Show & Tell: An Artist Showcase

Ever find yourself talking about an artist's work at an art show just between you and your friends but never actually knowing about the artist's actual insight to how they made that piece or what inspired them.

 Yes there are the artist bios you can read sometimes that you will find in a booklet that was at the door that you may or may not have picked up. Or yes, you may find the romance in the fact that that piece spoke to you as you saw it, not necessarily how the artist conceptualized it. But the beauty in the passion behind the artist's work is shown in a piece when an artist who is brave enough to present their work in front of a room of people. Now for most visual artists, this is their biggest fear. There art is what they like to display, not themselves. 

Show & Tell: An Artist Showcase is all of the above. For a year now, every month Calgary Art Group hosts a night that encourages an artist to get up on stage and talk about their piece. To share what inspired them to create it. What materials they used, because many times you would be surprised what they actually made that out of. And it is a chance for the audience to engage with the artist. Ask questions. To share their emotions they felt from what they see, and to be inspired on "How did you make that do that?". 

I myself as an artist am so interested by the intriguing comments I get from others interpretations of my work. Never insulted, because to each their own and what stood out to them. If anything inspired. 

This event runs just like Show & Tell did in elementary. You get up, share your item (your art piece) that you brought, you talk about it and then it's open for discussion. The night allows for 5 artists only, that way there is just enough time for each. 

I highly encourage you to attend one month to see what all the hype is about. If you are interested in sharing a piece yourself, please contact me at sabrina@sabrinamay.com. Artists showing are always pre booked. So contact me today to pre book for an up coming month. 

We encourage visual artists of all kinds, no experience needed, no history major needed, no pre sold pieces needed. Any level of artist is welcome to share a piece. It is always about the creation and not the "level" you are at to be able to show. So please don't feel intimidated that you may not be good enough to share yet, we have had those who have only ever created one piece in their entire life show and they were one of the artists who had the most conversation going.

I invite you to share a piece yourself or just come to enjoy the conversation.

Next Show & Tell is this coming Monday at our sponsored location, Cafe Koi, 1011 - 1 St SW at 8pm.

What are you plans for Monday, are you doing something culturally cool as this?

Your Art & Fashion Insider,
Sabrina May

ArtaWEARness XII WOWness

I can't wait to just go on about ArtaWEARness right now. I am still replaying the show I saw last night over and over in my head. What a delight to see such innovation by some very creative students. 

The ACAD students were told they couldn't put the show on in the ACAD lobby this year as they have held this event for many years in the past, wth the longest runway in Canada, but that didn't stop them and I am so glad it didn't as it is one of my favorite events to see every year. How could it not be, a fusion of fashion and art. Hello!


I am changing up my blog a little this year and being a little more raw with how I plan to write, meaning my photos may not be so amazing and my grammar... well I am not a writer lol. But it's with passion and "flare" that I love to share about the incredible talent I come across all the time. So mind the quality of the photos and ignore my grammer sometimes, because I am too excited to edit it and just enjoy the content for the reason I share all this with you, being a strong voice for the visual art scene. 


Let's start off with the opening act, Jessica Armstrong's piece... "Yellow Hysteria" ... OMG is what I have to say. It was a perfect choice to open to the night's show with and how the wallpaper concept was performed, Just incredible! A must see and words can't describe it. 

(Model Ashley Quan - A model and fabric artist herself)

Marlee Watts' "Legend of the Faun" gave us a show that I couldn't keep my eyes off of (hence the poor picture, I was too busy watching and not focusing on getting a picture, sorry). Just a beautiful piece that was so well styled/created and her jewelry was just the icing on the cake too. 

Oh and then.. Jennifer Sowtis & Cindy Santa created a piece that I literally tweeted "goosebumps and almost crying" because this piece literally was just that touching. "Just because you can't see it... Doesn't mean it's not important." A piece expressing Cindy's battle with Lupus which is a Auto-immune disease. The dresses and corsets acted as a metaphor, which we rely on our immune system to support us but then it turns against you much as illness and disease and ends up en casing you. Although She doesn't look sick, sometimes it is what you can't see is the most important thing. And the performance showed us just that. The hand crafted pieces made out of  steel rod I bent into a filigree pattern and welded into shape and the corsets made out resin, ribbons and lace. All by Cindy. 

I highly encourage you to watch for Paul's video of this piece, as it can truly touch anyone whether battling lupas or any other disease, this is touching and an outstanding message.

Now the "Cyberpunk Romance" by Tyler & Wade Ames and Jade Scholz piece may remind you slightly of a Starwars type vision but the story line shown in the costumes, choreography and the music all just made it come together so beautifully it didn't matter what it may have reminded you of, you were just so captivated by this story anyway! So well done! Loved it. 

Then when you think you have already seen the best, this years show was packed with too many to choose just one favorite. "Seduction of the Dark" hit the stage and ended with you gasping "wow". This piece by Kendra Jo and Steffi Lord was well designed, and just had your attention the entire time, intrigued with it's story of Betrayl, passion and revenge. The ending ... you could feel the heart that they ripped out. And so magically done too. So great. My niece and I talked about this one all the way to the car about how perfect that last scene brought you from "whoa violence" to "Oh wow, he just ripped her heart out". If only I caught a picture of that moment. 

If I had of gone Friday night I would have returned again to see this show the Saturday night too. Sad I only got to see it once. Looking forward to next year already. 

Your Calgary Art Insider,
Sabrina May


Did you attend the event? Which one grabbed your attention the most?