Three Canadian artists to turn the Âjagemô Space into their studios in week-long residencies
Mark the Spot: Mediation as Medium Exhibition
Ottawa, September 14, 2017 – As one of the events to mark its 60th anniversary, the Canada Council for the Arts is thrilled to announce the opening of a new exhibition and artists’ residency in the Âjagemô Space at 150 Elgin Street in Ottawa. Esteemed curator Wayne Baerwaldt has selected three artists who represent different forms of discourse on art at different stages in their careers. Painter Michael Morris, Performance artist Thierry Marceau and Métis beadwork artist Katherine Boyer invite the public to be part of the creation and development of their month-long exhibitions through a series of week-long residencies.
For 60 years, the Canada Council for the Arts has supported artistic creation and its power to stimulate our imagination, solicit debate and collective action, and inspire story-telling. Artists’ ability to mediate their work – to engage people in conversations on art and its “order of things” – is fundamental to our experience of the arts. This exhibition invites the public to be part of the artistic process of three artists known for their mediation through mark making.
Wayne Baerwaldt, curator
This exciting project will tangibly demonstrate the Canada Council’s role in supporting the creation of art and connecting the public with art and artists. We are delighted to welcome three of Canada’s talented creators to our space and look forward to sharing their original works with Canadians.
Tara Lapointe, Director of Outreach and Business Development, Canada Council for the Arts
Visit the Canada Council Âjagemô Space:
Michael Morris
The Letter Paintings, and Other Concerns
Guided tour with the artist: September 22, 12pm to 1pm
Residency and public program: September 18-23, 10am to 4pm
Exhibition: September 18 – October 22, 7am to 9pm
- Critically acclaimed painter and 2011 winner of the Governor General’s Award Visual and Media Arts, Michael Morris will produce watercolour sketches for Ottawa Letter, a large-scale painting to be produced in 2018.
Thierry Marceau
The Great One's Back
Guided tour with the artist: November 3, 12pm to 1pm
Residency and public program: October 30 – November 4, 10am to 4pm
Exhibition: October 30 – November 26, 7am to 9pm
- Daring performance artist Thierry Marceau will focus on his latest installation, comprised of a video re-creation of scenes from Wayne Gretzky’s Each day Marceau will transform himself into a version of Wayne Gretzky for photo opportunities and discussion with visitors.
Katherine Boyer
To Bead is To Visit
Guided tour with the artist: December 13, 12pm to 1pm
Residency and public program: December 7-14, 10am to 4pm
Exhibition: December 7 – January 2, 7am to 9pm
- Emerging artist Katherine Boyer will develop a work in the traditional style of Métis beading that will grow as the public are invited to bead, drink tea and explore the exhibition.
Âjagemô 150 Elgin St, Ottawa
Artists in residence - 10am to 5pm
Exhibition opens daily - 7am to 9pm
Free admission
Visit http://canadacouncil.ca/about/ajagemo for more information and detailed public programming.
Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national public arts funder. We champion and invest in artistic excellence so that Canadians may enjoy and participate in a rich cultural life. In 2015-16 we allocated $157.4 million dollars towards artistic creation and innovation through our grants, prizes and payments. We also conduct research, convene activities and work with partners to advance the sector and help embed the arts more deeply in communities across the country. We are responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO to contribute to a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future for Canadians. The Canada Council Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts.
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Mireille Allaire
Manager, Communications and Engagement
150 Elgin St. P.O. Box 1047
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5V8
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