Save the Date for a NaNoWriMo Write-In with the Canadian Authors’ Association in Edmonton

First of all, Happy Halloween! This spooky season is sure to ignite your creativity with haunting characters and unforeseen plot twists.

If you didn’t already know, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) starts tomorrow – November 1st. I want to invite local writers for a fun event coming up on November 15th. Save the date! This year I am helping coordinate a half day NaNoWriMo write-in with the Canadian Authors’ Association Alberta Branch in Edmonton – and the event is open to both members and the general public.

 

Here are the details:

 

NaNoWriMo

Goal: Write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Track your progress on the NaNoWriMo software and connect with other writers. You’ve had a novel idea in your head and now is the time to bring your story to life.

Check out the NaNoWriMo website for more information.

 

Canadian Author’s Association Write-In

Date: November 15, 2014

Location: Idylwylde Library, 8310 88 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta, (780) 496-1808

Time: Doors open at 12:20pm with event starting at 12:30pm. The event will conclude at 5:30pm.

Cost: FREE

Things to bring: a snack to share, friends (the event is open to everyone), and your pen and paper or laptop and charger.

Check out the Canadian Authors Association Alberta Branch website for more information.

 

Myself, along with the CAA Writing-Coach-in-Residence, Suzanne Harris, will encourage you as you find inspiration to get over the halfway hump of NaNoWriMo. Write alongside others also penning their novel (or just looking to get words out on the page) and find inspiration in the presence of shared struggles and successes.

It will be a day of breakthroughs in a focused community environment. Who said writing has to be a lonely endeavor? Short, facilitated breaks will give you motivation and energy to pound out the words.

Even if you are not participating in NaNoWriMo, come out and join in the fun and creative atmosphere.

I look forward to writing with you!

 

Happy Halloween & Reminder: Submit your Photography to InFocus YEG

The first month in our call for submissions for InFocus YEG is nearing an end. If you have submitted already, THANK YOU! If not, there is still time. Locate your best pictures and enter them here. Or, if you are inspired by the spooky season, head out with your camera and capture something new. We are excited to see what you have been working on!

Happy Halloween!

 

Other posts about InFocus Edmonton:

15 Days into our Call for Submissions and 15 Reasons Why You Need to Submit

Q&A To Help Prepare Your InFocus Edmonton Photography Submission

Hot off the Photographic Presses: The InFocus Edmonton Call for Submissions

Exposure Photography Festival Broadens its Scope to include all of Alberta

InFocus Edmonton Call for Submissions

InFocus Edmonton Submission Form

 

Current Exhibitions of Unfulfilled Precognition and The Quiet Rebuild

This is a busy season in so many ways! Right now, I have two exhibitions mounted; one in Red Deer and one in Edmonton. Here is some info about the two shows:

The Quiet Rebuild

This exhibit features nine large scale photographs of individuals rebuilding their life after challenging circumstances. They are pictures amongst natural wood and manufactured pieces along with an object donated to represent their struggle. The photographs are moving and contemplative. They are the first images in an ongoing series representing the resiliency of the human spirit.

Solo Exhibition: “The Quiet Rebuild” – Mezzanine Gallery

October 15 – December 14, 2014

Opening reception: TBD

Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, 10230-111 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, CAN

Click here to see more images from The Quiet Rebuild.

Unfulfilled Precognition

The photographs in this series were captured in the time leading up to and following my son’s death moments after his birth. The images are named to represent the extraordinary capacity for a mother to envision the life of her child, even before the baby is born, and how those dreams linger uninhabited once death interferes. The images are intimate and soulful, and are a unique bridge between documentary and fine art photography.

Solo Exhibition: “Unfulfilled Precognition” – Kiwanis Gallery

October 21 – November 23, 2014

Opening reception: November 7, 2014, 6:30-8:30pm

Gallery located in the Red Deer Public Library, 4818-49 Street, Red Deer, Alberta, CAN

Click here to see more images from Unfulfilled Precognition.

 

Visit Exhibits and Events to see info about upcoming shows and artist talks.

15 Days in to our Call for Submissions & 15 Reasons Why You Need to Submit

InFocus YEG is an open theme group exhibition that will proudly display the local talent of Edmonton and area photographers. The exhibit is open to professionals, armatures and students alike.

Here are 15 reasons you should submit to InFocus YEG:

(1) See your photography hung in the Annex of Harcourt House Artist Run Centre, one of Edmonton’s most important artistic hubs.

(2) Your work will be featured in Exposure Photography Festival, which is province-wide for the first time in history.

(3) Sell your work during InFocus and keep 100% of the earnings.

(4) Network with other photographers and professionals during the festival.

(5) Participate in this exciting group exhibition as a fun way to kick off 2015.

(6) Discover other image-makers in Edmonton and find a creative community.

(7) Have something cool to talk about on Facebook and Twitter other than what you had for breakfast (Although we’re sure it was delicious!).

(8) Snatch up a volunteer opportunity with InFocus to gain experience mounting and running an exhibition.

(9) Attend a rockin’ reception party on February 28, 2015 with live music, wine and yummy snacks (and invite your family and friends!).

(10) Have your work discussed for its merits and inclusion in the show during the Curator Talk on Saturday, February 28 at 6:30pm in the gallery.

(11) It’s easy to submit your work online through our no fuss submission form.

(12) Each photographer’s Artist Statement and CV will be displayed to educate all visitors about your work.

(13) Have a lasting keepsake in the printed InFocus program with each photographer featured.

(14) If you enter before October 24, you have the chance to have one of your images featured in the Exposure Photography Festival magazine-style catalogue to represent InFocus!

(15) Photography is awesome!

Submit to Infocus YEG here. Deadline November 30, 2014!

 

Women’s Art Museum Society of Canada – Sharing Her Experience Anthology

I received a lovely surprise in the mail last week from WAM Society (Women’s Art Museum Society of Canada). It was Volume 1, Issue 1 of their S.H.E. anthology, “Sharing Her Experience.”

I have two articles in the art publication:

“Art and the Canadian Landscape” – This piece is about the impact of natural cycles on artistic production, specifically for Canadians and more specifically for female artists.

– And –

“Her Threads: The Artistic Practice of Alexis Marie Chute” – In this piece I share about my process of thinking about my work, my approach to making art and how I order my creative space.

It is an honour to be included in WAM Society’s anthology!

 

Q&A to Help Prepare Your InFocus Edmonton Photography Submission

Is there a theme for InFocus?

There is no theme or categories for the exhibition. It is an open-theme show which means you may submit photographs of any subject you like. The goal of InFocus is to exhibit the best work by Edmonton and area photographers.

Is there a limit to the number of photographs I can submit?

No. You can submit as many photographic images as you’d like. The cost to enter is $10 per three images. If you want to enter more than three, you may do so in a subsequent entry.

Am I guaranteed to be included in the exhibition?

No. As the goal of InFocus YEG is to show the best work from our city and area, and also the fact that our space is limited, only a select number of photographs and photographers will be included. Even if your work is not selected, it may just mean we ran out of space and we strongly encourage you to submit again next year.

Who can submit to InFocus?

Anyone living in Edmonton or the surrounding communities may submit. The competition is open to professionals and amateur photographers, students and young people.

How will the photographs and photographers be selected?

InFocus is curated by Alexis Marie Chute, BFA, MFA candidate. She will select the images for inclusion from all submissions. She is looking for high quality photography that exhibits the talent and interests of our creative community.

Where will the photographs be displayed?

InFocus will be hung in the large multi-purpose room in the Annex building of Harcourt House Artist Run Centre.

Why is it important that InFocus is a part of Exposure Photography Festival?

Exposure 2015 is the first year that the festival is province-wide. In past, Exposure has only included Calgary, Banff and Canmore. As it is Edmonton’s first festival, it is important we celebrate our local talent and imagery.

When will the exhibition take place?

InFocus will be open to the public for viewing on Saturday, February 21, 2015 from 10am until 10pm. It will reopen to the public again on Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 10am until 5pm.

What is the deadline to submit to InFocus?

To be considered for the featured image to represent InFocus in the Exposure magazine, the deadline is OCTOBER 24, 2014. The call for submissions for InFocus will officially close on NOVEMBER 30, 2014. There will be no extended deadline. Please submit early.

What is the schedule of when photographers will be notified, and when I would need to drop off my work and pick it up?

Please see the official call for submissions page for the InFocus Edmonton Schedule.

Do I need to resize my files for submission?

Yes. Please see the InFocus Edmonton Technical Details on the official call for submissions page.

Does my photograph(s) need to be framed to be accepted?

Your images must be prepared in a professional manner for exhibition. What that means is that they need to be printed at a high quality and either framed or printed on canvas and stretched. All photographs must be wired for easy hanging. Any work accepted for the exhibition but then delivered without the above listed standards, will be disqualified from the exhibition.

What do you recommend for framing?

Professional framing is always best but professional quality consumer frames will also be accepted. There must be real glass, not plastic, used in the framing. Simple black frames with mated images are a classic way to present your photograph(s). Please note the type of framing/presentation method chosen when submitting your work.

How much mating should I have around my photographs?

The size of the mat is personal preference and also a consideration of style and impact. It can be visually catching to have a smaller image with a large mat, or no mat around a photograph in a simple frame, for example. Generally, a minimum of two inches of mat around an image will give the photograph room to breathe.

Do you accept mixed media art?

We will accept mixed media art as long as the primary medium is photography. If you have questions about your specific piece, please email Alexis Marie: info@alexismariechute.com

What size should I make my photographs for the exhibition?

This is up to you. If you are flexible regarding the size you print your image(s) for the exhibition, please note this in your submission form. Depending on space factors and the number of works to be shown, extremely large photographs may not fit – but this is where the curatorial magic comes in. At the end of the day, size your images to match your vision.

Why do I need to submit my CV and artist statement?

This information will be available for viewers of the exhibition. This information is often of interest to visitors wishing to purchase a photograph. Things to list on your artist CV that relate to you as a photographer: education, classes, exhibitions, publications, collaborations, memberships, volunteering, grants, etc. If you do not have anything to list in these categories – that’s okay! Maybe InFocus will be your first accolade on your new photography CV. If you do not submit a CV, that is totally fine.

What is important to include is your artist statement. This can be as short as a few sentences to a few paragraphs. In your artist statement you can talk about how you got interested in photography, how you take your photographs, why photography is important to you and the meaning behind your work.

Can I submit a series of photographs?

Yes. The whole series may be accepted or only one image depending on space.

Why is there a fee to submit?

InFocus is a 100% volunteer effort, a labor of love. The fee to submit your photographs goes to the practical aspects of mounting the exhibition. Such expenses include: listing the exhibition in the Exposure magazine, advertising the show, printing invitations and posters, venue insurance, reception party snacks and wine, and small printed programs for the show.

How do you accept payment?

PayPal.

Can I sell my photograph(s) displayed during InFocus?

Yes! One of the goals of InFocus is to support our local creative talent. All photographers will retain 100% of their sales. Volunteers will provide interested buyers with the photographer’s contact information and purchase details.

How can I volunteer for InFocus?

InFocus has many volunteer opportunities including: hanging and striking the show, distributing the call for submissions and exhibition posters, manning the show, and setting up for and clean up after the reception, for example. If you would like to sign up to volunteer, first of all: THANK YOU! Please contact Alexis Marie to be added to our volunteer list: info@alexismariechute.com

How should I price my photograph(s)?

This is a personal decision. Some things to consider: printing costs, framing costs and your own value as a photographer (your worth should never be underestimated!). Think about what price you are comfortable selling your work? Please do not value your work too low. If your photography is accepted into InFocus, you may discuss the price with the curator at that time.

What should I list for the date and medium of my photographs?

The date should be listed as the year the image was made. The medium can be something to the effect of “Photograph” or “Photograph on aluminum” or “Mixed-medium Photograph” or “Giclée print” for example.

What is the Curator Talk?

At 6:30pm on Saturday, February 21, 2015, curator Alexis Marie Chute will discuss the ideas and importance behind InFocus Edmonton as well share about the photography and photographers selected for the show.

When is the reception party taking place?

Following the Curator Talk on Saturday, February 21, 2015, InFocus will host a reception and Exposure Photography Festival party. There will be live music, snacks and drinks. If you would like an invitation to the reception party, please send your mailing address to info@alexismariechute.com. All photographers are encouraged to attend and invite their family and friends. It is going to be a great night!

 

If you have questions not addressed here, please email info@alexismariechute.com and you will receive timely answers. Odds are that if you are wondering, others are as well.

Best wishes for submitting to InFocus Edmonton! We look forward to seeing your work!

Click here to read the InFocus YEG Call for Submissions.

Click here to submit to InFocus YEG!

Follow us on Twitter: @infocusYEG

 

 

Hot off the Photographic Presses: The InFocus Edmonton Call for Submissions!

On October 1st we launched the Call for Submissions for InFocus Edmonton, or InFocus YEG for short. The submission deadline is November 30, but with Thanksgiving and Halloween in between, the time will slip away quickly. Rummage through your negatives or digital files to find your best images and submit them here!

InFocus YEG strives to exhibit the amazing local talent of Edmonton and area at Harcourt House Artist Run Centre during the month of February 2015 as a part of Exposure Photography Festival. This is the first year that Exposure is province wide and the first time ever Edmonton is included in the creative festivities.

InFocus is an amazing opportunity to exhibit your work in a professional space with province-wide recognition. Plus, we are going to have a rockin’ reception party with a chance to celebrate the photographers that make our city and area distinct.

As a special incentive to enter early, the photograph for the magazine-style Exposure Photography Festival catalogue will be chosen from the images submitted before October 24, 2014! This is a huge opportunity to have your work seen across the province – and likely the country! Don’t wait to submit!

To learn more about InFocus YEG and how to enter your photos, click here.