A Big Heartfelt Thank You

Carrot by Moonlight 2017 was a huge success!

Every seat was filled in the Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse on this special Valentine's Day event.

It was made possible with the help of our Wine Educator Samantha Wall from NAIT, and our sponsors: Northlands, Sherbrooke Liquor, and Blindman Breweries.

A big thank you to all who participated. 

Gallery: February 2017

Generations of Afro-Latino Art: A Basquiat Tribute

February's gallery features one-of-a-kind works inspired by the groundbreaking NYC artist Jean Michele Basquia, curated by Edmonton artist Pedro Rodrigeuz featuring his works alongside Elsa Robinson and Dora Restrepo. In addition to visual art, this opening will also feature live poetry readings by Shima Robinson, performances by Allan Suarez and Sebastian Suarez and live projections.

Pedro Rodriguez De Los Santos

Pedro is from Montevideo, Uruguay and has been living in Edmonton, Alberta for 12 years.  Since this time Pedro has established himself as a successful visual and public artist in Alberta. He has completed multiple exhibits, coordinated public art and education workshops and completed several murals included two with youth.

Dora Restrepo

Dora originally hails from Columbia but now calls Edmonton, Alberta home. Still a newcomer to painting, her inspired works show the depth of her artistry. Painting on canvas with acrylic, her use of colour and perspective speaks of her time growing up in South America.

Elsa Robinson

Elsa Robinson was born and raised on the Caribbean island of Jamaica. After taking a few art classes in high school and post secondary, she moved to Edmonton in 1984, the same year she welcomed her daughter Shima into the world. Robinson went on to earn her Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Alberta in 1990. After nearly a decade of teaching, Robinson’s artistic curiosity caught up to her when she completed her first painting in 1999. Since then she has gone on to win awards and earn her Bachelors Degree in Art and Design.

Shima Robinson

Amiskwaciwâskahikan aka Edmonton (Treaty 6)-born poet and spoken word artist Shima Robinson embodies, with every poem, the ancient meaning of her chosen pen name. Dwennimmen is the name of an ancient African Adinkra symbol, which means strength, humility, learning and wisdom. It is no surprise, then, that this veteran of the Alberta poetry community uses a searing intellect and dynamic precision-of-language to create poetry which ushers her readers and listeners toward greater understanding and poignant reflection. For Dwennimmen, poetry has long been a compass, a salve, an anchor and guiding light. She uses the potential and force of poetry to uncover the full range of her cerebral, linguistic and spiritual fortitude. This is why her every poem and performance testifies to an emerging power and wisdom, an authentic, deeply human potency which she hopes to pass on to listeners and poetry-lovers around the world.

Gallery: January 2017

January Gallery:

This month The Carrot Gallery will feature the L’hiver  |  Pipon  |  (zyma)  Visual Arts Gallery

Visit this special January exhibition featuring artwork by several local Francophone, Indigenous, and Ukrainian artists.

Artists:

Oksana Zhelisko Classically trained in Eastern Europe, Oksana began her career as an artist in L'viv, Ukraine. Oksana entered the Ivan Trush College of Decorative Arts in 1996. There, she studied all aspects of art and decided to make painting, especially of murals, her major. In 2001, she held her first solo exhibition at the L'viv University of Ivan Franko. It was in preparing her works for this show that she realized she had a love for the medium of oil. She finds that the truest hues are to be found in this medium due to its prolonged drying time and its ease in mixing. She finds it best to begin her work, not on a crisp, blank canvas, but on one that has been coloured, and or stained to allow her chosen medium to release its inner beauty and charm. Although aptly able to capture any image with an artist's eyes, Oksana's work as of late has revolved around the theme of woman in various stages, poses, and emotions. She equates her disdain of starting on a blank canvas to that of simply painting woman as an exercise in figure. In her view, woman is neither crisp nor blank, but coloured and tinged; each being an image or an iconoclast that is warm, or perhaps cold, but always strong, alluring, full of mystique, and of course, true inner beauty. Her most recent works are displayed in Webster Gallery, Calgary. She currently resides in Edmonton.

Candace Makowichuk professional visual artist, arts educator and arts administrator, specializes in alternative photographic processes and techniques for her artwork. She works with a variety of photographic materials and printing proceses including: gum bichromate, cyanotype, tin type, gel and other transfer processes, multiple image printing, handpainting, and mixed media. Candace has extensive experience in educating the public on the importance and impact the visual arts have on our community and lives. Through workshops and residencies on historical photographic processes she has instilled a renewed interest in non-digital and historical photography.

Her education includes Art & Design from the University of Alberta, Photographic Technology from NAIT, Arts & Cultural Management from Grant MacEwan and various workshops. Her work is represented in public collections within Alberta, private collections within Canada and exhibitions throughout the province.

Theodora Harasymiw is Visual Artist and Art Educator working in Edmonton, Canada. In addition to working in her studio she has been working as an Artist in Residence since 1997. Working with schools I develop art programs which culminate in a permanent installation...

MJ Belcourt Moses  Melissa-Jo Belcourt Moses comes from a rich Métis ancestry and possesses a wealth of cultural skills acquired from Métis and Aboriginal elders throughout northern and central Alberta. As a certified instructor, she has taught decorative arts and creative skills within the Native Cultural art programs on Native reserves and Métis settlements. A deep connection to her roots is the inspiration for much of her artwork and ongoing research in developing in others an appreciation for the Métis contribution to our country’s homeland.  In 2006 Belcourt Moses was invited to represent Alberta cultural heritage in Washington DC for the 49th annual Folk Life Festival. Belcourt Moses was also given the Aboriginal Role Model of Alberta Art Award in 2009 for her work as an Artisan and as a recognized cultural art instructor. 

Curtis Johnson My name is Curtis Johnson and as you might have guessed I'm an artist who loves hockey. From realism to abstract, I try to explore the many facets of our national obsession. I also create paintings that have nothing to do with Hockey – these abstracts represent my experience growing up on the Canadian prairie. 

Jaye Benoit invokes artistic expression as a gateway to self-understanding, and ultimately seeks societal evolution. Her work is a searching for the place where the tangible and intangible meet, to express a value that has been lost in our time.

Jaye holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from the university of alberta, with a focus on painting and drawing. Her studio practice includes painting, mixed-media works, and installations, which are exhibited throughout canada, and are in private collections in canada, the usa, and the united kingdom. Jaye provides instruction and mentorship for artists of all ages and abilities, and has been involved in the development of many community events and artistic initiatives.

A born artist and yogi, jaye practices and instructs sattva yoga as a foundation to her life’s work. She resides in Airdrie, Alberta with her husband and two feline friends.

Rebecca Pickard

Carrot Holiday Hours

Closure: Holiday Hours

Please note: The Carrot will be closed from December 24 @ 1:00 pm until January 2, 2017.

Regular business will resume @ 9:00 am on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All! 

See you next year!

Chilli and Caroling on the Ave

Only 2 more sleeps until Chilli and Caroling on the Ave! 

Veteran caroler or newcomer, don't miss out! Invite your friends and family out to continue (or start) this happy tradition.

Join us at 6:00 pm for chilli at the Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse and then 7:00 pm for caroling!

Events timeline for Friday, December 16:

6:00 pm Chilli at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse
7:00 pm Caroling on the Ave
8:30 pm Yule Ave Christmas Variety show

The Best way to share Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear. - Papa Elf

Call for Artists: Black History Month

Arts on the Ave presents….

Black History Month at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse

We love to celebrate our country’s wonderful cultural mosaic.

If you are of African, Latin American or Caribbean heritage, or from the islands, we welcome you to apply to help us celebrate Black History Month. We are looking for visual art, music and spoken word / poets.

Visual Art: Artists of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to submit artwork for a juried show featured in The Carrot Gallery for the month of February 2017. We are seeking artworks addressing African, Latin American and Caribbean history and culture through a range of topics and perspectives, including but not limited to; identity, community, experience, solidarity and diversity.

To apply, please email the following information to volunteer@thecarrot.ca:

  • A short bio
  • A brief artist statement
  • Up to 5 jpgs or a link to the artwork online

Deadline to submit for consideration: December 30, 2016

Music: Arts on the Ave is looking for musicians/groups of African, Latin American and Caribbean heritage to perform at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse throughout the month of February 2017.

To apply, please email the following information to music@thecarrot.ca:

  • A short bio, including the number of musicians in your group and instrumentation
  • 2-3 audio files or links to videos of performances

Deadline to submit for consideration: December 30, 2016

Poets & Spoken Word Artists: Arts on the Ave is looking for African-Canadian poets and spoken word artists to help commemorate and celebrate Black History Month on Tuesday evenings throughout February 2017.

To be considered, please email the following information to volunteer@thecarrot.ca:

  • A short bio
  • 1-3 video and/or audio files or links of you performing your work
  • Please note, we are not asking for text of your poems or links to your books.

Deadline to submit for consideration: December 30, 2016

Winter Patio Party Success!

Thank you for joining us!

Our Winter Patio party was a great success. 

Saturday, patrons were sitting while reading the paper and visiting under the patio heat lamps, enjoying our gorgeous prairie sun.  

Our mulled beverage workshop was well attended and the season will taste even better with a mulled beverage in hand on the many snowy evenings to come. 

Thank you to all that participated.

Here's to a crisp, bright winter ahead!!

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
— Edith Sitwell

Annual Carrot Christmas Arts Bazaar Pop-up Boutique Sale THIS WEEKEND!

Shop local and get your loved ones unique gifts.

THIS WEEKEND: FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

The elves and the artisans have been toiling away in their workshops to create wonderful Christmas gifts and toys for all this season.  Don't be a Cotton Headed Ninimuggins - shop local! 

Shop The Carrot this Friday Dec 9 (from 7-9pm) and Saturday Dec 10 (from 10am - 4pm) at our Boutique Pop-Up Market!

Vendors: 

  • Jason Lee Books 
  • Sharon Nolan One of a kind repurposed handbags and scarves
  • Breanne Byrne Handblown glass and essential oils
  • Luba Bilash Jewellery, hats & visual arts
  • Lynette Bondarchuk Handmade/upcyled jewellery, suncatchers
  • Anna Owusu Home Cards and Clothes
  • Anne Force Hammered ware, gemstone jewelry & needle feted sculptors
  • Moon Kyung Kim Hand painted X’mas cards, ornaments, handmade and painted pottery, hand painted ceramics
  • Heather Ritz Crocheted Cacti 
  • Kayi Chung Jewelry
  • The Carrot Spices, hand knit touques and cowls, soaps, art, pottery and more! 
     

Gallery: November 2016

November Gallery:

This month The Carrot Gallery features collage artist Jess Dupuis.

Artist Bio:

Jess began secretly drawing cartoons all over her walls around 10 years old (much to her parents dismay). She managed to avoid becoming a graffiti artist extraordinaire and instead went to design school and graduated a graphic designer (much to her parents delight).

Fast forward eleven years, a few awards, loads of design clients and projects, an awesome husband and two small kiddos... Jess is now pushing to find time for herself and focus more on her art (you know, for her sanity). :P

"I find collage to be incredibly rewarding. The treasure hunt to find that first image that sparks an idea/concept. Cutting, pasting, painting - the bits and pieces that combine to tell their own new story. I relish in the artistic process the most as I am the only one making decisions for the outcome of the piece. There is no client to deny a mark or colour or combination of anything. Only myself, my gut and my critiques. It is liberating and therapeutic after many years of client-driven design and illustration projects.

My art (and heart) are a tad curious / odd / strange – and that's just the way I like. Enjoy."

 

What a Spook-tacular night!

Thank you sponsors and patrons!

We had a great time at the Carrot's annual Headless Halloween party last night. A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors!  

A spook-tacular time was had by all. Party goers enjoyed treats & tricks, hotdog and marshmallow roasts, giant Jenga, music and prizes for best costume. 

Can't wait to see everyone out again next year! Happy and safe Halloween to all on Monday! 

 

Call for Submission

Call For Submission: The Carrot Gallery

The Carrot Gallery is now accepting Fine Arts Exhibition Proposals from Local Artists and Arts Collectives. Exhibition submissions are accepted yearlong. To be considered in the winter 2016 jury, submit by 11:59 pm September 30, 2016.

For more information please email carrotassist@gmail.com

Gallery: September 2016

September Gallery:

The Carrot presents Denise Lefebvre, Fine Art Painter for the month of September. Come enjoy the view (and maybe even purchase) some of her beautiful work!

Artist Bio:

Denise Lefebvre was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1970. 

She continued her post-secondary education at the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, Alberta in 1988. After graduating from Visual Communications in 1992, she continued her education with a major in photographic arts for 2 years and a minor in printmaking.

After college, Denise did some traveling in South East Asia and Eastern Canada, and since 1999 she has called Edmonton home once again.

She is currently employed as a free-lance artist specializing in menu chalkboards, murals, and numerous styles and mediums included in her fine art paintings. She has several art shows each year and is included with a talented group of local artists who call themselves Night of Artists. www.nightofartists.com

She is also involved with Lewis Lavoie and Phil Alain doing several mural mosaics which can be viewed atwww.muralmosaic.com These giant, stunning murals have included hundreds of artists including Robert Bateman and celebrities like Felicia Collins and Kevin Hearn.

Gallery: August 2016

August Gallery:

The Carrot presents Larysa Eliuk Matchak, Fine Art Painter for the month of August. Be sure to come in and view (and maybe even purchase) some of her beautiful work!

Artist Statment:

Color, rhythm, contrast, and forces of nature, all contribute towards the inspiration for my paintings. When I paint and express myself through art, I am able to experience a euphoric feeling of freedom and contentment. My paintings are characterized by vivid colors and bold expressive brush strokes. I rely on my Ukrainian heritage, extensive travel, nature, and my surrounding environment for inspiration. I believe that we are all drawn to original works of art because they represent and radiate the soul and spirit of the individual who created it.  Thus, through my artwork I strive to share my life and my spirit with others.