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.

 

Shortlisted for a Yeggie!

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Is being nominated for a Yeggie like an Oscar or Grammy nomination? Well in the case of Edmonton new media – a Yeggie’s where it’s at.

I want to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone who nominated my blog writing for a Yeggie. My blog, Wanted, Chosen, Planned – Life after the Loss of a Child, made the shortlist for the category Best in Family & Parenting.

First of all I want to say that writing about my late son Zachary and our family’s journey after his death is more than an honor. Wanted, Chosen, Planned is dedicated to Zachary and I am so thankful that the legacy of his short life is that I may encourage and support others who have also lost a child. It is truly the greatest gift Zachary could have ever given me – apart from his life. I miss him daily but am glad to be making a difference. That part makes me smile. 

Yeggies photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute WRITE BLOG

The category description: The Best in Family or Parenting award is given to those who share insights into their own families or family in general online. They may call themselves Mommy Bloggers or Daddy Bloggers (though of course these categories are medium agnostic). Regardless of self-applied labels, they let us into their homes, and allow us to get to know their families — and perhaps even our own — through storytelling.

No word yet on the date of the awards night, but I’m sure it will be quite a party.

 

Writing Update

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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.

 

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!  

First Place Photo at Method Art Gallery

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Yesterday was the opening reception for “The Ultimate Composition” exhibition and competition at Method Art Gallery in Scottsdale Arizona. I have one photograph in the exhibit and another which made the honorable mention list.

Fine Art Photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Fine Art Photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute

I called the owner at Method Art Gallery last night, returning a message on my cell phone. Unfortunately I could not be State-side to attend the opening, but the owner informed me that my photograph in the exhibition, “Healing 5” from my body of art entitled “The Quiet Rebuild,” had just won first place in the competition.

First place. I was not expecting this news and thanked the owner, Davin, about a million times.

A little bit about the photo: I created this portrait and others in the collection with the aim of capturing people rebuilding their lives after hardship. The woman in this photograph overcame a post-partum heart attack and worked hard to find happiness and health afterwards, both for herself and for her family. She told me she feared having another heart attack yet she pressed on.

In the end, I want to inspire viewers to never give up, even in difficult times. Life is worth living and every day is a gift.

I am honored to win the photo competition and am very grateful to the jury at Method Art for believing in my work.

“The Ultimate Composition” will be showing at Method Art Gallery until February 1st.

scottsdale arts district Alexis Marie Chute Art Walk the Line Scottsdale Arizona

I also want to thank my mom for taking these photos!

Alexis Marie Blog shortlisted for the Canadian Weblog Awards in Two Categories

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The Shortlist has been announced for the Canadian Weblog Awards. I was kindly notified by a twitter connection of my blog’s inclusion. Out of 34 categories my blog has made the top five in both:

Art, Crafting and Photography

Writing and Literature

Thank you to those that nominated my blog and thank you to those that read every post. It means the world to me. The first, second and third place winners will be announced in two days, on December 7th, 2013. No matter the outcome, I am honoured to be included on this list of some truly amazing blogs and dedicated bloggers.

When I started blogging I had no idea the enjoyment I would derive from online journaling, sharing stories and updates on my work. It has been a pleasure.

University of Alberta rocks the Top 40 Under 40

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It is really nice to see how many University of Alberta graduates have remained in Edmonton after their education was complete. These people have worked towards making their city great in so many unique ways. I am honored to be counted amongst these truly amazing individuals.

It was a pleasure to speak with Bryan Alary about my experience as a UofA grad and a Top 40. Here is the article, “Green and Gold shines in Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40” published online November 21, 2013. I believe the article will also be included in the University’s magazine which is due any day.

Receiving my award from publisher Orville Chub, new Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, Avenue Magazine editor Steven Sandor, and Minister of Culture Heather Klimchuk

Receiving my award from publisher Orville Chub, new Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, Avenue Magazine editor Steven Sandor, and Minister of Culture Heather Klimchuk

Alexis Marie Chute, Top 40 Under 40, Avenue Magazine, 2013

Alexis Marie Chute, Top 40 Under 40, Avenue Magazine, 2013

My awesome friends!

My awesome friends!

Group Exhibition at Method Art Gallery in Arizona

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I’m proud to announce that I received a confirmation this morning that I will be a part of a group exhibition called “The Ultimate Composition” which opens December 3, 2013 in Scottsdale Arizona.

Check out the photographs in the show. I have one piece in the show and a second with honorable mention.

Visit Exhibitions to see all upcoming showings of my work.