Registration for the Creative Jam 2011, presented by the Prince Rupert Community Arts Council, is drawing nearer. The Jam will be taking place on Friday, February 10, and running until Sunday, February 12, at the Lester Centre of the Arts, and will help inspire participates in their medium of choice.
“Our aim for the Creative Jam is to make experienced facilitators accessible for the participants... Where they can experience the creative process,” explained this year’s Creative Jam organizer, Mariana Hulsen.
The Creative Jam will guide participants through a process of learning through active creativity in four realms of expression: music, creative writing, photography and visual arts. Each artistic area will have an experienced facilitator to assist partakers.
The Music facilitator will be North Coast musician Sgaalanglaay Gaamdamaay (Vernon Williams Jr.). Gaamdamaay is a traditional songs composer, who works musically with youth in Masset.
Vancouver’s own Michelle Barker, who is a poet, fiction and non-fiction writer, freelance editor, and more, will be the creative writing facilitator. Barker studied English literature at UBC, with a year aboard at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and will be featured in this year’s anthology of Best Canadian Poetry to be published by Tightrope Books.
The photography facilitating will be done by Mike Ambach, who shoots in both digital and film, however he admits having a “soft spot for the magic of film”. Ambach previously studied in fine arts and environmental studies.
Local artist Nicole Rudderham will be the Visual Arts facilitator. Rudderham uses a variety of mediums in her work, including acrylics, oils, watercolour and chalk pastels. Rudderham is familiar with assisting folks with their art, as she hosts classes and workshops in her downtown studio.
After the weekend concludes, there will be a public presentation happening at the Lester Centre.
People wishing to take part in the Creative Jam must pre-register before Friday, February 3, in one of the four areas. After the first workshop partakers are allowed to change disciplines if space is available.
The PRCAC have secured funding in order to subsidize the Creative Jam weekend and make it as affordable as possible for participants. There will be a fee for registration, but persons facing financial difficulties may apply to have the fee waived. Registration forms can be downloaded here.