Thanks to this month’s feature member artist – Tersoo Tsevende – for allowing us to profile his work in our May newsletter.
Good news!
The deadline to apply to perform at ArtsFest 2023 has been extended to May 31. We pay performers to share their talents with our community! Apply at lowac.ca/call-for-artists-artsfest-2023.
If you missed it…We’ve hired our event coordinator!
We are thrilled to announce that Shauna DeGagné (she/her) has been hired for our 2023 Event Coordinator. Shauna will work with LOWAC’s board, volunteers, event participants, and community partners to optimize relationships and deliver on all project goals related to activities over summer 2023. She will be the lead contact for ArtsFest 2023.
Shauna worked at the Kenora Daily Miner & News as a journalist after graduating from Humber College in 2000. In the 20+ years since, she has traveled Europe, lived in the UK, had three sons, gotten married, and worked in adult education, as an elementary school librarian, and a freelance writer. In the summer of 2021, she wrote a series of articles about Kenora artists for the Lake of the Woods Cottage Guide. Shauna also writes short fiction, creative nonfiction, and maybe something resembling poetry. She enjoys acting and her most recent appearance was on the Trylight stage in Helium, alongside her then nine-year old son. Shauna was the Contest Coordinator for the 2023 Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW). She lives with her family on Treaty #3 Territory, with a small lake in front and the forest behind.
Shauna can be reached at lowaccoordinator@gmail.com.
ArtsFest 2023
Plans are well underway for ArtsFest 2023, scheduled for Saturday, July 15, 2023 on The Muse grounds at 224/300 Main Street South in downtown Kenora.
One of the gifts of ArtsFest is a reminder that art matters and the powerful effect it has on the well-being of everyone in our community. Our goal is to spread the love with an amazing lineup of exhibitors and performers and the opportunity for art enthusiasts of all ages to discover something new and maybe even get their hands “painty” with a new artistic discovery. Free hands-on artist demonstrations will be happening throughout the day along with a lively KIDZONE, facepainting, and more. While admission is free, donations will be gratefully accepted to help LOWAC continue to fulfill its mission through events like ArtsFest, our scholarships, and other programming.
T-Shirt sponsor needed
We are looking for a sponsor to help offset the cost of the ArtsFest 2023 volunteer t-shirts. We are offering this opportunity to 1 or more sponsors so the price will breakdown depending on how many sponsors (to a maximum of 3) we get. Sponsor logos will be printed on the back of the t-shirts worn by our 50 plus volunteers, so highly visible during ArtsFest . The sponsor logo/name will also be added to all of our advertising and marketing including newspaper, radio, social media, media releases, posters and signage. If you are interested or know a great business who would like to support the arts email lowaccoordinator@gmail.com.
If we are successful getting a sponsor, a number of t-shirts will be available for sale in addition to being given free to ARTSFEST 2023 volunteers.
Graphic design artist found!
Local graphic design artist Tersoo Tsevende has come forward to offer graphic design services for ArtsFest 2023. He will be adding his unique artistic touch to our volunteer t-shirts and other marketing materials, including potentially, a refreshed ArtsFest logo. Stay tuned!
Volunteers needed
Thanks to those who have already responded to help out with ArtsFest planning but we need many more hands and would love to have you join us – in particular we are looking for someone to head up our KIDZONE and be the leads for site setup/takedown and volunteer coordination as well as fundraising.
If you’d like to join this fun gang, email lowaccoordinator@gmail.com.
LOWAC is also looking for volunteers to be involved in other activities and fundraising, which is essential to make events like ARTSFEST, Arts@Home and other LOWAC initiatives possible. We are also
looking for sponsors who will help fund some of the programming costs so if you have any connections there we’d love to hear from you!
Coney Island Music Festival
Coney Island Music Festival will be happening on Coney Island on Sunday, July 30, 2023. We have been invited to open the call to LOWAC members who would like to attend and set up to exhibit and sell your art. LOWAC will be providing face painting as a fundraiser, but due to our current resources, we cannot provide tents, tables or transportation. It is preferred if you arrange your own transportation via boat or the shuttle but there will likely be space on the music festival shuttle that will transporting music festival performers from the Discovery Centre throughout the day.
Please copy, paste and fill out the details below and email to lowaccoordinator@gmail.com by Friday, June 7, 2023!
Your Name:
Telephone:
Email address:
Website or social media links:
Please describe your medium, Ex: Painting, Sculpture, jewelry, writing
Size of artwork/how many pieces will you be bringing?
Will you have a table_________ chairs________ tent/covering ___________
Can you arrange your own transportation?
Do you require transportation?
Patron of the Arts
We have introduced a new opportunity to support LOWAC’s activities by becoming a Patron of the Arts. If you wish to make a donation of $100 or more, we will list you on our Membership page and through announcements (with your permission) on social media and other recognition opportunities. These contributions will go toward LOWAC’s ongoing operations, scholarships and programming. Get the details at https://lowac.ca/membership.
Special thanks to our first to “patrons” Susan Bulman and Susan Glass!
Susan M. Bulman (Shester) – Multimedia Artist
“When I moved to Kenora 8 years ago I was pleased to see there was an opportunity to get involved in a community organization that supported the arts. I was involved on the board and as a volunteer for most of this time. As well I participated in the festivals where I had an opportunity to show and sell my art as well as enjoying the talent of others. It is wonderful to see that LOWAC has a strong direction once again with dedicated new board members – and an important connection to the new Douglas Family Art Centre. I am happy to support the growth of the Art community in Kenora with a financial contribution to LOWAC. “
Susan Glass – Supporter
“I choose to support because the arts (visual and performing) can be the heart of any community. Just look at what the new Douglas Family Arts Centre has done for Kenora!”
Membership fees
LOWAC’s membership fees help us fulfill our mandate to foster and promote the spirit of creativity in the City of Kenora and the surrounding area of Lake of the Woods; inspiring unity, joy and opportunity through the arts. If you haven’t already renewed, your is now due and will expire in December 2023. We are grateful for your continued support. It’s how we offer programming, scholarship and operate in the community with additional support from grants. Our Board has made the decision to raise our membership fees to $30 for 2023, the first increase in over a decade!
You can update your membership now using our handy PayPal option, or mail your $30 cheque payable to Lake of the Woods Arts Community to: PO Box 10002 Harbour Postal Outlet, Kenora ON P9N 4T1.
Member Feature – Tersoo Tsevende – Graphic Design Artist
Tersoo Tsevende is an African, theatre, song writing, rap, music producing, graphic designing artist with a sweet tooth. Tersoo grew up in Nigeria, West Africa, and now resides in Lake of the Woods, Kenora, Ontario, Canada. He loves being creative and exploring the art of manipulating design elements to communicate effectively. He creates digital and traditional sketches using paper, ink, and paint.
The IBOJU Project is a collection of images depicting futuristic robots/machines wearing African Masks. They are born out of rich African culture, love for technology and inspiration from the Afrofuturism Movement, attempts to inspire society to better represent the black community as innovators and also as important contributors to the global technology industry.
Tersoo will have images from the IBOJU Collection, as well as work from other projects, available for purchase at ArtsFest on July 15.
In addition to spending time with his beautiful family and his art, Tersoo is a community consultant with Kenora Association for Community Living.
If you’d like to be a Featured Artists in a LOWAC newsletter, send along 300 words or so with some photos and your contact information for lowacdirectors@gmail.com!
Art, art and more art!
The 2023 Sioux Narrows Arts Festival features 50 unique regional artists who celebrate the culture and natural beauty of Northern Ontario through their work. Meet them all in Sioux Narrows on the August Long Weekend.
