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.

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…

Don’t forget to come and dream with us this Saturday, November 6th and Monday, November 8th as we host walk throughs of the Old Cycle Building space on 118th ave and 92nd street.

What could YOU do with this space?

Get more information here.

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

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.

The Avenue Initiative is taking one more step to beautify the Avenue and we need your help.  But don’t worry, you don’t have to for volunteer for anything!

Murals will be painted on the electrical boxes that line the Ave and we would like your input as to what themes you think the murals should have.  The Avenue is rich with diversity and we want to celebrate it.  Help us create these murals to REFLECT YOU!

Send your ideas for themes to Jaimie at tjclem@telus.net or call 780.721.8417.

Watch for the murals to be unveiled at the Kaleido Festival in September.

If you live between 75th Street & 104th Street and 111th Avenue & the Yellowhead and are between 13 and 18 years of age, please submit one piece of artwork and a short paragraph on why you want to be involved to one of the following:

Email Jaimie at tjclem@telus.net
Drop off in person at The Carrot (9351 – 118th Avenue) Attn: Christy
Drop off in person at Landlord and Tenant building (8904 – 118th Avenue) Attn: Judy

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

Don’t miss this chance to leave your mark on the Avenue!

For additional information please contact Jaimie at 780.721.8417 or tjclem@telus.net.

http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton/local/article/418738–deep-freeze-changing-118-avenue

Over 10 000 people out this weekend. Can you believe it?

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!

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/edmonton/Festival+boosts+Edmonton+118th+Avenue/1898179/story.html