Artist Talks: Alli Johnston & Nicole Travers – VANL CARFAC Mentorship Program 2022

VANL-CARFAC is pleased to present the first of two installments of artist talks by the participants in our 2021-22 Mentorship Program. Please join us via Zoom on September 19th at 8pm, where Alli Johnston and Nicole Travers will discuss their work, their practices, and their experiences with the mentorship program. Please sign up through eventbrite and a link to join will be sent prior to the event.

Alli Johnston is visual artist based in Ktaqamkuk ( Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.) Of settler descent, she was born and raised in southern Ontario, the traditional territories of the Attawondaron. She moved to Corner Brook in 2001 & now splits her time between her homes in Corner Brook, Exploits Islands & on Fogo Island, the traditional territories of the Mi’kmaq and Beothuk people.

Alli’s multi-disciplinary art practice focuses on her sense of place as well as her connection with and responsibility to nature.

Nicole Travers is a Mi’kmaw woman & artist, born and raised in the small hamlet of Little Port, Elmastukwek, Ktaqmkuk. She is a self taught beader who started practicing just after the birth of her first child in 2015. Nicole always admired the intricate detailed beadwork of her Mi’kmaq ancestors that is now located in museums. Life had taken Nicole to Alberta for several years but returned to her hometown with her partner to raise their two girls. Nicole felt it was imperative that her children be raised with the same relationship with traditions, culture, and land as she. For Nicole, creating art is a process of remaining connected to nature and finding the natural flow of each piece. By following her intuition, visions, and dreams it often allows her to see the completed piece prior to it’s completion.

The VANL-CARFAC Mentorship Program was created to provide opportunities for productive and supportive relationships between established professional artists and artists wishing to develop and enhance their practice. The mentors provide one on one encouragement, advice, information and resources to mentees, who are aiming to achieve specific professional goals. Funding for The program was drawn from the $120,000 Art in the Time of COVID fund established by ArtsNL to help the Newfoundland and Labrador arts community during the COVID-19 crisis


Shortlists Announced for the 2022 Excellence in Visual Arts Awards

ST. JOHN’S, NL:  The sixteenth annual Excellence in Visual Arts Awards will take place on June 10th at The Rooms, St. John’s, Newfoundland. The EVA Awards are the only awards program solely dedicated to celebrating the visual culture of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This year’s EVA Awards jury reviewed submissions from across the province, representing a wide spectrum of artistic mediums and styles.  Below are the short lists for three of the five awards – the winners of the Endurance Award (Prize $2000) and Mary MacDonald Award (Prize: $1000 and an artwork by  Shawn O’Hagan — Sponsored by Perfect Day) will be announced at the EVA ceremony. 

 

The Emerging Artist Award honors the promising start made by an emerging visual artist in the early stages of their career. Prize: $2000

      The Emerging Artist Award Shortlist

       Emily Critch

       Margie Lewis

       Nasim Makaremi Nia 

 

The Milestone Award celebrates a visual artist who has, in the last calendar year, achieved a significant milestone in their career, through exhibition or presentation, a breakthrough in their practice, or new and innovative exploration.   Sponsored by Lat49 Architecture.  Prize: $2000

     The Milestone Award Shortlist

       Emily Pittman

       Nelson White

 

The Critical Eye Award recognizes a visual arts writer for an exceptional piece of writing on a NL artist in any print or online publication worldwide.  Sponsored by Christina Parker Gallery.  Prize: $2000. 

     The Critical Eye Award Shortlist

      Mireille Eagan
     
      Emily Pittman 
 
      Ossie Michelin

 

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Program Coordinator, Em Nowlan at vanlcarfac@gmail.com or 709-738-7303

The EVA Awards are a Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador (VANL-CARFAC) initiative.


VANL-CARFAC Now Accepting Nominations for 2022 Excellence in Visual Arts Awards!

NOMINATION DEADLINE EXTENDED: MAY 16TH 2022

All artists and art lovers in the province are encouraged to submit nominations for the 2022 Excellence in Visual Arts Awards

There are five categories for this year’s ceremony.  

The Endurance Award for lifetime achievement; the Milestone Award, for an artist who has had an exceptional year; the Emerging Artist Award; the Mary MacDonald Award, which recognizes an individual or organization who has helped the growth of the sector; and the Critical Eye Award, which recognizes a visual arts writer for an exceptional piece of writing on an NL artist in any print or online publication worldwide.

 Cash prizes of $2000 are attached to the awards, except the Mary MacDonald Award, whose recipient receives $1000 and an original work of art.

Applications must be received or postmarked by May 16th 2022. Application forms and full rules can be found here.

As the only awards program solely dedicated to celebrating the achievements of Newfoundland and Labrador’s visual artists, the EVA Awards recognizes excellence province-wide.

For more information about the EVA Awards, please contact us at 1-877-738-7303 or vanlcarfac@gmail.com.


Employment Opportunity: Program Coordinator – VANL-CARFAC (RE-POST)

 

Organization: Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador (VANL-CARFAC)

Position: Program Coordinator  

 

 

 

Qualifications

  • Some experience or specific interest in arts advocacy/policy/administration.
  • Organized, deadline oriented and a self starter.
  • A visual arts related degree from a post secondary institution is an asset but is not required to apply.

Job Description:

VANL-CARFAC is the primary umbrella advocacy organization for the visual arts sector in Newfoundland and Labrador and as a member’s-based group, VANL-CARFAC’s official motto is “artists working for artists.”   

The program coordinator will be tasked with maintaining the VANL-CARFAC office and will serve as the primary contact for members and for non-member artists and organizations.  In this capacity the coordinator will be required to address individual concerns of artist members, locate and dispense the information and resources they may need and/or filter appropriate calls/emails to the Executive Director, the board or committee chairs.

 In addition the Program Coordinator is responsible for (but not limited to) the following duties:

  • producing the weekly E-Bulletin highlighting exhibitions, gathering news from the visual arts sector, residencies and job opportunities, and sending it to the VANL membership.
  • Bi-weekly bookkeeping, processing memberships and keeping the artist member databases current.
  • email membership/information packages to new members.
  • co-ordinate with the Executive Director and Board of Directors on all events and programming for the organization as they occur over the course of the year: including the Excellence in Visual Arts Awards, annual general meeting, board meetings, Professional Development workshops, Artist Talks, etc. and work with necessary committees to actualize all details of these programs.
  • maintain updated media, gallery and patron contact lists as well as artist’s websites.
  • Managing mail orders and memberships
  • Maintaining the VANL office
  • Managing VANL’s website and social media and overseeing member communications.

Skills

  • Ability to self-direct and set ongoing goals and objectives, as well as, ability to work with board of directors, committees and staff
  • Good communication skills
  • Some familiarity with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MailChimp, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, WordPress will be considered an asset

This position is 30 hours a week.

Salary: $25,750

Starting Date: May 2nd

VANL-CARFAC Employees receive a contribution to the cost of a basic health and dental plan; two weeks vacation time; and two weeks professional practice time annually.

Deadline for application: April 18th 2022

Please include references with your resume

For more information, or to email a resume and cover letter contact: vanlcarfac@gmail.com or call (toll free) 1-877-738-7303   .

Resumes/Cover letters can also be mailed or delivered in person to:

Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador (VANL-CARFAC)  

155 Water St. 

St. John’s, NL      

A1C 1B3