The Arts Building in Gibsons, a home for many arts-related activities from painting to pottery, is humming this season with more programs than ever before.
Two new ones should earn more fans: a café for writers starting on Thursday, Nov. 24, where they can receive feedback from the audience, and a kind of visual karaoke night offered in January called PechaKucha.
Arts Building board member Wendy Crumpler recalls the good times at a poetry café she organized last February when Adelene da soul poet headlined. Her work gave the café audience a buzz and inspired a stream of poets to line up at the mike. Crumpler hopes that the writers' café will also encourage new writers to get up and read their work.
"Seven people read for seven minutes each, and it can be in any genre: poets, spoken word, non-fiction or a scene from a play," Crumpler said.
If the writers want, they can receive written critique from the audience, which they can use or disregard. Admission will be by suggested donation of $7.
PechaKucha is a Japanese concept and the words mean "chit chat." Crumpler, a photographer herself, explains that it was originally a way for architects to give a photo presentation of designs that they had laboured on so lovingly, but that had not come to fruition.
"It's a sharing; it opens up avenues," Crumpler said.
Since PechaKucha is a copyrighted concept, permission has yet to be granted, but she is sure they will be hosting something close to it.
How does it work? You supply 20 images and you have 20 seconds to present each one. You can put music to your images or narrate them. It's not a complicated project, but it will require previous preparation in getting your images to Crumpler who will make sure they move smoothly.
"They could be about any subject," she said.
Have you got photos of your sock monkey collection and you want to show them? Maybe you have 20 photos of your visit to Zanzibar's market or 20 snapshots of you at the roller derby. It's all good.
Crumpler has been involved with the Arts Building Society since its formation in 2009 when founders Ann-Marie Brown and Georgina Brandon, who are both still involved, gathered a bold and creative group of directors. With a great line up of instructors and a Town of Gibsons grant, they were in business.
The first season saw more than 400 people of all ages participate in classes with several hundred more attending community events. The latest addition to the Arts Building crew is Amelia Epp, who brings her skills as art educator, artist and organizer.
Many other workshops are offered this season: how to silk screen with textile artist Natalie Grambow starts on Nov. 25, and block printing with poet and print maker Eilis Carpentier runs one time only on Nov. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Jan Poynter offers acrylic painting for beginners starting Nov. 20 on Sundays for four weeks. (Contact www.janpoynter.com for information on this particular course.)
A festive artisan sale runs at the location on Dec. 3 and 4 with quirky and attractive hand-crafted items plus some farmers' produce. Making food grow is almost as important as making art grow, to the Art Building people. Pender Harbour roots musician Joel Fafard performs in concert there on Dec. 9. The show starts at 8 p.m. and advance tickets for the concert are on sale at Coast Books for $12 or at the door for $15.
The Arts building is at 464 South Fletcher, Gibsons(next to the library). To register for programs, email [email protected] or call 604-740-7790.
