“The Quiet Rebuild” New Portraits at Exposure Photography Festival

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Along with the exciting new group exhibition InFocus Edmonton, I am preparing another body of artwork to be exhibited during Exposure Photography Festival in February 2015. The first debut of my large black and white portraits was in my Artist-in-Residence exhibition, “The Quiet Rebuild,” at Harcourt House Artist Run Centre in Edmonton, Alberta in October 2013 – and the artwork has been seen in many galleries and public spaces since. Coming up, I will reveal brand new portraits in “The Quiet Rebuild” series during the Exposure festival.

These photographs are in keeping with the theme of resiliency in the wake and aftermath of hardship and are beautiful, subtle visual stories of my models. All models responded to an open call and volunteered. The show will feature Albertan and Ontario residents.

The Quiet Rebuild – New Portraits

February 28 – March 1, 2015

Annex Gallery at Harcourt House

10215-112 Street, Edmonton, AB

Saturday, February 28: 10am to 10pm, 6:30pm Artist Talk, 7pm reception with live music

Sunday, March 1: 10am to 5pm

To see many of the portraits in “The Quiet Rebuild” please click here.

To volunteer for “The Quiet Rebuild,” please email Alexis Marie: info@alexismariechute.com

 

“The Quiet Rebuild” at Exposure Photography Festival

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I loved being the Artist-in-Residence at Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre and my solo exhibition there, “The Quiet Rebuild,” touched at the very heart of who I am as an artist. I’m so thankful I visited the exhibition on its very last day with a dear family member and our kids. The youngsters ran around the gallery and laughed and played. It always warms my heart to see children stimulated and comfortable in a space full of art. Teach children to love art and they will hopefully love it as adults as well. That’s the goal.

The Quiet Rebuild Wall copyright Alexis Marie Chute

My exhibition at Harcourt may be over but the show must go on!

One of the photos in “The Quiet Rebuild” will be exhibited in Scottsdale Arizona at Method Art Gallery opening this week, but after that the whole collection will be shown in a solo exhibition in Calgary as a part of Exposure Photography Festival. I will also be giving two talks during the festival, sharing the stories of the portraits as well as discussing art’s ability to heal. February 2014 will be an exciting month!

 

Here is the info about “The Quiet Rebuild” at Exposure Photography Festival.

 

“The Quiet Rebuild”

Exposure Photography Festival

February 1 – 28, 2014

Opening Reception: Friday, February 7, 2013, 6 – 10 pm

Art Central, 100-7th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, CAN

 

The Stories behind the Portraits of The Quiet Rebuild
Join Alexis Marie Chute as she shares the harrowing yet inspiring stories of her volunteer models. From infidelity, heart attack and loss, her portraits tell tales of resiliency to overcome any obstacle. Alexis Marie will also reveal her own experience which was the impetus behind it all.

Where: The Quiet Rebuild exhibition, Art Central, 100 – 7th Avenue S.W. Calgary, AB, CAN

When: 11:00 am, Saturday, February 15, 2013

Cost: Free

 

Healing through Creative Arts
After the death of her son, Alexis Marie Chute realized that photography, art and writing were powerful tools to express grief. Join Alexis Marie as she discusses creative personal expression and ways that photography can be used to find healing and self-fulfillment. Examples of photographic image making will be presented.
Where: The Quiet Rebuild exhibition, Art Central, 100 – 7th Avenue S.W. Calgary, AB, CAN

When: 11:00 am, Saturday, February 22, 2013

Cost: Free

 

I am truly looking forward to connecting with the Calgary art community! Join me!

The Quiet Rebuild gallery copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Fabulous Media Coverage for The Quiet Rebuild

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The opening of The Quiet Rebuild at Harcourt House gallery was a huge success. As I began my artist talk I looked at the large crowd that gathered, over 75 people, and was overcome with emotion. It will always be a very special moment for me.

One of the strengths of my artwork is that it not only has meaning but that meaning says something that matters. My work communicates with viewers that no matter what life may bring their way they will survive and thrive. It’s a message of hope.

I am very thankful to all the staff at Harcourt House, to my family (specifically my husband Aaron and our awesome kids), to my friends, art supporters… The list goes on and on. It is so humbling to hear from individuals that have a strong connection to my work. It means the world to me.

I am also very thankful for all the awesome media coverage I’ve received.

Here are some articles about The Quiet Rebuild:

“Local artist Alexis Marie Chute in her own words: 20 questions” Edmonton Examiner

“Edmonton artist Alexis Marie Chute’s latest exhibit was an act of recovery after a very formative year” Edmonton Examiner

“The Quiet Rebuild looks at human resilience in healing after tragedy” The Gateway

“Prevue: The Quiet Rebuild” Vue Weekly

“The Quiet Rebuild” PhotoLife Magazine

“11th Annual Artist in Residence Exhibition, Opening Reception: Alexis Marie Chute” Galleries West

Video Links:

“The Quiet Rebuild” Alberta Primetime Teaser

The Quiet Rebuild & Alexis Marie Chute on Alberta Prime Time and Shaw TV Today

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My artwork in The Quiet Rebuild will be featured today on Alberta Prime Time and Shaw TV.

Here are the details:

Alberta Primetime

6pm, Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Channel 9 or 212

Shaw TV, Go! Program

Starting at noon and running through the afternoon/evening

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Channel 10

Fall Harcourt House Artist in Residence Update

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The Quiet Rebuild

“The Quiet Rebuild” – my art show at the culmination of my year as Artist in Residence at Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre – officially opens in exactly one week! I can hardly believe it! The year has gone by so quickly and I have cherished every precious moment of it.

 

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

My studio has undergone massive transformations as well. I started my residency with two loveseats and now there are none as I needed every square foot. If you come and visit my studio you’ll have to sit on a painting chair… but still come! When my residency began the walls were bare yet now it seems like every inch of space has been transformed. In November 2012 I set out with delicate, two foot tall wood sculptures and now have large, nearly 5 foot high, sculptures that weigh a ton. During the year I have also painted and worked with wood burning.

 

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

So what exactly is “The Quiet Rebuild” all about, you ask?

After my son died I discovered that art was a helpful tool to work through my grief and find healing. I also learned that people struggle in similar ways after all kinds of hardships and that one of the best traits of humanity is resiliency. My artwork in “The Quiet Rebuild” is an abstracted picture of my grief and journey to find healing. I also found inspiration in others who shared their stories with me from all kinds of struggle; these brave individuals have given me permission to share their stories with my viewers. The rebuilding process is quiet, unglamorous, but needed and soulful. I hope my work in “The Quiet Rebuild” will be a visual enjoyment and encouragement to many people.

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

When/Where/Why/How/Who

First of all, everyone is welcome!

Opening Reception: Thursday, October 24, 2013

7:30pm –  I will be giving an artist talk about my work

8:00-10:00pm – Reception, snacks and mingling

Harcourt House Gallery: 3rd floor, 10215-112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta

http://harcourthouse.ab.ca/

WHY: Because “The Quiet Rebuild” is quirky and beautiful; the artwork playful while deeply moving and thought-provoking.

Save your Seat for Social Network Marketing

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It is less than a week until Marketing Strategies: for Artists (and writers, and photographers and any creative individual), a course I am teaching at Harcourt House. Save your seat! It’s not too late to register.

Social Networking photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute blog

Course Description:

We create art in a time of digital literacy. In this course you will learn how to use online tools to market your work and yourself. The goal is to engage your target market, interest the media and establish yourself as a professional in your field. You will learn how to use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and a blog to make important connections and attract interest to your work. To top it all off, you will leave the course with a plan to automate these networks so you still have time to make your art!

Details:

Instructor: Yours truly! Alexis Marie Chute

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2013

Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Cost: $30 ($20 for Harcourt House members)

RSVP: harcourtexhibit@shaw.ca or 780.426.4180

Want an Invite to The Quiet Rebuild?

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Do you want a personal invite to my solo exhibition entitled The Quiet Rebuild at Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre? I’d love to have you there! Please email me your address and wait by the mailbox! The countdown is on. Only two months till The Quiet Rebuild opens.

Art lovers, mark your calendars. Opening reception: October 24th. The exhibition runs until November 24, 2013.

Summer Artist in Residence Update

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Summer? What summer? Oh, do you mean the heat wave that is passing through my art studio in the Harcourt House Annex? Ah, that summer. Yes, it’s true. I’ve been spending countless hours at work, despite the nice weather, as my solo exhibition in Harcourt’s main space is quickly approaching. It’s just over two months away. TWO months! I can hardly believe it.

It seems like only yesterday that I walked into the white walled space and set down roots in the gallery community. Now, I am completely out of wall space.  I feel like my work has taken on a life of its own and has grown in depth and breadth. It’s a good time.

Alexis Marie Chute Artist in Residence Harcourt House Edmonton-0006 blog

I am finishing sculptures, paintings, mixed media 2D work, no wait 3D work… it can’t decide what it is! I am presently embarking on a photographic component to my work as well, incorporating images of our local Edmonton construction that we all love so much. Plus photographs of people will also begin in just two days! (A huge thank you to all my lovely volunteers who have opened up about their struggles and what it has taken for them to rebuild their life.)

Alexis Marie Chute Art Studio Harcourt House Gallery Blog 001

All the artwork speaks to this one large message: the human heart can endure much and rebuild itself after hardship. Side note, the rebuild process is never easy and always creates something altogether new. I call my work, “The Quiet Rebuild.”

Mark your calendars for “The Quiet Rebuild”!

Thursday, October 24, 2013 – Opening Reception & artist talk

Visit the exhibition in the Harcourt House gallery from October 24 to Novemeber 24, 2013.

Alexis Marie Chute Art Studio Harcourt House Gallery Blog 002 Alexis Marie Chute Art Studio Harcourt House Gallery Blog 005

Artist in Residence Meet and Greet Today

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After you enjoy Harcourt House’s members exhibition, Kinetic, and gobble up a delicious burger on the lawn in front of the gallery, come find me in the Annex building for the Artist in Residence meet and greet. I will be giving a poetry reading and doing a woodworking demo.

One of my wood sculptures that incorporates Jenga and pieces of wood I cut into a whimsical structure.

One of my wood sculptures that incorporates Jenga and pieces of wood I cut into a whimsical structure.

See you tonight!

Click here for the address and more details.

Here are some of my Artist in Residence updates:

December 2012 Update

New Work, Residency and the Groove

March in the Studio, AIR Update

Artist in Residence interview on Shaw TV

 

Open Art Studio, Open Heart

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It’s time for the Artist in Residence meet and greet at Harcourt House!

This Thursday night I will be opening my art studio in the Harcourt Annex for visitors. I will also be giving a poetry reading and doing a demo of my woodworking techniques. This coincides with Harcourt’s annual member’s exhibition; this year the theme is Kinetic. It’s going to be a great night! Also in store: a complementary BBQ on the grass in front of the gallery (YUM!) and a free life drawing workshop.

I truly love what I am working on in my studio at Harcourt House. My art is full of color and shape. Come Thursday, June 20th and see for yourself.

I truly love what I am working on in my studio at Harcourt House. My art is full of color and shape. Come Thursday, June 20th and see for yourself.

The body of art I am creating during my residency is called “The Quiet Rebuild” and is a visual picture of healing and rebuilding one’s life after hardship.

For me, the hardship was losing my second child to a cardiac tumor in 2010. Since then I have been slowly (sometimes extremely slowly) and quietly rebuilding my life. I have found that art became and remains an important tool and expression of my grief and search for hope. Everyone will find meaning in this artwork.

I am working with a lot of wood, both natural and manufactured in “The Quiet Rebuild.” Other materials I am using include yarn, Jenga blocks, paper, and acrylic paint. Oh and photography as well. I feel such an amazing connection with my art and am looking forward to sharing it with our local community within my studio, where all the magic happens!

The poem I will be reading speaks to the time I lost my son, whom we named Zachary. I am currently working on branding (burning) the poem onto wood panels. I will share more about the meaning of the poem and my wood burning technique at the demo.

Click here for specific  info about the Kinetic exhibition and Artist in Residence meet and greet. Hope to see you there!!

This is a fish-eye photo of my poem I am branding onto wood panels. Come to the Artist in Residence meet and greet to hear a reading of the poem and see my wood burning techniques first hand.

This is a fish-eye photo of my poem I am branding onto wood panels. Come to the Artist in Residence meet and greet to hear a reading of the poem and see my wood burning techniques first hand.