For immediate release: While COVID-19 forced the cancellation of ArtsFest 2020, the Lake of the Woods Arts Community (LOWAC) is taking steps to showcase regional artists using the popular Zoom platform. Online workshops, demonstrations, and performances will be offered at no charge through its Arts@Home program, which will commence on Wednesday, Sept. 30, when well-known local artist Irene McCuaig presents “Notan with watercolours.”
Leanne Fournier, Chair, LOWAC said, “As we watched one event after another being cancelled we knew the arts community was going to feel the pinch.” The LOWAC Board met and decided to revise their application to the Kenora & Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation, that had originally been to present ArtsFest at Harbourfest 2020. The new plan was to offer honourariums to local artists who would feature their work through online engagement with a Zoom audience. The application was successful and a Call to Artists was sent this spring. “We had an overwhelming response that showed us that we were onto something that our local artists wanted to be a part of,” Fournier said.
While there were many great applications the Board landed on nine presenters from different creative disciplines: visual, literary, vocal and performing arts. Coming up in the next few months are a two-part session, Notan with Watercolours, by Irene McCuaig, Inglenook Art Studio, September 30 and October 21, Mosaic Glass by Elizabeth Wires, Midnight Loon Glass, November 4 and 25, and a Christmas-themed radio play by Kenora Opera, Theatre and Beyond!, December 9.
The 2021 lineup, still being finalized, will feature visual artists Aimee Baldwin, Teresa Bowyer and Carol Vanasse, vocalists Olivia Whiddon and Sue McIntosh and writer Dave Schwartz.
Arts@Home is possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenora & Lake of the Woods Community Foundatoin.
More information and registration is available at https://lowac.ca/artshome.
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More information:
Leanne Fournier, Chair, LOWAC leanne@mightywrite.ca or 204-791-8652
OR lowacdirectors@gmail.com