http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Police+quarterback+change+Alberta+Avenue/5889766/story.html?cid=megadrop_story

On Monday, October 10, Arts On The Ave was pleased to tour members of The Canada Council for The Arts along the Ave.

Another great day for art, The Ave, and the revitalization.

Read the Edmonton Examiner article about Arts On The Ave winning a community policing award!

http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3342635

Work on the building has finally begun! Inside, old clutter and hazardous materials have been removed in preparation for construction this fall. Those renovations will include a new front entry, brand spanking new washrooms, complete new sprinkler and mechanical systems, and a clean “white box” interior. As many of you know, they can’t meet the required number of parking spots on-site. They are currently working on a variance for that, and are optimistic for positive solutions.

The improved space will be ready in the spring of 2012! Arts Habitat + Arts on the Ave are looking forward to providing great studio, performance, gallery, office, meeting, classroom, and rehearsal spaces to artists, cultural industries and social enterprises! This will be for short-term use until the future renovations for Phase 2.

Speaking of which … The design team heard the excellent feedback you the community offered at their spring Design Charette, and is working to incorporate it into a complete design vision for the Phase 2 redevelopment. Stay posted for more on that!

Arts Habitat Association + Arts On the Ave thank the City of Edmonton for its ongoing commitment to the project through the building purchase and essential building code upgrades. They also thank the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Lottery Fund for their contribution through the Community Facility Enhancement Program for additional program-specific renovations.

Click here for more details…

Please come and be part of this wonderful event. Meet members of the Alberta Ave community, including those from the African community who are helping to revitalize our neighbourhood and create a special legacy here in Edmonton.

Come celebrate the value of cultural diversity and learning to live better together.

MLA Brian Mason will join us.

Hope to see you on Saturday.

PS: Please invite friends to walk with us and send the attached poster around (click here or the image to download)

Please note the brief notes below:

• We Believe in 118 is a community coalition working to reclaim Alberta Avenue as a drug paraphernalia and weapons-free zone.
• We Believe in 118 is about reclamation – it’s about drawing a line around the 118 Ave communities and making Alberta Avenue a drug paraphernalia and weapons-free zone.
• With only one predatory retailer remaining, the community is on the verge of being free from the sale of weapons and drug paraphernalia.
• We Believe in 118 partnered with Edmonton Public School’s City Centre Education Partnership (CCEP) to launch an awareness campaign.
• The campaign, which uses letters from grade 4, 5, and 6 children from the CCEP schools, speaks to the impact of predatory retail and the benefits of working together towards a safer community.
• The aim of the campaign is to reclaim Alberta Avenue as a drug paraphernalia and weapons-free zone, bring community together and celebrate the accomplishments to-date.

Yours Neighbourhood Builder,

Christy Morin
Member of We Believe In 118

Writer Emily Senger describes the piece as “How an influx of artists can revitalize a neighborhood“.

Please feel free to join your family and friends at Eastwoodfest 2010! Enjoy a free pancake Breakfast, live music, Art, Artisans, Kids activities, horse-pulled carriage rides, a HUGE Snakes and Ladders game, and much much more.

For more information, visit the facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122312417815289

Eastwoodfest is on August 14 and located at 118th Ave and 85 – 87st.

Click here to download the handbill in PDF.

Hope to see you there!

* For more information, to volunteer or to participate in the Artwalk, please contact Eastwoodfest producer Mat Halton at eastwoodfest@gmail.com *

Read the article on the Edmonton Journal website at http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Sale+crack+pipes+Alberta+Avenue+definitely+legal/3322657/story.html.

You can also join in on the conversation in the comments below the article.

As the look of 118th Avenue evolves from the new sidewalks and streetlights to the new facades of businesses, The Avenue Initiative is adding another exciting element to the landscape – murals on electrical boxes.  And WE NEED YOU!

We are looking for professional artists willing to volunteer in mentoring young emerging artists by painting the electrical boxes along with Ave with a mural. Young artists will be selected in July and matched with an appropriate professional artist.  An electrical box will be assigned to each pair and you will have the opportunity to work with the young artist in the design.

The only requirements are:
You have a desire to collaborate with and mentor a young emerging artist.
You live between 75th Street & 104th Street and between 111th Avenue & the Yellowhead.
You are a professional artist.
You are ready to have some fun!

Painting will take place over 1-2 days in August and the murals will be revealed at the Kaleido Festival in September.

This is YOUR COMMUNITY – be a part of the revitalization process and leave your mark on the Avenue!

Please contact Jaimie at 780.721.8417 or tjclem@telus.net for more information or to get involved.