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 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

Pumpkin Mosaic 2011

Alliance of Kings' Artists is pleased to announce the gift of the Pumpkin Mosaic 2011 to the site of the Wolfville Farmers' Market. The mosaic is beautifully framed and now resides in the lobby of the DeWolfe Building. The piece was inspired by an original painting by Alan Bateman titled "Pumpkin Blossom" (Acrylic on Board 36" x 16"). The pumpkin mosaic was created by 21 artists working in various mediums. Each tile is 12" x 12".

Pumpkin Blossom by Alan Bateman

Pumpkin Mosaic 2011