The Nanaimo Art Gallery is giving members of the public the chance to get to know some local artists.
On Feb. 25 the Nanaimo Art Gallery presents the second edition of Making Waves, an informal discussion series featuring Nanaimo’s creative professionals. Speakers include poet Sonnet L’Abbé, artist Anne Ramsden, author Craig Taylor and puppeteers Alexandra Hicks and Katie Gilray.
“I wanted a real variety of creative professionals, so not just visual artists, but musicians, writers, performers,” said Yvonne Vander Kooi, NAG art education co-ordinator. “So that led me to people that I’ve met and come to know over the years or that people have recommended to me as being folks that have some presence in the community around what they’re doing.”
Making Waves was first held in 2019, featuring painters Darcy Johnson and Alison Watt, gallery owner Joe Bembridge, writer Carol Matthews and musician Dave Read. Vander Kooi said the event sold out and “the place was packed.”
“It was just a really fun event,” she said. “People were excited to share that part of their life and their work and people found it really interesting and entertaining.”
An attempt to hold another Making Waves event in 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19-related restrictions. Vander Kooi said the goal of the speaking series is to “demystify” what artists do and give people an idea of what an artist’s daily life looks like, which she said is “as different as there are as many people that do it.” The event is also about bringing people together.
“It’s also really important to connect folks,” Vander Kooi said. “Ideally, that’s what we want is for people to come here, have a good time, socialize, connect with each other and then just learn a little bit about the different creative practices that people are engaged in in our community.”
WHAT’S ON … Making Waves takes place at the Nanaimo Art Gallery, 150 Commercial St., on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets $15, available here.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
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