personally. 

For further info on this movement, check out: http://www.internationalartistday.com/

Cultural Map of Kings County Project

On Tuesday, October 25th at 7:00pm the Kings Regional Development Agency, in partnership with the Alliance of Kings Artists will be holding a public meeting to begin creating a Cultural Map of Kings County. 


A Cultural Map is used to visually represent local cultural assets such as studios, galleries, performance venues, heritage buildings, cultural events, stories, and museums to name a few. By identifying cultural assets and placing them on a map, we can help our community better appreciate and understand what and who exists in the cultural sector, and how our cultural assets can contribute to community and economic development. 


For further information about the meeting, to RSVP, or to learn more about the Kings County Cultural Mapping project in general, please contact us at kingsculturalmapping@gmail.com.




**To follow the recent updates with the Cultural Map, visit:
http://kingsculturalmap.wordpress.com