WEAVERS, PARKS BOARD AND INVASIVE SPECIES
Pretty cool concept.. using invasive plant species in an urban park for weaving materials. Workshops run by native weavers and a celtic (Welsh) weaver in an unused caretakers building in a park, provided free to the artists in return for running free workshops and fostering local community engagement with the arts. (payment in kind)
http://theurbanweaverproject.wordpress.com/
http://theurbanweaverproject.wordpress.com/events/
WORKS FOR ALL?
A good use of these unused caretakers buildings. Definitely. However the artists need to work hard to pay off their free/in-kind studio space, with the required community workshops, since they also have to generate income outside those hours from their own artworks. Everyone still has to pay rent at home. Therefore best for collectives perhaps where the balance of work can be spread among a group rather than resting on one individual? Do these artists need day jobs to make this a workable scenario for them? Is this another example of artists 'paying' for the privilege of being artists? A free studio is s great thing however. I am not saying I am for or against... just noticing that these are all pilot projects and so it will be interesting to see if it works out well for all the interested parties.
JULY 9TH APPLICATION DEADLINE
The Vancouver Parks Board is currently accepting applications for 6 more unoccupied caretakers buildings, with a deadline on July 9th.
Elm Park
Falaise Park
Hadden Park
Slocan Park
Strathcona Park