How an Edmonton Artist Saved an Alley  – The Globe and Mail, Wednesday May 16th

Read the full article here:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/growth/how-an-edmonton-artist-saved-an-alley/article2434230/

“…Mr. Sharpe photographed local residents and posted huge prints of their eyes on dumpsters. “Steve’s photographs are beautiful,” says Ms. Morin. “They communicate so much more than simply putting up a sign threatening fines for dumping.”

The project wasn’t only about reclaiming and beautifying space to combat dumping. “It also built relationships,” Ms. Morin explains. “People in the neighbourhood saw the police not only in the role of enforcer but also as creator.” Dumping and calls to the city for service in the alley declined.

For Ms. Morin, the success of the project is an illustration of what creative skills can achieve when brought into typically non-artistic venues, like government bureaucracies. “We usually only tap into our creativity, whether it’s musical talent, or visual arts or whatever, in our private lives at home. We need to ask people to bring their art into their workplaces.” …

TO APPLY: complete the application package here 12FOOT12 entry form and email all components to Jaye Benoit at kaleidoprogram@gmail.com

To enter, complete and sign this entry form: Decorate a Lampost Entry Form & Contest Rules 2012

and send it with a short project proposal and artist bio to kaleidoprogram@gmail.com by July 16th, 2012.

Monday, March 19th from 6:30-9:00 at The Carrot. Light Dinner provided. Featured host for the evening: Frank Zotter.

Register to judy.allan@edmonton.ca

The Alberta Avenue Choir performing at The Carrot

“Sand and Sea” – the first single released featuring the Alberta Avenue Choir has been nominated for “Best Single/non album” by the 2012 MTC Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMA). The song, written by Garth Prince, and recorded by Chris Wynters,  is Garth’s personal reflection on missing his homeland of Namibia…”where the desert and the ocean meet”. The Alberta Avenue Choir was formed by music-loving community members to make the project come to life. Congratulations everyone!

VOTE for “Sand and Sea” by visiting www.nama.com.na

DOWNLOAD “Sand and Sea” on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sand-sea-namibia-feat.-alberta/id431981919?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

JOIN the Alberta Avenue Choir: http://www.albertaavenuechoir.ca/recordings.php
for Free!

The Alberta Cycle Building interior renovations are now happily underway, and Arts Habitat and Arts on the Ave are looking for permanent tenants who can be move-in ready by this fall 2012. Artists, artisans, arts collective or organizations are encouraged to apply ASAP for affordable art space here on Alberta Ave.

For more information on the project please visit the Arts Habitat website at:  http://www.artshab.com/pages/projects/ab_cycle.htm

Please email questions to Katherine Kerr at  kkerr@artshab.com

• Michael Germann will hold two felting workshops on Nov 12 and Dec 10, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. the focus will be Christmas ornaments (The Carrot 9351-118 Ave)
• Hand Drumming workshop is scheduled for Nov 12 from 2 – 4 p.m. People are to meet at The Carrot, then go out onto street corners to drum. Dress warm, (The Carrot 9351-118 Ave)
• Light Up the Ave – Nov 19 – 7pm – Illumine After Party – Eastwood Community League 8pm (86 St&118 Ave)
• Carrot Christmas Arts Bazaar – Nov 19, 9:30 – 4:30 p.m., (The Carrot 9351-118 Ave)
• Carrot Jingle Jammin’ Christmas Caroling – Dec 16, Friday 6:30pm (The Carrot 9351-118 Ave)
• African Christmas Concert – Saturday, Dec 17pm, Alberta Ave Choir, 6pm Community member’s ticket $10 purchase at the Carrot. (Concert is held at St Faith’s Church 117 Ave & 93 St) www.albertaavenuechoir.ca
• Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival – Jan 7 and 8, 92 St & 118 Ave – Surf’s Up at the Deep Freeze!! Volunteer for DeepFreeze by emailing deepfreezevolunteers@gmail.com. Find out more at  www.deepfreeze.ca

Alberta Avenue Choir is a new initiative that aims to use the love of singing as a great platform to enhance relationships in the general Edmonton community. Our singers are from broad backgrounds and different musical abilities, but our love for singing is what we all have in common. We have decided to focus our repertoire on music from all over the world, and since our director is from Africa, we have started our first two seasons by learning some music from Southern Africa.

Contact: Garth at albertaavenuechoir@gmail.com

You may have picked up Avenue Magazine this month to find Christy Morin, President of Arts On The Ave, featured as one of their “Top 40 Under 40″. You can read that article online at http://www.avenueedmonton.com/articles/page/item/christy-morin.

Or, perhaps you’ve been over to the City of Edmonton website, where The Avenue Initiative is featured with an image on the front page, linking to a story and a video about the exciting changes happening on Alberta Avenue these days. Our very own Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse and Kaleido Festival are mentioned as well.

If you haven’t caught the “Avenue Fever” yet, perhaps Thursday is your day. Here is the official word from the Avenue Initiative;

Global Edmonton is taking the News Hour On the Road to Alberta Avenue! Tune into the News Hour at 6.00 on Thursday, November 5th to see Gord Steinke, Lynda Steele and the rest of the Global Edmonton team broadcasting live from the Alberta Avenue Farmer’s Market and The Carrot Coffeehouse.

We need YOU to help show Edmonton what a great neighbourhood Alberta Avenue is. We need both the Farmers’ Market and The Carrot filled with all the great people who live in the area. Bring the whole family down, tell your neighbours, bring your friends!

Both Global News at 5 and 6 will be broadcast from Alberta Avenue but during the 6 o’clock news you see stories about things happening in Alberta Avenue, a live interview with Judy Allan on the Avenue Revitalization, as well as live footage from the Farmers’ Market and The Carrot.

At the Farmers’ Market (9210 118 Avenue) between 5pm and 7pm:

Free balloon animals
Free face painting
Free entertainment
And of course, lots of great food & gift products to buy

And don’t worry about making supper. We have a concession and grill a mean hotdog.
Global Special: hotdog, drink and chips or chocolate bar for only $4

At The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse (9351 – 118 Avenue) between 5pm and 7pm:

Global weather live from The Carrot!
Live Entertainment
Bring a friend and enjoy a 2 for 1 Latte!

And you’ll be happy to know the construction on 118 Avenue is over for the season. You can once again drive in either direction. Happy Driving and see you on Thursday!

Please forward this information, add it to your facebook page, tweet it and spread the word anyhow you can!

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