Movie Monday at Eric Martin Pavilion

6:30 pm Monday 7 December 2009
The Living Museum, 1998, 78 min
with a presentation by the Pandora Arts Collective and Yuri Arajs

The Living Museum is an art community in a downsized New York mental institution (Creedmoor Psychiatric Center) where every inch of the 40,000 square foot space is treated like a canvas. The Living Museum illuminates the life and work of artists who are patients and graduates of the Creedmoor. Dr. Janos Marton, charismatic director co-founder and seven of his patients/artists illustrate how it works and how art can be so necessary in the lives of many who are "afflicted " with mental illness.
Jessica Yu

By Academy Award winning filmmaker Jessica Yu (who transferred the film to DVD just for us!) The project is still, after 15 years, very much alive in NY, as our art programs are threatened. more and also see

"In the Living Museum, people are able to express themselves, to create something worthwhile - it's like going to a job. Karen Schechter, the Director of Community Relations, is part of an administration that is uniquely sensitive to and supportive of the artists in their midst. Recognizing how important an expressive outlet is for the recovery process, art is integrated into rehabilitation at Creedmoor. It is an important part of the treatment plans for both inpatients and outpatients."

CBC Radio's North by Northwest with Sheryl MacKay

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Sheryl MacKay for her show, North by Northwest, which air's Saturday and Sunday mornings on CBC Radio One. The show I am included in aired on November 22nd. It was about my work as a painter and the current show at View Art Gallery, which I am in. Check it. It's about 10 minutes long. Click on the word "listen" below.
Thanks for listening!

LISTEN

Ho Ho!

Opening today, Nov 6th, is a group show of 22 artists which I am included in. Some great artists, great work, and it's all small works which makes it affordable. Stop by View Art Gallery and check out the show which is up until the end of the year.

New work at View Art Gallery / Summer Salon

I have four new pieces in this show. Check it out!


View Art Gallery is pleased to announce "Summer Salon" a Group Show of 20 artists, August 7 to September 26. The exhibition opens on Friday, August 7 with a reception from 6-9pm. Artists in the show are Ronan Boyle, Corrie Alice, Blu Smith, Sheri Kasprow, Mary Anne Tateishi, Yuri Arajs, Fiona Ackerman, Laurie Rolland, Eve Leader, Deboragh Gainer, Denna Erickson, Katherine Surridge, Christian Nicolay, Lisa Birke, Paal Jomaas, Wayne Ngan, Michael Pittman, Elaine Savoie, Stefany Hemming and Jay Hanscom.

For more information, visit the gallery on-line at www.viewartgallery.ca

Latvian Song Festival Exhibition in Ontario

I'm happy to say that I have been selected to participate in the XIII Latvian Song Festival Exhibition at the Art Gallery of Hamilton in Ontario. The annual song festival is a highlight of Latvian culture.

In the show, I'll have two pieces. Both are cherry trees. The image posted is one of them.

And here is a short story about cherry tree's. My godfather, Dr. Lapin's, was the guy who created the Lapin's Cherry. It is a very strong, fleshy, sweet cherry. They are better than a Bing. The cool thing is that they were the first self fertilizing cherry tree!

The Art Gallery of Hamilton has this to say about the exhibition; "The Latvian Song Festival has been celebrated in Canada for over fifty years, continuing Latvian traditions in song and the arts. The festival exhibition of fine art is an intrinsic component of this cultural event. This juried exhibition of contemporary Canadian-Latvian artists’ work may be viewed as the echo and spirit of their past cultural heritage in modern-day Canada. Latvian-Canadians who settled in southwestern Ontario and other parts of Canada have generated an artistic community grateful for Canadian freedom and the many opportunities to contribute in our open society. This exhibition highlights the diversity and creativity of our artists."

Here are all the details:
Latvian-Canadian Art Exhibition
Art Gallery of Hamilton
June 27 - September 7, 2009
www.artgalleryofhamilton.com

I'm opening a new show at View Art Gallery on May 22nd

I have a new show opening on May 22nd at View Art Gallery in Victoria, BC. The show is called "Untitled (weather)" and is mostly new work all based on the weather. Lots of tornado's, rain and snow. The entire show will be available for viewing on the gallery website after the opening. Check it out at www.ViewArtGallery.ca

Buy/Collect: Arts Patronage in Minnesota: The Exhibition

This May, I will be curating a show with Robyne Robinson called Buy/Collect: Arts Patronage in MN. The show is based on Robyne's personal art collection and the importance of supporting artists. Check out the blog, BuyCollect.blogspot.com, and come out to see the show. It's going to be a great one. There's even going to be a catalog!

Galleries West Magazine preview

Thanks Galleries West Magazine for the nice preview of my upcoming show at View Art Gallery opening May 22nd. It's far enough out that you should be marking your calenders now. I am very excited about the show.
You can read the preview by clicking here.

Now accepting applications for the 2009 Yuri Arajs Artist Development Grant

The purpose of this grant is to give a visual artist an opportunity to have direct support from a professional visual arts curator and artist working in the arts community. This will allow the recipient to have one-on-one time to discuss their work critically, portfolio reviews, and plan how to promote their work.
Any artist living with a disability who lives in the USA or Canada is eligible to apply.
This is the third year of the Yuri Arajs Professional Development Artist Grant.

To apply, submit the following:
1. Six (6) or more images of your artwork. They can be digital images on a CD, photographs, prints, or slides. No original work will be accepted.
2. An artist bio / resume, which should include any artistic experience such as arts training and exhibition history.
3. A brief statement, no longer than one page, telling why you should receive this opportunity and how it will help you in your career as an artist.
4. A postage paid envelope for the return of submitted materials. If this is not supplied, no materials will be returned.
5. Applications should mailed directly to: View Art Gallery, Artist Development Grant, #104 – 860 View Street, Victoria, BC, V8W-3Z8, Canada

Recipient will receive:
1. $100 in art supplies, in the form of a gift card.
2. 500 Full color postcards with the artists work on it, for promotional use.
3. A studio visit or phone consult with Yuri Arajs, to be scheduled in 2009.

Important Dates:
April 1, 2009 Applications and all materials are due, or postmarked
April 30, 2009 Recipient will be announced.

Yuri Arajs is the only juror and will select the recipient of the grant. Decisions will be based solely on the artist’s application submission.

If you have any questions, please contact me directlys at yuri@yuriarajs.com

Thank you and I look forward to seeing what comes in this year!