Northlands Award for Emerging Artist, Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts

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On Monday, April 29, 2013 the Mayor’s Celebration of Arts kicks off its 26th year recognizing stars of the Edmonton arts community and its partnerships with local businesses. It is an exciting event – one of which I am honoured to be a part. I have been nominated for the Northlands Award for an Emerging Artist. My category is by far the largest with fourteen artists in the running, including myself.

No matter who wins, I am thrilled that our city has an event that celebrates artists and artist-friendly businesses. I believe the wonderful talent in our city needs recognition and encouragement. We are a creative group without doubt!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my nominator: Harcourt House and specifically the amazing Derek Brooks. The support of Harcourt House is an artist’s dream and every day of my residency I am immensely thankful for the organization’s belief and support of me and my work. There is no hesitation when I say that Harcourt House has played a pivotal role in my artistic development. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Please attend this exciting event with me!

Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts

Winspear Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

7:00pm, Monday, April 29, 2013

Purchase tickets at the Winspear.

 

I’d like to celebrate everyone nominated in my category!

Northlands Award for an Emerging Artist

100 mile house nominated by Al Chapman

Patrick Arès-Pilon nominated by Mile Zero Dance

Giselle Boehm nominated by March Music Inc & The School of Song

Justin Brunelle nominated by Parkland Films

Alexis Marie Chute nominated by Harcourt House

Giselle Denis nominated by Lisa Evangelos

Dave Luxton nominated by Kids Up Front Foundation Edmonton

Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail nominated by Natasha Deen

Jessy Mossop nominated by Rob Tanner

Omar Mouallem nominated by Lisa Baroldi, Director/Vision Holder, Progress Unlimited

Jason Lee Norman nominated by Lamya Asiff

Mary Pinkoski nominated by Leila Sidi

Erin Elizabeth Ross nominated by Michael Dub

Sean Sonego nominated by Witold L. Gutter

 

Good luck and see you at the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts!

March in the Studio, Artist in Residence Update

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Artwork and photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Artwork and photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Being the Artist in Residence at Harcourt House has allowed me to find my footing within my current body of art and take off running. The time and space they have provided me to develop my creative work is one of the greatest gifts an artist can receive. The people who work at Harcourt House are pretty amazing too!

Truly the time has flown by and with the close of March I tick off my fifth month at the gallery. Five months! On one hand I feel like, ‘Where has the time gone?’ but on the other I am amazed at the gift of time itself.

Art and photography copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Art and photography copyright Alexis Marie Chute

What exactly do I spend my time on you ask? Answer: lots of hard work and creative play.

I approach my artwork through experimentation with my chosen materials (wood, glue, yarn, acrylic paint…) while holding my concept loosely in my head (and my heart) to see where it all takes me.

For those of you new to my blog, the greater meaning behind my work is the idea of rebuilding ones life after hardship. My method is very akin to my materials and process themselves; I am experimenting using art to heal.

Art and photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Art and photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute

The images in this post are some of my very recent work. I began using Jenga pieces in some of my compositions and found this consumerist approach a fun twist while drawing on the concept of the game itself; build as high as you can until your structure falls over. When it does, which is always the case, you laugh and build again learning from your mistakes and constructing your tower even higher the next time.

I love a comment from Brand on my last Harcourt House Residency update. He said my work reminded him of photographic pixels. That notion blows me a way – I LOVE IT! It totally jives with the photographer in me. I am percolating ideas of how to incorporate that concept into my work and am excited about it.

As always, I LOVE company at my studio so please come for a visit! I purposefully have lots of seating so come talk art, life or whatever is on your mind. Contact me to find a time that works.

Art Donation for YESS Edmonton

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It was my pleasure to donate a piece of my artwork for Rock ‘n’ Robes, a fundraiser for YESS Edmonton. YESS, Youth Empowerment and Support Services, is a quintessential not-for-profit in Edmonton which is “unconditionally devoted to helping youth facing difficult realities.”

I had the pleasure of interacting with Katie Clackson who is one of the fundraiser organizers. She sold me on the event describing it as: Rock ‘n’ Robes is a battle of the bands event in which a number of musically talented lawyers and judges will be performing for their colleagues and other members of the Edmonton community.

How fun is that! What a creative idea to bring people together to raise funds for a great cause!

YESS is a great cause, but over the years they have experienced significant difficulty reaching their funding goals. I have tweeted often in support for YESS, circulating a request for help letter they put out to the media and community not long ago.

Please visit the YESS website to learn about donating, or if you are able please get involved.

Our community can be strong and healthy when we commit ourselves to do good.

New Work, Residency and the Groove

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As February stretches onwards, I marvel that I am over a quarter of the way into my residency at Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre. To say time flies is an understatement; time tornados by! Yet, I make sure to slow myself to appreciate every precious moment of it.

I wanted to share some of my new work that has been my labor of love since November 2012. Really, I have too much to share here and will soon create a new category on my website in the portfolio section. Stay tuned.

 

Copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Copyright Alexis Marie Chute

I have been working with wood, both sculpturally and on flat surfaces. Currently I am holding my breath waiting on a big order of cut wooden pieces to arrive – then I will be feverishly creating even more unique “city-like” designs (so I’ve been told they resemble by visitors to my studio). The long wait would be negated if anyone reading this is skilled with a _________ (insert word here that names a wood cutting tool with the precision to cut very small squares) – if you or someone you know is able to give me a hand, please get in touch!

 

At first I wasn’t quite sure how my paintings relate to my wood creations but when the Harcourt House Executive Director, Derek Brooks, popped in one day and explained to me the correlation – I finally got it. It’s true, apparently, that artists can be too close to their own work to notice connections sometimes.

 

Wood sculpture 01 art copyright Alexis Marie Chute

I am in the groove working in my studio. It’s a romance with my materials and I am constantly exploring new ways of creating with them – truly a fun time.

Vote for my Images, Exposure Photography Festival

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Artists Lens - Alberta Society of Artists - Alexis Marie Chute - Exposure Photography Festival 07

Exposure is a photography festival in Calgary, Banff and Canmore Alberta running from the 1st to the 28th of February, 2013. Their catch phrase, “Photography is the Medium of Our Times,” is entirely true from my perspective. You just have to drive a main drag in the city to see billboard after billboard of images lining the street.

Image is king.

I was recently in Calgary to attend the opening of the group exhibition “The Artists Lens” put on by the Alberta Society of Artist’s. Three of my photographs stood on easels at the center of the room, bathed in the beautiful spot lights of Artpoint Gallery. It was a pleasure to rub shoulders with the local art crowd of Calgary and even if you missed the opening, you can still visit Artpoint Gallery until the end of the Festival to see “The Artists Lens.”

Artists Lens - Alberta Society of Artists - Alexis Marie Chute - Exposure Photography Festival 08 Artists Lens - Alberta Society of Artists - Alexis Marie Chute - Exposure Photography Festival 06 Artists Lens - Alberta Society of Artists - Alexis Marie Chute - Exposure Photography Festival 04 Artists Lens - Alberta Society of Artists - Alexis Marie Chute - Exposure Photography Festival 03 Artists Lens - Alberta Society of Artists - Alexis Marie Chute - Exposure Photography Festival 01

While in Calgary, I received word that one of my photographs was being displayed on a digital billboard, a perk of being a finalist in the 2013 VISTEK Emerging Photographer competition. Near the airport, my husband, kids and I found the billboard! My photograph of marbles shone brightly on the overcast winter day – it was surreal.

Exposure Photo Festival Alexis Marie Chute VISTEK Emerging Photographer 2013 01 Exposure Photo Festival Alexis Marie Chute VISTEK Emerging Photographer 2013 02

There is a People’s Choice Award to be had by one of the competition finalists – and it involves a quick online vote.

 

If you enjoy my work, I would sincerely appreciate your vote!

 

Artists Lens - Alberta Society of Artists - Alexis Marie Chute - Exposure Photography Festival 05

The Artist Lens Exhibition

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The Alberta Society of Artists is mounting their first photographic exhibition and I am proud to be a part of it! I will be showing three fine art photographs at the show in Calgary, Alberta.

Here are the details:

The Artist Lens

February 1 – March 2, 2013

Artpoint Galleries and Studios

1139-11 Street SE, Calgary

Opening Reception: February 8, 2013 at 5-9pm

Artists in the show include: Barbara Amos, Carole Bondaroff, Ross Bradley, Alexis Marie Chute, Linda Craddock, Sean Esopenko, David Harrison, Royce Howland, Carol Huggler, Marianne Hunt, Kevin Jordan, Michele King, Malissa Lea, Dawn LeBlanc, Deborah Lougheed Sinclair, Roberta Murray, E. Boyd Nave, Karin Richter, and Aynsley Stelfox.

I hope to see you at the opening!

Fashion for Freedom: Call to Designers & Artists

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Dress by Alexis Marie Chute, Hair & Make-Up by Erin Clemmer, Copyright Brittany Paige Photography

I am going to be designing wearable art for Fashion for Freedom, an event put on by Poiema Productions to raise funds and awareness for The A21 Campaign.

Poiema is looking for designers and artists to create wearable clothing out of unconventional materials to walk the runway at Fashion for Freedom.

ABOUT FASHION FOR FREEDOM & A21:

Fashion for Freedom is a fundraising event put on by Poiema Productions and promises to be a night of highly creative fashion. It will be an opportunity for you to bring your most artistic, avant-garde, found object collections to the stage for an important cause.

The A21 Campaign stands for abolishing injustice in the 21st century. They help rescue and provide the victims of human trafficking with a safe and comforting environment, access to medical and psychological care, vocational training, secondary education assistance, counseling and access to legal assistance.

This is an effort Poiema Productions are passionately supporting as it is an issue that impacts not only our global neighborhood, but our own province and city.

 

Dress by Alexis Marie Chute, Hair & Make-Up by Erin Clemmer, Copyright Brittany Paige Photography

 

HOW YOU CAN BE A PART OF FASHION FOR FREEDOM:

Designers:

Each designer will need to create one piece in each of the two categories. All pieces must be completely created from found objects, no fabrics will be allowed;

Example materials: newspaper, garbage bags, fishnet, etc.

AVANT-GARDE

We are looking for an open, limitless style. The models will be wearing black garments to accompany the piece on the runway.

RAW COUTURE

This will be a complete head to toe gown or suit.

 

Dress by Alexis Marie Chute, Hair & Make-Up by Erin Clemmer, Copyright Brittany Paige Photography

 

There will only be 20 designers selected for this event so please apply by the end of January, 2013!

Find the online application info here.

 

 

 

Upcoming Fine Art Photo Exhibits

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CURRENT

Winter Salon

Group Exhibition

Photohaus Gallery

14 West 7th

Vancouver, British Columbia

Opening Reception: December 14, 2012

Exhibtion runs the month of December, 2012

View the online gallery for the exhibition to see the works exhibited.

 

 

 

2013

Artist Lens

Group Exhibition

By The Alberta Society of Artists

Artpoint Gallery

1139-11th St SE (Adelaide St.)

Calgary, Alberta

Opening Reception: Friday, February 8, 2012 from 5-9pm

Exhibition runs the month of February

 

 

2014

Unfulfilled Precognition

Solo Exhibition

Kiwanis Gallery

In the Red Deer Public Library

4818-49 Street

Red Deer, Alberta

Opening Reception: Friday, November 7, 2014

Exhibition runs: October 21 to November 23, 2014

 

Harcourt House AIR Update

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My wood sculptures are growing in width and height – and even colour! I have finished a small but complex piece and am breezing along with another that will end up being as tall as I am!

This week I will be building large stretchers, about 6 x7 feet, and stretching them with unprimed canvas. With these I will be creating my ‘forest’ so to speak. Likely by the New Year the walls of my studio will be transformed with colour and paintings of the evolution of the natural life of a forest through growth, fire and regrowth.

Wood pieces sit drying after being glued. Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

I have met a few other artists in the Harcourt House Annex and have come to feel so at home in my studio already. I want each moment of my residency to stretch out as long as possible – it is a dream come true and I love every second!

Little glued pieces wait to be used in my sculptures. Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

(AIR = Artist in Residence)

Wood Sculptures “A Visual Delight”

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Bleeding Heart Gallery on Alberta Ave exhibited two of my wood sculptures at their inaugural art show at the end of November. It was great to be present at the opening reception and be a part of launching a new alternative space while connecting with local art lovers.

I met one sweet gal named, Rebekah Sherman, at the gallery that night. She is a children’s pastor and I noticed her enjoying my sculptures. I asked her what she thought and Rebekah has kindly emailed me what she had said that night:

“I saw Alexis Marie’s two sculptures, before they were exhibited, sitting at the entrance of the gallery.  I was drawn to them instantly.  I seem to have a magnetic attraction to art that is wrought from raw, natural materials- especially wood.  The teetering structure of naked wood struck me as both whimsical and calculated.”

“The pieces, carefully balanced and angled, reached up with possibility.  Anchored on a dark, rich base of a tree stump, the pale remnants have permission to be frail and grow. The juxtaposition of this weathered stump, weighty with character and history, with the stark, thinly manufactured fragments of wood, is gripping.”

“It’s as if Alexis Marie has managed to keep a castle of cards suspended gracefully in time. A visual delight.”

 

Wood sculpture by Alexis Marie Chute

It was a pleasure connecting with Rebekah and others that night. I feel encouraged with the direction of my current work at Harcourt House and excited to develop my concept further.

Here are some photos from the opening of “Let’s Begin” group exhibition.

 

Aaron Vanimere, the exhibition curator, and me at the busy opening reception.

 

My wonderful hubby, Aaron Chute, and our friend Geoff Abma listen to the welcoming remarks.

Geoff’s lovely wife and my awesome friend and fellow artist, Alicia Abma.

My friends and I by my two sculptures on exhibit at “Let’s Begin.”

My friends Neil & Aimee Diewert came along with their happy one year old, Anthony.