Artist in Residence #1 September 26-29, 2022

Be the Change you Want to See with Christine Mackenzie

Christine Mackenzie of the Kwakiutl Nation is a First Nations Artist and Facilitator. Her mother was born in Bella Coola, BC, and is a part of the Eagle Clan. Her mother was a part of the Sixties Scoop and because of that Christine had a hard time trying to find her culture and identity, but through resilience and training she found a way back to her Indigenous roots. Christine works with traditional/contemporary design and in multiple mediums.

Christine was mentored by Anastasia Henry, Haida elder, artist and facilitator. Christine now helps others on their journey with self-identity, indigenous culture, artwork, protocols, truth and reconciliation. Christine speaks only to her life experience to inform her teachings and supports others to facilitate empathy when working with or learning about Indigenous culture. Visit her website sneakynativeart.com to see more of her work.

Workshop Description

We are all at different points of our journey regarding Indigenous history and are learning about current issues that many communities still face. Whether it be from a space of healing or understanding, we can benefit from coming together with other members of our community to expand our knowledge. During this workshop, you’ll learn from First Nations Artist and facilitator Christine Mackenzie in an uplifting environment and help create a mural of a butterfly’s life cycle that will be on display. Participants will be able to choose which stage of the life cycle they would like to colour and what medium they would like to use. The butterfly represents change and growth which reflects the journey of Truth and Reconciliation.

Artist in Residence #2 November 20 – December 2, 2022

Community Engaged Art Project with Mariana Frochtengarten

I am a textile artist and art teacher, with almost thirty years of a career dedicated to the resist dyeing methods of Batik and Shibori, and the universe of fibres. I have practised Batik on fabric and on paper for 17 consecutive years and the other years were mostly dedicated to Shibori. In the last few years, I have been also fascinated by the world of stamping and printing, which I love to combine with dyed surfaces. I have a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Education, a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts/Textiles and a Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy. I combine all my studies and work experiences in my teachings, transferring my knowledge while fostering students’ creativity, imagination, and their search for individual languages. I have worked with people of all ages and backgrounds as a mixed-media art teacher and as a textile art teacher, offering short and long programs in a variety of settings and class formats. I love leading community projects and facilitating collective artwork, helping people to connect through art and the unique qualities of textiles.

Workshop Description

This workshop will help build our community-engaged art project called Weaving Stories Together in celebration of our 50th anniversary! The project will embody our 50th-anniversary mission to celebrate Place des Arts voices through creative connection, storytelling and joy. Contribute to this art project by taking part in a free, fun, all-ages art activity at Place des Arts. This is a textile-based project that aims to bring the community together.  Participants will connect and interact through textile art as they add personal stories, hopes and dreams to the piece. As unique and diverse lives intersect, the story changes; it becomes richer and as a community, we grow stronger.