The Arts Summit

Tracey's blog is now located on the Salmon Arm Arts Centre site: www.salmonarmartscentre.ca/curators-blog/

June 22, 2013

I have just attended the two-day BC Arts Summit in Vancouver.  The purpose was to build a cultural policy framework for the province.  Of course this is just the beginning of the work. Part one is to identify the needs of the arts community, the tools needed to move the process forward and the people who should be at the table. Big discussion, and lots of mind-blowing ideas. Inspiring keynote by Richard Evans speaking about our new fluid sector, where there used to be value in stability and structure. With the world changing so fast, we have to be willing to take risks, fail, learn and try again. We’ve gone a few steps here, I feel good about our progress in the last two years. Now we start again, building more relationships, finding new paths, innovating and exploring.

On Jurying Again...

The December exhibition "Affordable Art Fair" requires jurying because each year we have far more submissions than space on the wall. The purpose, therefore, is to select a balance of media and styles so that we can present a diverse and high quality exhibition for the entire community to experience. The purpose is not, however, to educate and help the artist improve their work. There are jury processes that are precisely for that purpose, and artists wanting that sort of guidance should seek out juried shows that feature that educational component, such as arts festivals and FCA membership. At SAGA, our two juried shows per year are selected for curatorial reasons - to create a cohesive exhibition with a diversity of media and styles. The jurors have a tough job - they have to envision the exhibition before it's in place, looking at each individual work in terms of how it fits in with the thematic concept of the exhibition. They are building an exhibition from the ground up in a matter of hours. Our standards have risen over the years as we move toward the provincial and federal arts mandates, which is to promote artistic excellence. Many of our artists have moved along that road with us, producing more and more fantastic work each year. We're so pleased to be able to present our local artists in our beautiful venue, where anywhere from 500 to 1000 people per month will see their work.

Grrr, chicory...

Roadside chicory is the enemy of the urban cyclist.  My shins sting like I've been whipped by Mr. Grey.  Doesn't the City crew own a weed-whacker? I swear that stuff reaches out to get me as I'm riding by. Plus, it nearly sent me flying when it tangled in my rear wheel and gears. I'm an organic girl, but really, I'm having to ride out into the road to avoid it, so it has become a danger to both myself and 4-wheelers.  Something must be done!

Hidden Trails and a Clear Mind

In the 20 minutes or so that it takes me to bike to work (faster on the roads than the nature trail), I have enjoyed an interesting new phenomenon. When you are biking, you have to think about the now.  Every rock, every turn, cars, hidden trailheads, wandering quail, pockets of loose gravel and barking dogs require absolute mindfulness. When I was driving my car, I used to think about all the things I had to do when I got to work.  When biking, I think about my immediate surroundings, the smells, the heat, the sound of my gears shifting.  It's a wonderful exercise in clearing my mind.  I arrive at work feeling content and energized.  What a gift.

Foiled...

Yesterday we biked downtown via the foreshore, and found that the annual tide had claimed about 50 feet of trail.  I knew we were in for it when I could see ahead of us a few ducks swimming on the trail.  About three inches of water and a few tiny fish, we rode through carefully (no front fender) and survived the trip with dry sneakers. We're still three weeks away from high water, so I think I'll have to change my route to work next week. Back to the up and down of Salmon Arm hoping that motorists are respectful and kind. Arg. I'll miss the birds, the tiny pink flowers, the sound of the waves, the smell of the wild roses, the beaver, the fuzzy ducklings, the stationary turtle and the herons taking off.  It will all be different when I return in late July.

More on bike commuting...

Here are a few more things I've learned while bike commuting...

9.  The dark stump at 3.5 km is not a bear.
10.  Never look directly at the puddle you wish to avoid.
11.  Ma and Pa Goose do not want me to stop to admire their babies.
12.  Joggers wearing earbuds should check over their shoulder now and then.
13.  In the face of sharp corners and large rocks, your bike will take care of you, you just have to trust it.

Helmet Hair

Did you know that when the bike helmet law came into effect in BC, female ridership fell by 30%?  Isn't that crazy?  We're just worried about helmet-head.  It is nasty, I won't argue that.  But that should have opened up some doors to invention instead of sending us scurrying for our cars again.  For instance, there should be a helmet with pin-curl options inside, so that you arrive at work, pull off your helmet and voila! Your hair is coiffed with beautiful waves.  It's a million dollar idea, I tell ya.  For now, I've succumbed to my stylist's constant request to cut my hair into layers and, gulp, bangs.  Must admit, though, a good shake-out after the helmet, some spray n' scrunch and I look pretty darn good.  Girls, helmet-head can be overcome.