Where did October go?! It’s grant writing season and LOWAC has been busy applying for funding for ArtsFest 2024. We are planning a two-day festival in July, 2024, to take advantage of some funding opportunities that require our event to be more than one day. Applications have been sent to the Canadian Heritage Fund and Ontario Arts Council. Our deepest thanks to Olivia Whiddon who stepped up to assist with the OAC grant!
Our grant proposals once again include hiring an event coordinator to lead all planning activities and work with community partners and sponsors to make ArtsFest the best it can be. We will hopefully be able to have this person in the role by mid-February so watch for the call for applications! Additionally, we are seeking funding to pay the exhibiting artists and performers, tent and sound system rentals, art supplies for our lively KidZone and more!
We are looking for people who want to be part of the planning committee for various roles but one we know we need to fill earlier vs. later is our KidZone Coordinator. KidZone is a highlight of ArtsFest offering both free time and planned activities. Our goal for KidZone in 2024 is to offer more environmentally friendly activities. If you would like to help out or have any ideas, email lowacdirectors@gmail.com.
Many thanks to the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Community Foundation who have awarded LOWAC a $10,000 Dream Fund grant for ArtsFest 2024.
Annual General Meeting
LOWAC’s 2023 Annual General Meeting is planned to occur via Zoom, Tuesday, November 28, at 7 p.m.. We’ve decided to do a Zoom meeting to accommodate members outside of Kenora and the potential of winter driving conditions. We’ve found conducting a hybrid meeting (live and Zoom) is difficult for those joining online as we are a little too low tech! We look forward to “seeing” you!
Pre-registration is required. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrfu6przwjEtEPAmB8AJajyOehPAKKMAqr
Call for Board Members
We can only continue to fulfill our mission “to foster and promote the spirit of creativity in the City of Kenora and the surrounding area of Lake of the Woods” with a strong, dedicated Board and volunteers. Staging events like ArtsFest and ongoing fundraising through grants and events requires more hands on deck! LOWAC’s future is in jeopardy without some new Board members to continue to assist with our activities. We hope you will consider making a small donation of your time and energy to help us to continue this important work in the community. Many hands make lighter work!
We are looking for a new President, Vice-President and Membership Chair.
This is an exciting time to become an officer or director with LOWAC! Leanne Fournier, who has served as president for four years, needs to step back for personal reasons, but is planning to stay on the Board to offer guidance for a new candidate and to continue with grant writing and communications. Carolyne Lynch, is also retiring as Membership Chair but will be continuing as the coordinator the Paterson Clinic art exhibition. We would consider combining the President and Vice-President roles into a shared role between two officers (Co-President) if that’s a more attractive option.
You don’t need to be a practicing artist for any of these roles!
With the support of the Board and some well-established processes, all you need is a passion for the arts and a willingness to contribute a few hours a month during the regular season, with some additional hours prior to ArtsFest or other planned events and activities.
Directors needed too!
If you don’t wish to be an officer but would still like to play a role, there is a spot for you! Directors attend monthly board meetings, share ideas, take on tasks as needed, and have voting rights on matters put before the Board.
This is a great opportunity to gain some experience in arts advocacy and promotion and is open to anyone of any age or experience.
Officer terms are three years. Nominations are required in advance of our Annual General Meeting, scheduled for November but can be made at the meeting as well.
You can read more about our current Board of Directors and the responsibilities of officer roles at lowac.ca/board-of-directors.
If you are interested in any of these roles email president@lowac.ca.
We need you!
Membership Renewals are now due
It is also the time that we invite you to renew your LOWAC membership renewals. Current memberships expire at the end of December 2023. Your renewed membership will expire in December 2024.
We have noticed that a number of long-term members have not renewed in the past years, which is disappointing. Membership helps fund programming like ArtsFest and strengthens the organization as a whole.
Membership is $30. Please renew now so that you don’t miss:
- Receiving LOWAC information so you won’t miss out on events going on within LOWAC and our community.
- Participating in LOWAC events, including the increasingly popular ArtsFest.
- Keeping abreast of the latest Art Community news in Kenora. We are always looking for ways to help artists to reach out, via Facebook & Instagram, our website or even using the Tilley display board.
Your membership can be renewed at our AGM on Nov. 28 (cheque is preferred but we will have our Square there so can do that way), via our website at lowac.ca/membership.
Membership renewals can also be mailed to:
LOWAC
Box 10002
Harbour Postal Outlet
Kenora, Ontario
P9N 4T1
Once renewed, you are welcome to send us a updated artist profile for posting at: lowac.ca/artist-profiles-and-venues.
Please ensure that your contact information and email address are up to date. Email is our primary method of providing information to our membership. Send any updates to lowacdirectors@gmail.com.
Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates, calls for artists and other information of interest for and about our vibrant arts community.
Paper Making with Ann Puddicombe – Moon in June Studio
Sunday, November 19th
1 to 4 p.m.
CA$100.00
Register at www.mooninjunestudio.com
Join visiting artist, Ann Puddicombe of Coal Room Arts, at Moon In June Studio for a workshop where you’ll learn how to make stunning one-of-a-kind sheets of paper using recycled paper pulp.
Flower petals, pieces of book pages and bits of colourful string are some of the inclusions you can choose to play with while creating your paper.
Each sheet you create to take home will be beautifully unique with a rustic feel. You may use your paper to create cards, notes, or even little journals just in time for Holiday gift-giving!
About the artist
Ann lives in Dryden, Ontario. She works with paper, hand-produced in small batches from recycled, found and natural items, to produce 3-D and flat interpretive pieces that tell a story and highlight the various values and attributes of the resulting paper medium. Ann also uses her artistic talents to create unique logos and educational pieces for organizations.
Join the Moon In June mailing list or register for a workshop at www.mooninjunestudio.com
DOUGLAS FAMILY ART CENTRE
DECK THE HALL – November 25 to December 22
DECK THE HALL is a community exhibition and sale of festive ornaments that will decorate the upper hall of the Douglas Family Art Centre.
Ornaments may be made of any material and will be available for sale at $20.00 plus tax with each sale giving $15.00 back to the creator.
Celebrate community creativity and the season! Come see the full collection and get first pick at the opening reception November 25th at 1:00pm. No holds!
Interested in participating? Fill out the form at themusekenora.ca/exhibit/deck-the-hall!
