Exposure Photography Festival broadens its scope to include all of Alberta

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PRESS RELEASE

Exposure, a festival that celebrates the art of photography, is taking a bold new direction today by expanding its reach embracing an even wider geographical area and, more importantly, providing greater opportunities for photographers and lovers of photography across Alberta to become involved in a visual arts festival of the highest calibre.

“As the Chair of the Festival I am pleased to announce that Exposure 2015 will be a province-wide photography festival,” said Peter Duthie.  “Now galleries and independent photographers from across Alberta will be able to participate in a month-long  photography Festival this February.

Adding, “During the previous decade Exposure has proven itself to be one of the premiere visual arts events in Canada by attracting diverse photographic expression from Alberta and other parts of Canada and the world and showcasing it through collaborative exhibitions and special events.”

In Its first 10 years, Exposure programming was focused on the communities of Calgary, Banff and Canmore.

Exposure will continue to operate throughout the month of February with submissions now being sought from Alberta-based artists and gallerists. Exhibitions and events will be featured in a professionally published guide and on the festival’s website.  Exposure also hosts photography related presentations and workshops during the month of February.

Internationally recognized photographer Larry Louie is an example of an artist who now has the opportunity to participate in Exposure. Based in Edmonton, Louie will present an exhibition of his sumptuous black & white works capturing the daily life and struggles of people in the developing world. Another Edmonton venue already booked for Exposure 2015 is Harcourt House featuring the photographic works of award-winning artist Alexis Marie Chute.

“Exposure is truly a celebration of photography in all its forms,” said Duthie. “Tens of thousands of people each February have participated in Exposure and now all four million Albertans are invited.”

For more information go to expsourephotofestival.com, or contact Festival manager Wes Lafortune at T. 403-919-2502 or email at: exposurefotofest@gmail.com.

www.ExposurePhotoFestival.com

One on One Art Coaching for Marketing Success

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Are you an aspiring artist but get stuck with the next steps after you’ve created your work? You’re not the only one. Many artists are unfamiliar with how to get their work out into the world and effectively market themselves.

I had the benefit of growing up in an entrepreneurial family full of professionals that instilled in me the business focus in any venture. I paired this knowledge with my long experience as a professional artist and my love of helping others. When I coach artists, I offer advice and guidance in these areas:

  • Writing an effective artist statement
  • Applying for exhibitions (and where to find them in the first place)
  • Building a social network platform
  • Applying for funding
  • Photographing your work
  • Applying for Artist Residencies
  • Professional practices for artists
  • Blogging about your work

There are so many creative ways to get your work out of your studio and onto gallery and client walls. It is doable. Attitude and knowledge are key. Having someone to answer your questions will prove invaluable and will help propel you to achieving your goals.

To read more about my art coaching, please click here. Or email me at info@alexismariechute.com

Commission an Original Painting

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There is nothing like commissioning an original painting to stimulate the visual environment of your home or workplace.

I strongly encourage individuals and corporations to commission original art for three reasons:

  • The perfect size.

When I receive a commission, I view the space where the artwork will live before I get started. I discuss the size with my clients and make recommendations of how to best utilize the space with the goal of creating a statement piece. Then, I create artwork perfectly fitted like a tailored suit. There is no grumbling over a pre-made piece of art that is too large or too small or the wrong orientation. Commissions fit just right.

  • The perfect colour palette.

I take my cues for the colour palette from my clients and their environments. I listen to my client’s preferences and we brainstorm together as I ask guided questions. I look at the wall colour and consider whether the furniture is maple or birch, and what the space is used for. My client’s and I hash out a plan of what will both blend in and also pop out of the space. It is a fun collaborative process at this stage.

  • The perfect conversation starter.

Imagine having company over to your home or welcoming business associates into your boardroom. If the walls are bare, they will forget the room once they leave it – but if the artwork catches their eye, you may strike up an engaging conversation. Where did you get that art? Oh, it’s a commission, that’s interesting. So you worked with the artist to pick the size and colours? Was she the eccentric artistic type? Oh really, down to earth and easy to work with. Nice. I really like this section over here. Oh yeah, now that you mention it, I do see a face in those abstract drips. Boy, is that ever cool!

You may have heard that owning a one of a kind, original artwork is an investment. This is true, but it is also a fun process to be a part of; influencing the creation of something which had its inception in you. The outcome of a commission will never be exactly as you imagine during the conception stage, but that is one of the thrills of the process. The result at the end will be a surprise but one with a story that will make your artwork even more meaningful.  

To get more information about commissioning an original, please click here. Or email me at info@alexismariechute.com

Unfulfilled Precognition Exhibition in Calgary

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Last night was the opening reception of my exhibition called Unfulfilled Precognition at the EPCOR CENTRE of the Performing Arts in Calgary. My fine art photographs are hung in a window gallery alongside two other artists; Tia Halliday and Natalie McDonald.

Unfulfilled Precognition copyright Alexis Marie Chute 002

Unfulfilled Precognition is a series of photographs I took around the birth and death of my second child. The images were created with the Holga camera and expired film, two deliberately selected tools to convey the helplessness and wonderment of that time. I’ve titled this work Unfulfilled Precognition because, as a mother, from the second I discovered I was pregnant I had visions of the life of my child; I imagined what he would look like and saw him growing up, playing and going to school. When that future became permanently out of reach, those visions were somehow suspended in my mind like memories. I had believed in that future so wholeheartedly. Thus, the photographs reflect this vacant and ghostly yet sensitive psychology.

Unfulfilled Precognition copyright Alexis Marie Chute 003

To view Unfulfilled Precognition, click here.

Unfulfilled Precognition will be exhibited at the EPCOR CENTRE in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from July 11 to September 28, 2014. The opening reception takes place Thursday, July 17, 2014.

EPCOR CENTRE

205 8th Avenue S.E.
Calgary Alberta, T2G 0K9
Phone: 403.294.7455
Fax: 403.294.7457
info@epcorcentre.org

Walk-up Hours 
Monday – Saturday:  10am – 6pm
Sunday and Holidays: Closed

Click here to see the visual arts page of the EPCOR Centre.

Unfulfilled Precognition copyright Alexis Marie Chute 005

If you visit the show, please drop me a line and let me know what you think.

Also, if you are going to miss this showing of Unfulfilled Precognition, it will be exhibited next at the Kiwanis Gallery in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada from October 21 – November 23, 2014. Click here to see all 2014 exhibition dates.  

 

Method Art Gallery representing Alexis Marie in Scottsdale, AZ

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My latest three photographs represented by Method Art now grace the walls of their gallery. Have you ever been to Method Art? The gallery is in the heart of Old Scottsdale, Arizona on the ‘Gallery Walk’ district. The area buzzes with activity, gallery shows, tasty restaurants and boutiques. The staff at Method Art blow me away with their friendliness – they are not the snooty, off-putting types. If you are in the area, they are absolutely worth a visit.

My relationship with Method Art began when I won first prize in their “The Ultimate Composition” photography competition and, shall I say, the rest is history.

Method Art Gallery Scottsdale Arizona photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

The 2014 Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts in Pictures

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It was an honor to be shortlisted for the Northlands Award for an Emerging Artist. The Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts in Edmonton was great celebration of our city’s creativity. As always, it was nice to bump into other artsy folks and enjoy each other’s work. Here are some photos from the night:

Alexis Marie Chute Edmonton Mayor's Celebration of the Arts Emerging Artis 16 blog Alexis Marie Chute Edmonton Mayor's Celebration of the Arts Emerging Artis 18 blog

The shortlisted artists for the Northlands Award for an Emerging Artist: Jason Blower, Nuela Charles, Alexis Marie Chute, Ainsley Hillyard, Doug Organ, and Elizabeth Withey

The shortlisted artists for the Northlands Award for an Emerging Artist: Jason Blower, Nuela Charles, Alexis Marie Chute, Ainsley Hillyard, Doug Organ, and Elizabeth Withey

Alexis Marie & Aaron Chute

Alexis Marie & Aaron Chute

Alexis Marie Chute and Derek Brooks, Harcourt House Artist Run Centre's Executive Director

Alexis Marie Chute and Derek Brooks, Harcourt House Artist Run Centre’s Executive Director

Alexis Marie Chute and Writers Guild of Alberta Executive Director Carol Holmes

Alexis Marie Chute and Writers Guild of Alberta Executive Director Carol Holmes

The powerful words of Poet Laureate, Mary Pinkoski, made me shiver.

The powerful words of Poet Laureate, Mary Pinkoski, made me shiver.

Musical performance by Jeff Stuart and the Hearts with Shannon Johnson

Musical performance by Jeff Stuart and the Hearts with Shannon Johnson

Cheryl Slater-Roberts, Alexis Marie Chute, Charlotte Robb, and Sherwood Park Mayor Roxanne Carr

Cheryl Slater-Roberts, Alexis Marie Chute, Charlotte Robb, and Sherwood Park Mayor Roxanne Carr

Doug Robb and Alexis Marie Chute

Doug Robb and Alexis Marie Chute

Musician Ariane Mahryke Lemire and Alexis Marie Chute

Musician Ariane Mahryke Lemire and Alexis Marie Chute

Mayor Don Iveson

Mayor Don Iveson

Mayor Iveson taking a selfie on stage.

Mayor Iveson taking a selfie on stage.

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson and Alexis Marie Chute

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson and Alexis Marie Chute

Edmund Haakonson, Harcourt House Artist Run Centre president of the board and Alexis Marie Chute

Edmund Haakonson, Harcourt House Artist Run Centre president of the board and Alexis Marie Chute

Sherwood Park Mayor Roxanne Carr, Alexis Marie Chute, Cheryl Slater-Roberts and Bill Roberts

Sherwood Park Mayor Roxanne Carr, Alexis Marie Chute, Cheryl Slater-Roberts and Bill Roberts

Cheryl Slater-Roberts and Alexis Marie Chute

Cheryl Slater-Roberts and Alexis Marie Chute

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.