Hot off the Photographic Presses: The InFocus Edmonton Call for Submissions!

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On October 1st we launched the Call for Submissions for InFocus Edmonton, or InFocus YEG for short. The submission deadline is November 30, but with Thanksgiving and Halloween in between, the time will slip away quickly. Rummage through your negatives or digital files to find your best images and submit them here!

InFocus YEG strives to exhibit the amazing local talent of Edmonton and area at Harcourt House Artist Run Centre during the month of February 2015 as a part of Exposure Photography Festival. This is the first year that Exposure is province wide and the first time ever Edmonton is included in the creative festivities.

InFocus is an amazing opportunity to exhibit your work in a professional space with province-wide recognition. Plus, we are going to have a rockin’ reception party with a chance to celebrate the photographers that make our city and area distinct.

As a special incentive to enter early, the photograph for the magazine-style Exposure Photography Festival catalogue will be chosen from the images submitted before October 24, 2014! This is a huge opportunity to have your work seen across the province – and likely the country! Don’t wait to submit!

To learn more about InFocus YEG and how to enter your photos, click here.

Healing by the Creative Arts

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Through making my art, I discovered art therapy in a natural, organic way. No one told me to try it to help me heal. I wasn’t recommended a set of exercises to do in order to find myself. I just sat down in my studio with a pile of small woodcuts and got started without any direction or even conscious intent. The first wood sculpture I made I named The Quiet Rebuild and it was the beginning of that larger body of work.

Since then I have looked into the theory of art therapy and find it very stimulating and thoughtful for me in my professional art practice. In one of the semesters of my MFA I took an art therapy class as an interdisciplinary option and found it deepened my perspectives on art and healing. It gave me a new dimension in making, reflecting on and contextualizing my work. Since then the wood sculptures in The Quiet Rebuild grew to incorporate portraits of real people sharing their stories of resilience.

Now I am honoured to teach about the restorative potential of creativity. I offer two workshops: 

Healing through Visual Art

Healing through the Written Word

This summer and fall I will be presenting these workshops in Chicago Illinois, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Sherwood Park Alberta and San Antonio Texas. If you are interested in having one or both of these presentations at your conference, event or association, please email me at info@alexismariechute.com

I strongly believe that art must say something that matters. Within my work, I wrestle with the ideas of loss, struggle and survival. You can read more about my approach in my Artist Statement.

Art in Public Places: Thank you The Arts Initiative

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These photos of artwork were not taken in a gallery…

They were actually taken in a mall.

Alexis Marie Chute Chicago Mall Art balloons The Art Initiative

When I visited Chicago recently to speak at The Compassionate Friends of America National Conference (presenting on Healing through Visual Art) I visited the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago – but I also spent an hour at the outlet mall in the hotel district near the airport. What I found there were colourful and stimulating creative sculptures and 2D artwork at every turn.

Alexis Marie Chute Chicago Mall Art fashion The Art Initiative

First of all, I love that a commercial space invited such unique and eye catching art. Well done Fashion Outlets of Chicago.

 Secondly, this just goes to prove that you never know where you’ll find inspiration.

Alexis Marie Chute Chicago Mall Art escalator The Art Initiative

It turns out the mall has paired up with The Arts Initiative (Twitter: @artsinitiative1), a collective “dedicated to placing highly interactive visual art in public spaces.” The Work on show was curated by Miami-based Primary Projects Gallery. The mall features the work of many contemporary artists such as Daniel Arsham, Jim Drain, Friends With You, Bert Rodriguez and Jen Stark for example.

Alexis Marie Chute Chicago Mall Art rainbow The Art Initiative

Personally, I look for inspiration everywhere. That’s just who I am. Yet, I loved being totally surprised when I walked into the Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Fashion inspires me in its own right, but the mall truly was like walking through a place of cultural fusion. And I like that.

More about The Arts Initiative in the Fashion Outlets of Chicago

Alexis Marie Chute Chicago Mall Art food court The Art Initiative

 

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

“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

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!

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

A Call for Volunteer Models

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I am looking for people to volunteer to model for a fine art photo shoot. These images will be a part of my art exhibition at Harcourt House in October of this year. My body of work is called “The Quiet Rebuild.” I would like to connect with people who have experienced some kind of personal hardship from which they have had to rebuild their lives. The photos are going to be super interesting so get in touch if you are willing and able (or know someone who is!).

The photo shoot will be in August in Edmonton. Please contact me if you are interested and I will give you more information.

780-499-4311

info@alexismariechute.com

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.