As part of our ongoing Respondent Series, on Wednesday, May 23, 7pm Art City Directors, Eddie Ayoub and Josh Ruth will speak about the history and mandate of Art City, one of Canada’s most dynamic and exciting community art centres.
We are hosting this presentation and discussion about Art City within the context of our current exhibitions Shit-Baby and the Crumpled Giraffe by Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa, and Białystok by Przemek Pyszczek to respond to shared themes of youth and childhood. Within Ramírez-Figueroa’s installation, themes of child psychology and its embodiment are explored in his sculptural installation and video. And in Białystok by Pyszczek sculptural forms evoke unstructured play that reference early childhood playgrounds. For this talk, Ayoub and Ruth will give an overview of the history and programming of Art City addressing their approach to youth education and community art programming, thinking about how play can be a radical tool for education, community development, confidence and self-empowerment.
Founded in the West Broadway neighbourhood in 1998 by Contemporary artist Wanda Koop, Art City was created and runs on the premise that “community art programming should be accessible to all”. With a focus on children and youth, Art City runs free programming six days a week. Each day has a specific focus including film photo, ceramics and digital arts; Wednesday is the drawing club, and Saturdays are dedicated to Indigenous arts practices. Guest artists come from Winnipeg, Canada, and abroad to facilitate specialized workshops renewing the interests of artists and youth, while local facilitators also create larger-scale projects that build over a period of a week or a month. Every spring, staff and youth organize a much anticipated parade. A spectacle for the whole neighbourhood, with children and adults moving through the streets holding balloons, wearing masks and elaborate costumes, riding floats or holding banners. Art City is an exciting presence in Winnipeg that stimulates the imagination and activates the city.
All public programming is free and open to the public. Everyone welcome!
REMAINING ASSOCIATED PROGRAMMING
Sunday, June 10 | 3pm
Interpreting [Interrupting] Youth screening and panel discussion
Date: TBD
Respondent Series: Play As Radical Practice Toolkit
REMAINING GUIDED TOUR
Sábado, 26 de mayo | 15h
Visita guiada en español con Francesca Carella Arfinengo
Plug In ICA extends our gratitude to our artists, generous donors, valued members and dedicated volunteers. With special thanks to our Director’s Circle. You make a difference!
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council and Winnipeg Arts Council.
Plug In ICA relies on community support to remain free and accessible to all. Enable us to continue presenting excellent programs! Please consider becoming a member of Plug In ICA and a donor at https://plugin.org/supportor by contacting Angela Forget: angela@plugin.org
For media inquiries please contact: Sarah Nesbitt: sarah@plugin.org or (204)942-1043.
