Photography Update – Page 9 – Alexis Marie Chute Productions

Please Vote Alexis Marie Chute for Emerging Photographer

January 23, 2014/0 Comments/in Art Update, Awards, Photography Inspirations, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

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

January 17, 2014/2 Comments/in Art Update, Awards, Gallery Openings, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

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.

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.

My art is now a part of the Art Gallery of Alberta Art rental and sales program.

Method Art Gallery will be representing my work in Scottsdale, AZ, USA.

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 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

Cheers to 2014!

“The Quiet Rebuild” at Exposure Photography Festival

December 12, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Exhibitions, Photography Inspirations, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

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.

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, 100-7^th 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!

First Place Photo at Method Art Gallery

December 6, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Awards, Exhibitions, Gallery Openings, Photography Inspirations, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

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

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 1^st.

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

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

December 5, 2013/4 Comments/in Art Update, Awards, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

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 7^th, 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

November 25, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Awards, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

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

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

My awesome friends!

Give with Style Today

November 16, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

What better way to put you in the mood for Christmas shopping than a winter wonderland outside? The snowflakes are dancing in the air mischievously and the snow has frosted Edmonton like a cake – BUT it’s never too cold to give with style.

Giving with Style is today. Brave the weather and come. www.GivingWithStyle.ca

I am selling gorgeous art-adorned greeting cards, framed paintings and award winning photography (featured on a billboard in Calgary earlier this year as a finalist in the Vistek Emerging Photographer competition).

Brave the roads (drive slow) and find me at this charitable event today. Part of my sales will be donated back to the charities.

Group Exhibition at Method Art Gallery in Arizona

November 15, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Awards, Gallery Openings, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

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.

Why Alexis Marie is an Avenue Magazine Top 40 Under 40 in Edmonton

November 13, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Awards, Photography Update, Publication /by Alexis Marie Chute

– MEDIA RELEASE  –

Artist and Writer honored to be included amongst Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in Edmonton

Any time a person finds themselves on a list of ‘top anything’, it’s usually a good thing. But when that recognition comes from the place and people that fuel and nurture the work itself, that acknowledgment is all that much sweeter. So Alexis Marie Chute’s inclusion in Avenue magazine’s 2013 “Top 40 Under 40” sits high amongst the honors she has received for her work as an artist, writer, and volunteer.

Chute hasn’t been told who nominated her, but it’s difficult to see how she wouldn’t be recognized as one of Edmonton’s best and brightest. Chute has been a high profile artist in the city for many years, exhibiting in dozens of venues at home and abroad, teaching children about the importance of art in their lives, being named an “Emerging Canadian Photographer” by PhotoLife Magazine, and most recently acting as Harcourt House’s Artist-in-Residence. Chute’s solo exhibition, “The Quiet Rebuild,” can be viewed in the Harcourt House Gallery until November 29, 2013.

Through it all, Edmonton has been central to Chute’s personal and professional development. “The city has been so good to me, both directly and indirectly. I don’t think of Edmonton just as my home, but as my community—something that runs much deeper and is so much more important.”

Chute’s involvement in the Edmonton community also extends into the personal realm as she reaches out to bereaved families since the loss of her own son Zachary in 2010, just moments after his birth. Instead of retreating into her grief, Chute’s instinct was to encourage others who have experienced a similar loss. Apart from inspiring her own visual art, the experience saw her helping others use artistic expression as a way of coping with loss and becoming involved with recovery groups in the area along with speaking and teaching engagements.

“It’s my honor to give back to a place that has given me so much.”

Fabulous Media Coverage for The Quiet Rebuild

October 31, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Art Update, Artist in Residence, Gallery Openings, Photography Inspirations, Photography Update, Press & Media /by Alexis Marie Chute

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.