Sobey Art Award 2014 Longlist

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The Sobey Art Award, one of the most prestigious competitions in Canada, just announced its longlist. Across five regions of Canada, twenty five artists have been selected. With award monies mounting to a staggering $100,000 ($50,000 to the winner alone), it would seem that this is ‘the’ dream for the hard working artist.

If you won the $50,000, what would you do with the money?

Here are some of my ideas:

  • Buy supplies… unique wood for my sculptures, paint, a large scale photo printer, materials so I can do my own framing…
  • Go big… I would print and frame my photographs much larger than I do currently, build bigger sculptures, paint canvases twice my height…
  • Rent a warehouse… I’d love to work in a giant, musky old space where I can spread out and up…
  • Take a trip to a far off land to be inspired… maybe Thialand or India or Turkey

Winning the Sobey Art Award is a dream of mine – and one day when I do, I’ll come back to this list for ideas. Who knows, by then I may have a whole new list.

Until then, I would like to congratulate the longlist artists:

West Coast/Yukon
Allison Hrabluik
Farheen HaQ
Peter Morin
Dan Starling
Evan Lee

Prairies and the North
Michael Dumontier & Neil Farber
Cedric Bomford
Divya Mehra
Zin Taylor
Michael Dudeck

Ontario
Kelly Jazvac
Reena Katz
Balint Zsako
Chris Curreri
Jean-Paul Kelly

Québec
Olivia Boudreau
Diane Morin
Nadia Myre
Dominique Pétrin
Jon Rafman

Atlantic
Tamara Henderson
Ursula Johnson
Eleanor King
Graeme Patterson
Becka Viau

My top picks in each category:

West Coast and Yukon: Allison Hrabluik and Evan Lee

Prairies and The North: Michael Dudeck

Ontario: Balint Zsako

Québec: Olivia Boudreau

These picks are obviously based on personal preference. The winner will remain a mystery for now, only time will tell.

 

What do you think of the work of the longlisted artists?

Do you think their work is a good representation of Canada?

Are you feeling inspired?

 

Another item in the “Art Award Update” – In less than one week the winners will be announced in the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I’m so proud to be nominated, and shortlisted, for the Northlands Award for an Emerging Artist. Fingers crossed.

Mayor’s Art Awards Trailer:

Shortlisted for Northlands Award for Emerging Artist

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To be shortlisted for the Northlands Award for an Emerging Artist is extra special this year as I feel so passionate and connected to my work, and tremendously thankful to see how it is touching people and making a difference. The Quiet Rebuild is an ongoing labor of love.

The above picture is from the press conference at City Hall downtown Edmonton announcing the shortlisted artists and organizations in all award categories.

The complete shortlist for the 2014 Northlands Award for an Emerging Artist:

Jason Blower

Neula Charles

Alexis Marie Chute

Ainsley Hillyard

Doug Organ

Elizabeth Withy

The winner will be announced at the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts on April 28, 2014.

 

Welcome to the new AMC Art Portfolio site & Blog

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With so many great things happening with my artwork and in my life as an artist I knew it was time for my art portfolio to receive a needed makeover. Welcome to my new site and blog! The look is a little different, mod with oodles of delicious white space. It feels like a breath of fresh air. I am so excited to share with you all my latest work as it unfolds, my artsy fartsy inspirations, exhibitions, happenings; the works!

Please subscribe to this blog by entering your email address in the ‘subscribe’ box on the right. I will be posting once a week and my subscribers will receive these post in a handy email. Also, please like my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter. There are lots of ways to connect!

Thank you to all my readers and I look forward to meeting you here.

Art & Photography Updates

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February has been a busy month! Here are some exciting new updates:

Art

Photography

  • As the month wraps up so too does my exhibition of “The Quiet Rebuild” portraits at Art Central in Calgary as a part of Exposure Photography Festival. I gave two artist talks, “The Stories Behind the Portraits” and “Healing Through Creative Arts.” I was also featured on CBC radio in Calgary two weekends in a row talking about my work and a week ago I photographed ten new volunteer models for the project. (If you are interested in participating, please email me info@alexismariechute.com)

 

Photo by Chris Tait

Photo by Chris Tait

Photo by Chris Tait

Photo by Chris Tait

  • I am a finalist in the VISTEK Emerging Photographer Showcase. There are two days left for the online voting so if you like my work please lend me your support before February 27th at midnight! Click here to vote.

 

Upcoming Events: Stories behind the Portraits on Feb 15, then Music and Art on Feb 21

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This month is a busy one for me, commuting back and forth between Edmonton and Calgary every weekend – but boy am I having a blast! Last weekend was the opening reception of “The Quiet Rebuild” and I loved meeting so many new people and talking about my work.

Alexis Marie Chute The Quiet Rebuild Fine Art Portraits 1 blog

 

THIS WEEKEND

 

The Stories behind the Portraits of The Quiet Rebuild

Art Central, 100 – 7th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Saturday, February 15, 2014, 11 a.m.

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.

Alexis Marie Chute The Quiet Rebuild Fine Art Portraits 2 blog

 

NEXT WEEKEND

 

 

A Night of Art and Music with Alexis Marie and Drowning Ophelia

Friday, February 21, 2014

Doors open at 7:00 pm, music at 7:30 pm

By donation, RSVP on Facebook

Art Central, 100 – 7th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Local up-and-coming Canadian band, Drowning Ophelia, will be bringing their Alternative-Blues-Pop sound to Exposure Photography Festival to compliment Alexis Marie Chute’s art exhibition, “The Quiet Rebuild”. Come for a night of wine, snacks and the inspiring fusion of art and music!

This is an 18+ event, sorry no minors.

 

Drowning Ophelia Bio

You could possibly label Drowning Ophelia as “alternative pop;” however, their music combines influences from classic rock to Latin sounds, and have been described as “Santana meets No Doubt meets The Barenaked Ladies”. Currently they are working on their second album, to be released late 2014.

“Watch for them, and you might be saying ‘I saw them long before they were so famous.'”(Tracy Kolenchuck, Edmonton Arts Photographer)

Check out Drowning Ophelia online.

 

Healing through Creative Arts

Art Central, 100 – 7th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Saturday, February 22, 2014, 11 a.m.

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.

The Quiet Rebuild Opening Tonight at Exposure Photography Festival

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I had such a blast hanging my art in the pop up gallery in Art Central last weekend. Usually my hubby does the math but I was the sole installer and defied my right-brain preference and crunched numbers and measured like a grade-A student.

 

Before the art...

Before the art…

Today is an exciting day. This afternoon I’ll be on CBC Calgary talking about my fine art portraits in The Quiet Rebuild exhibition. Then tonight is the opening reception at Art Central.

Here are the details of the opening:

“The Quiet Rebuild” Exhibition

February 1-28, 2014 – Fridays, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. & Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Opening Reception: Friday, February 7, 2013, 6 – 9 p.m.

Art Central, 100 – 7th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada 

 

Art happily installed!

Art happily installed!

Also, I am putting out a call to Calgarians and people from surrounding areas to participate in the continuation of The Quiet Rebuild, my award winning portrait series. If you are interested in being a volunteer model this month, contact me by email: info@alexismariechute.com

I will be continuing these portraits in many cities, so if you are interested, even if not from Calgary, please get in touch.

 

Expose Yourself to Great Photography

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Exposure Photography Festival kicks off February 1st in Calgary, Banff and Canmore Alberta. With over 45 unique exhibitions and nearly 20 special events taking place over the month, Exposure is definitely the place to be for photographers, photo enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates visual artistry.

I am excited to be a part of the festivities by presenting my portraits from “The Quiet Rebuild.” Please join me! Here are the details of my exhibition and the two Artist Talks I will be giving in the gallery.

{Oh, and please vote for me in the VISTEK Emerging Photographer Competition! Click here to vote!}

“The Quiet Rebuild” Exhibition

February 1-28, 2014 – Friday, February 7, 2013, 6 – 10 p.m.

Art Central, 100 – 7th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Fridays, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. & Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

OR by appointment, 780-499-4311

Exhibition description:
Award winning photographer Alexis Marie Chute has created a series of provocative images of individuals in their time of healing following hardship. The portraits are symbolic of the regrowth of a forest after wildfire. As new growth finds its way through ash and ember, so too must individuals rebuild their lives after personal devastation. Alexis Marie compassionately exposes private struggle with skill and artistry in these large black and white photographs.

Preview the show by clicking here. 

 

The Stories Behind the Portraits - Artist Talk - Alexis Marie Chute - Digital Invitation

 

 

The Stories behind the Portraits of The Quiet Rebuild

Art Central, 100 – 7th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Saturday, February 15, 2013, 11 a.m.

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.

 

Art and Healing - Artist Talk - Alexis Marie Chute - Digital Invitation

 

 

Healing through Creative Arts

Art Central, 100 – 7th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Saturday, February 22, 2014, 11 a.m.

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.

Please Vote Alexis Marie Chute for Emerging Photographer

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The VISTEK Emerging Photographer Showcase has announced its Top Ten Finalists as a part of Exposure Photography Festival and I am honored to be included. Online voting will determine the 2014 Emerging Photographer. Gotta love the old popularity contest, right? I’m not a fan, but the rules are set – and I would very much appreciate your vote!

Voting is now open and will close at midnight on February 27th. You can vote by clicking here.

The photograph that are in the running come from a series called, “The Quiet Rebuild,” and feature images of volunteer models who have endured a tragedy in their lives and are models of resiliency and hope. The impetus behind the photos was the death of my son Zachary in 2010. His momentary life and lingering death have redefined for me every aspect of living. I am a new person and in many ways he has taught me much about myself and how to live this one life I’ve been gifted.

You can read more about “The Quiet Rebuild” in these blog posts:

“The Quiet Rebuild” at Exposure Photography Festival
First Place at Method Art Gallery
Why Alexis Marie is an Avenue Magazine Top 40 Under 40 in Edmonton
Fabulous Media Coverage for The Quiet Rebuild
Fall Harcourt House Artist in Residence Update

An Artful Start to 2014

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2013 was a great year. I started my MFA in Creative Writing at Lesley University and wrapped up my yearlong artist residency at Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre. People opened up about their struggles and healing in my portrait series, “The Quiet Rebuild,” and one of those images won first place in a photography competition at Method Art Gallery in Scottsdale Arizona.

My Harcourt art studio is already full of sunshine thanks to my daughter.

My Harcourt art studio is already full of sunshine thanks to my daughter.

As great as 2013 was, 2014 is already off to a wonderful start.

 

 

  • You can now find me either in my home art studio where I will be painting, or in my new studio at Harcourt House where I will be continuing with my wood sculpture explorations.

 

 

 

  • Opening in February is my solo show, “The Quiet Rebuild” the portraits. This exhibit is a part of Exposure Photography Festival and will be held in Calgary Alberta. I will also be hosting a number of artist talks and presentations during the month. (“The Quiet Rebuild” will also be shown at the Glenrose Hospital gallery later in the year.)

 

  • Also coming up in 2014 are two solo exhibitions of “Unfulfilled Precognition” which features the documentary-style art images that I took leading up to and following my son Zachary’s death in 2010.

 

I share my home studio with a very messy little artist indeed!

I share my home studio with a very messy little artist indeed!

I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people in my life who have supported me along the way. Thank you Aaron for always encouraging my dreams, having a positive attitude and making my passions your passions. Thank you Mom for always having a listening ear and taking such great care of my kids while I work. Thank you Candace for hanging out with me throughout undergrad while I painted and for modeling for me and generally being the best best-friend a girl could ask for. Thank you Dad, Bob, Randy and Gloria, Kaila, Kim Kelly, Robert Sinclair, Paul Freeman, Derek Brooks, Sharon Moore Foster… There are too many people to name. Hugs and love all around.

 

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

 

Cheers to 2014!  

“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