WCAC Blog

TheRecord - Daisy Rockwell to discuss painting international...

2012-01-18T22:47:00.000-05:00

TheRecord - Daisy Rockwell to discuss painting international...

TheRecord - Waterloo Print Studio opens doors

2011-12-05T19:26:00.000-05:00

TheRecord - Waterloo Print Studio opens doors

People's Choice Award 2011

2011-11-09T18:26:00.000-05:00

People’s Choice winner for WCAC Annual Juried Show 2011
is Diana Erb’s painting, “Emerald City”.

Sarnia Winter Artwalk | Call for Vendors

2011-11-07T12:09:00.001-05:00

If you are a merchant or a vendor and want to have a booth this year at Sarnia Winter Artwalk register this week.

LINK

Making Money From Art - Identify Your Products

2011-10-05T10:11:00.000-04:00

Making Money From Art - Identify Your Products

Some valuable tips for those who wish to get into the "business" of making art.

Waterloo Print Studio

2011-09-06T14:46:00.000-04:00

Possibility Party

2011-07-11T15:10:00.001-04:00

Article in Waterloo Chronicle

TheRecord - Playwright centre celebrates Trillium grant

2011-06-26T11:56:00.000-04:00

TheRecord - Playwright centre celebrates Trillium grant

IMAGE 2011 Photography Exhibition Call for Entry

2011-06-14T14:07:00.001-04:00

Call for entry: Ends June 24, 5PM

Drop off work: July 4, 2PM-6PM

Show: July 6-28

Reception: July 8

Registration forms can be picked up and dropped off at the Button Factory.

Details can be found on the registration form or the Facebook event page.

Registration form (pdf)

Currys Charitable Art Auction

2011-05-18T10:44:00.002-04:00

Currys will be holding a Charitable Art Auction in October.

This fall, we are holding an Art Auction to showcase inspiring Canadian artistic talent and at the same time, help raise awareness and funds for Dystonia, a neurological movement disorder. Dystonia has affected a signifigant number of musicians & artists, making it a cause close to our hearts.

Three methods are being planned including a live auction, silent auction and an online sale. They are accepting all styles of drawing, painting and printmaking.

For more info see Currys website.

ARTifact[ory] | Call for Entry

2011-04-15T09:04:00.000-04:00

an artistic and historic collaboration celebrating Waterloo's architectural heritage

featuring Button Factory Artists

September 14, 2011 to February 24, 2012

Proposals are now being accepted for participation in the upcoming exhibition at the
City of Waterloo Museum.

ARTifact[ory] is a first-time collaborative exhibition between the City of Waterloo Museum and the Waterloo Community Arts Centre at the Button Factory. We are seeking artists who work in various mediums to celebrate Waterloo’s architectural heritage through their one-of-a-kind artwork to be exhibited at the City of Waterloo Museum at Conestoga Mall.
Select one of Waterloo’s beautiful heritage homes or sites and let your creative juices flow! Find inspiration in a porch column, a window, the house or a winding park path. It’s up to you! A complete listing of these homes and sites can be found here or in printed form at the City of Waterloo Museum and the Waterloo Community Arts Centre at the Button Factory.

Reserve your heritage site selection early! Only 39 heritage sites are available, and as a result site selection will be on a first come basis. Please contact Judy Hunter at the City of Waterloo Museum at 519.885.8828 ext.16 with your selection and contact information. Additional information regarding the exhibition can be mailed out to you or an Artist Submission Packet is available for download in pdf. form.

All artwork will be exhibited at the City of Waterloo Museum at Conestoga Mall for public display from 14 September 2011 to 24 February 2012.

PARTICIPATION IN THIS EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO WATERLOO COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE MEMBERS ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT THE WATERLOO COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE AT 519.886.4577 FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING MEMBERSHIP.

Call for Entry | Arts Squared 2011

2011-03-21T21:07:00.003-04:00

June 25th (Waterloo Public Square)
July 16th (Willis Way)
August 13th (Waterloo Public Square)

$25 per day
Tent available for $10 on a first come, first serve basis.
Set up from 11am - 12pm

Call for Entry Form (pdf)

TheRecord - Light of the East shines bright in Waterloo’s Button...

2011-03-18T10:50:00.001-04:00

TheRecord - Light of the East shines bright in Waterloo’s Button.Factory..

Sarnia Artwalk 2011

2011-03-17T16:18:00.001-04:00

Sarnia Artwalk (June 4-5, 2011) has put out a call for vendors.
Deadline for entry April 22, 2011.

More information and entry forms available at:
http://www.sarniaartwalk.com/

6x6x2011: Global Call for Entry

2011-02-27T14:50:00.000-05:00

"6x6 began as a small fundraising exhibition, but has grown into an international art phenomenon. Last year over 5,000 artworks from 43 US States and 22 Countries were entered in this astounding exhibition!

6x6x2011: Global is the fourth exhibition of thousands of original artworks, made and donated by celebrities, international and local artists, designers, college students, youths, and YOU. Each artwork will be 6x6 square inches and signed only on the back, to be exhibited anonymously. All artworks will be for sale to the public for $20 each to benefit Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo). Artist names will be revealed to the buyer only upon purchase and all works will remain on display for the duration of the exhibition."

www.roco6x6.org

Mail or deliver your artwork before May 1, 2011 to:

Rochester Contemporary Art Center
137 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604

Entry Form

The 7th Annual Waterloo/Wellington Guitar Summit

2011-02-23T13:26:00.005-05:00

April 2,2011

This year we will have…

Wendell Ferguson

(back by popular demand!)

Alfie Smith

(the blues just don't get better!)

Bob MacLean

Celtic/Classical Guitarist

The date is set for Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 9:30 - 4:30 at the

Waterloo Community Arts Centre, 25 Regina St. South, Waterloo, ON.

The format for the day is 3 workshops and a ½ hr feature set from each of the instructors.

We are inviting local stores and local Luthiers to participate in the GUITAR SUMMIT EXPO for the day so you can try out some of the best they have to offer!!

The Workshops are….

Slide/Blues Guitar - open tunings
DADGAD tuning
Efficiency in Technique
Basic Boom-Chick Fingerstyle Guitar
The Elements of Style. A deconstruction of techniques and how to find your own 'voice'
Finger picking the blues with alternating bass, and more….

Workshops - $35 (Students - $25)

For tickets contact the Waterloo Community Arts Centre

www.buttonfactoryarts.ca

519-886-4577

ed@buttonfactoryarts.ca

FEEL FREE TO BRING YOUR GUITAR!!! All the workshops are interactive so you can join in and play if you wish or just take notes and observe.

Building on the success of last year, we had local music stores and independent luthiers/repair shops/dealers/marketers come out and show their stuff at the GUITAR SUMMIT EXPO.

If you were there last year you will recall we basically took over the WHOLE TWO FLOORS of the Button factory facility for the full day. We had just under 70 players in attendance for a full slate of workshops, performances, expo and networking and we hope to see more out this year.

Art Kudos International Juried Art Competition and Exhibition

2011-02-21T21:27:00.000-05:00

Now taking applications for 2011. Art Kudos is an annual international juried competition that serves to recognize and honour excellence in the visual arts. Artists who are selected as finalists benefit from world-wide exposure in a year-long online exhibition (www.artkudos.com) and have the opportunity to win cash awards for their exemplary work. There is a $30 US entry fee.

The deadline is June, 30th 2011.

Prospectus

Call for Entry form

The empire strikes back

2011-02-04T14:12:00.000-05:00

WaterlooChronicle.ca: A & E: Story: The empire strikes back

Button Factory photography exhibit highlights changes in the local landscape.

By Marshall Ward

Colours of Art | Call for Entry

2011-02-01T15:50:00.000-05:00

This show is open only to WCAC members. All artwork must be original in concept and
not done with any tutelage by an instructor or in any workshops.

Only work completed in the last 24 months and not previously shown by WCAC at the Button Factory will be accepted.

All artwork must be for sale! Acceptable media are: painting, printmaking, sculpture, carving and fibre art. Note that photography will not be accepted in this show.
A separate exhibition specific to photographers will be held in July 2011.

Each piece must be totally dry, properly and safely framed and securely wired to suit the WCAC hanging system. White, off-white or neutral coloured mats are required unless the mat is an integral part of the work.

It is the responsibility of the artist to firmly attach two labels to each piece of artwork, indicating artist’s name, title of piece, medium and price. One label should be affixed firmly to the back, and the second label affixed to the front top left corner and easily removable.

Works not meeting the criteria will not be accepted for entry.

Absolutely no changes to price, title or description of the work after the submission.

Call for Entry form (pdf)

New Photographic Exhibition Explores Changing Landscapes + Time Collisions in Waterloo

2011-01-31T17:50:00.000-05:00

This special photographic exhibit surveys the subject of changing landscapes in contemporary Waterloo Region over the past half decade. Mark Walton’s photographs capture the rapid pace of change and the resulting shifts as the past collides into the present making fast what becomes our new everyday.

You’ll have a chance to examine familiar and iconic landscapes already changed, lost, or in transition. Among them: The fields at Ira Needles road; Mr. Sushi’s neon window sign; the narrow wooden and burlap bridge spanning Crook’s Tract and two male transients sitting on a sidewalk in downtown Kitchener.

Shift: Time Collisions + Disappearing Landscapes showcases more than 30 colour landscapes and portraits which probe, provoke and investigate decay and reconstruction, the end of the road and the reimaging and reinterpreting of how we live in Waterloo Region.

“Things ultimately disappear to become something else,” Walton says. “It’s this disappearance that intrigues me.”

Born in Hamilton, raised in Winnipeg, Mark Walton moved to Waterloo in 2005. His multi-media performance work has appeared at IMPACT’09, CAFKA and at the University of Waterloo. He is the videographer for Dissocia, which will appear at the University of Waterloo February, 2011 and the Open Ears Festival in Kitchener, April 2011. Walton is a member of Art Allies and a Box 10 artist. His work was featured at the Box 10 group show in Kitchener in November 2010. Shift: Time Collisions + Disappearing Landscapes is his first solo show.

Shift: Time Collisions + Disappearing Landscapes is made possible with the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council, the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund, The Essential Image and the Button Factory.

Landscapes: Abstracted and Minimalized

2011-01-29T10:56:00.000-05:00

Article on Sue Ellen Eatrides’ exhibit.

theCord.ca - The tie that binds Wilfrid Laurier University

Wondrous physicality

2011-01-06T09:35:00.000-05:00

"Local artist celebrates human anatomy with new class at the Button Factory"

Interview with Anatomy for Life Drawing teacher David Antscherl by Marshall Ward.

Waterloo Chronicle January 5th, 2011

What IF....?

2010-12-29T11:28:00.000-05:00

IllustrationFriday.com is a website that presents a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

Topics are picked each week from a list of suggestions that have been submitted by participants.

To submit artwork it is important for an artist to have a website, most artists are using free services such as Blogger or DeviantART. Out of all the submissions one image is chosen randomly each week as the "Pick of the Week". Another valuable resource is the artists' forum, here you can read interviews and share ideas with others.

You can view this weeks entries with the link viewer.

Another stellar Juried Show at the Button Factory!

2010-10-14T16:42:00.000-04:00

On Friday October 8, 5-7pm, we celebrated another stellar Juried Show at the Button Factory! The caliber of artwork increases every year. With over 85 entries to choose from, it wasn’t easy for jurors Cathy Farwell, Heather Franklin and Judy Major-Girardin to make their selections. The jurors have curated a fine show of 35 works that explores the concepts of “interiors” and “exteriors” including mediums like acrylics, oils and charcoal. Join us this Friday to celebrate this beautiful exhibition, and the winners selected by our talented jurors.

First place goes to Valerie Groom, for her piece “Self #4”. Valerie, a fourth-year student at the University of Waterloo, has a gift for figurative painting in oils. Second place goes to Roger Schmidt, for his piece “Stratford Park Reader”. Roger is a local performer and musician who only recently discovered his talent and passion for drawing. Third place goes to Kathleen Poste, for her painting “Roots”. Kathleen is a self-taught artist and colourist preferring to explore the soul in nature. Honourable mentions go to Helena Pravda for “The Gardener”, Linda Kellar for “In the Evening”, and Don Routly for “Random Passage, Nfld.”.

WCAC was fortunate to have three jurors this year - Cathy Farwell, Judy Major-Girardin, and Heather Franklin - all women with exceptional talents and years of experience working in our arts community. I was thrilled when all three women agreed to jury our show. I have a deep respect for their knowledge, their volunteerism and work in our community over the years. It was delightful to see them work together and select a show from so many wonderful submissions.

It was a pleasure to plan and execute this year's Juried Show. This is my last special event as out-going Executive Director. I'll be taking a year's maternity leave, and in my place Heather Franklin will do a wonderful job! Thank you for a great two years, and now on to my next big adventure :)

Button Factory Summer Camp Claymation

2010-09-08T09:39:00.000-04:00

Claymation movies created by students in the "Raiders of the Lost Art" Summer Camp.

Arts Squared 2010

2010-08-24T22:28:00.000-04:00

Some images from Arts Squared that took place on July 17 and August 21 of this year. Including the coffee cup mosaic "Mask of Tutankhamun" by artist Sophie Drouin.

Thanks to the City of Waterloo and all volunteers and vendors that made the events possible.

Free workshop or class for area post-secondary students

2010-07-28T18:28:00.000-04:00

University of Waterloo, Conestoga College and Wilfrid Laurier students have the opportunity to take one class, workshop or program per session for free!

Two spaces will be available in each adult program on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Catalogue

WCAC is Proud to Present “IMAGE” our Annual Photography Exhibition

2010-07-06T16:20:00.001-04:00

The Waterloo Community Arts Centre (WCAC) is hosting their annual photography exhibition starting Friday, July 2nd running until July 30th in the Button Factory. This year is an open photography exhibition displaying various works by local photographers from Waterloo Region.

IMAGE was coordinated and curated by students of the University of Waterloo’s Fine Arts Department, and includes works by such artists as Yusuf Kidwai, Deb Whissell, Nigel Saba, Jim Hosepian, Robin Andrade, Norman Lightfoot, Janet Mullin and Whitney South.

“IMAGE” is an open exhibition that welcomes any kinds of photographs to be displayed. It allows artists to make use of their own creativity, imagination, and interests in expressing themselves through photography. The exhibition shows a wide range of techniques, subjects and themes that will surely please visitors.

"Our annual IMAGE photography show is a great opportunity for local photographers to gain some exposure and present their unique styles and preferences for subject matter. Although this year's exhibit was open all local photographers, next year we are looking forward to a more formal juried process for entry, which will push these photographers to new heights." - Lauren Judge, WCAC Executive Director

The reception date for this exhibition will be held on Friday, July 9th from 5pm to 7pm at the Button Factory. Admission is always free with snacks and refreshments for our guests.

Don Routly is People's Choice for Colours of Art Members' Show

2010-05-04T11:24:00.000-04:00

WCAC and it's members congratulate Don Routly for winning the People's Choice Award at the Colours of Art 2010 Members' Show and Sale!

KW Procession of the Species

2010-04-28T19:48:00.000-04:00

On April 24th, 2010 Kitchener-Waterloo held its first Procession of the Species. This event is a community arts-based Earth Day celebration where people flood the street to flaunt their favourite species or natural element whether it is flora, fauna or fungi, the sky is just the beginning!

KW Procession website

arts squared

2010-04-20T14:04:00.000-04:00

Arts Squared is an outdoor art market featuring local artists

and a variety of art forms. There will be free activities,

so bring the family.

10am to 5pm, July 17 and August 21 at the Public Square in Uptown Waterloo.

To exhibit download the Registration Form.

WCAC presents Paintings by Nana Bediako

2010-01-12T16:25:00.000-05:00

At the Button Factory January 8 to 29

Nana Bediako was born in 1987 in Ghana, where he lived and schooled until he moved to Canada in 2004 to further his education. At his high school, Notre Dame Catholic School in Ajax, he had the opportunity to hone his talent by participating in many youth art exhibitions and competitions where he earned numerous awards and constantly excelled.

Currently in his third year at the University of Waterloo, Nana's extraordinary prowess continually distinguishes him. Nana's main sources of inspiration are the people around him, and his rich African heritage which brilliantly and proudly shines through his collections. The future of this prolific, artistic genius can only be imagined, as his limit is way beyond the sky. It should therefore not come as a surprise that this young artists has earned himself a well deserved alias: the promising son of Africa.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-17T14:23:00.000-05:00

The Miniatures Fundraiser was a big success! We raised enough money to make some big improvements to our first floor gallery over the holidays. Thanks to these funds raised, and to a grant from the Trillium Foundation, the first floor will be painted, and new reception desk installed and new gallery furniture can be purchased. We are really excited for this facelift!

WCAC offices will be closed starting December 19, and reopen on January 4. This closing is to allow time to make the above improvements, and to let our staff and instructors share a special holiday with their loved ones. The Board of Directors and staff of WCAC wish you all the best this holiday season, and look forward to seeing you again in the New Year!

If you haven't already, please pick up the miniatures you purchased before we close for the holidays. If you don't, we will keep them safe over the holidays and have them ready for pick up in January.

KW loses a talented poet

2009-12-09T09:40:00.000-05:00

Mr. Green was a frequent visitor to the Button Factory, finding inspiration here and from the resident group Pat the Dog. He was a talented poet and actively provided programming in the Uptown Waterloo area. He will be missed.

GREEN, Mark Edward (aka: Marcus, Mr. Green and Dr. Poetry) Passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at the age of 40. Mark will be sadly missed by parents, Guy and Brenda Green of Port Elgin, brother of Christine (Jim) Schieckoff of Baden and Trevor (Beverly) Green of Riedsville. Proud uncle and will be missed by his nieces and nephew, Megan, Erin and James Green and Rachel Schieckoff. Mark hosted "The Smokin Word" for CKMS radio station and he also hosted an open mike night at the Whole Lot-A Gelata in Waterloo. Mark had a passion for poetry and was in the midst of writing a book of his poems. His goal in life was to make the world more beautiful.

Miniatures for Sale

2009-11-20T10:45:00.000-05:00

The Miniatures Fundraiser runs until December 18! Get your miniatures now, for only $30!
We need to reach a target of 50 miniatures sold. All proceeds will go to gallery improvements and updating our programming spaces.
Thanks to all our participating artists - your contributions are beautifully executed!
Do your last minute holiday shopping at the Button Factory's Miniatures sale.

Remembrance Day

2009-11-06T10:12:00.000-05:00

For Remembrance Day here is an interview with Harry Watts, artist, writer and Second World War veteran.

Harry's book, The Dispatch Rider, is available at

The Spitfire Emporium, 666 Victoria Street North

(the place with the airplane on the roof).

Pecha Kucha

2009-10-30T12:19:00.001-04:00

On October 23rd the Waterloo Community Arts Centre held its first successful night in a speakers series that is part of the worldwide network known as PechaKucha. The idea is to make a presentation with 20 slides and have them on screen for 20 seconds each. This gives the presenter 6 minutes and 40 seconds to do their talk.

Thanks to all our presenters:

Hilary Abel

Crystal Bradford

Elizabeth Fenuta

Liam Kijewski

Ashley Snell

Carolyn Young

And thanks to all those who showed up and a special thanks to Andrew the Bartender.

a small sample of what was seen.....

The People Have Chosen

2009-10-30T11:16:00.001-04:00

One hundred and five visitors have cast their votes for a final winner from the Annual Juried Show.
Congratulations Kathleen Poste for your painting "Cows at the Fence".
It was clearly the People's Choice!

2009-10-15T15:48:00.000-04:00

The Juried Show reception was a hit. We had 83 visitors attend. We had great food from Seven Shores Cafe, and wonderful jazz from Jazz Cafe Noir. Peter Etril Snyder, one of our jurors, assisted me in welcoming everyone. These were the winners announced:

1st Place - Erwin Rummel, for his "Corn and Green Peppers"
2ns Place - Kathleen Poste, for her "Tree Island"
3rd Place - Pat Kalyn, for her "June 31st Rhapsody"

Honourable Mentions go to:
Jim Heldmann, for his "Another Winter in Philipsburg"
Wendy Albrecht, for her "Night Bird"
Teri Keenliside, for her "Winter Morn"

Congratulations to everyone! There is one more prize yet - the People's Choice Award will be announced right here at the end of the month.

Annual Juried Show on Now!

2009-10-05T09:56:00.001-04:00

The Jurors have finished their work, and the selected paintings are on the walls. Come to the Button Factory, October 2 to 30, to see Rhythm of Life, our annual juried show. This year's jurors - Peter Etril Snyder, Robert Achtemichuk, and Marshall Ward - have selected 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes, and 3 honourable mentions. The winners will be announced at the reception this Friday, October 9, 5pm to 7pm.

This year's reception will feature jazz music by Jazz Cafe Noir and food from Seven Shores Cafe.

Participating Artists are:

Wendy Albrecht
Rouaida Al-madrmani
Jane Bayne
Nicole Coviello
David Crow
Sanela Dizdar
Adele Figliomeni
Frances Gregory
Jim Heldmann
Carol Hughes
Pat Kalyn
Teri Keenliside
Linda Kellar
Jean Marshall
Kathleen Poste
Don Routly
Erwin Rummel
Dawna Saba
Ann Vandenberg Sczyrba
Gail Vanderzee
Nicole Waddick
Brian Whitfield
Leandra Zarnow

Painting Contest, Word on the Street 2009

2009-09-28T11:01:00.001-04:00

The Button Factory, Neruda Productions and Latin Life Magazine were at Victoria Park on Saturday for the Word on the Street festival. We hosted a painting contest for kids aged 5-14. The winner will have their painting featured on the front cover of the next issue of Latin Life! Other prizes included a Chapters gift card, and a night at the movies! We had 45 entries, and the decision was tough.
The theme of the paintings: fall.
The winners: Oliver and Eric!

10 Benefits for WCAC Members and 10 Reasons Why You Should Be a Member Too!

2009-09-21T15:10:00.000-04:00

WCAC Members get 15% off all WCAC courses and workshops
WCAC members get 15% off at State of the Art Supplies (84 King Street North Waterloo, ON N2J 2X4 - (519) 725-8585)
WCAC members can join the Sketch Club each Wednesday morning, 10am to 12noon for $2
WCAC members can attend KWSA meetings, the first Tuesday of every month
WCAC members can show their works in two annual exhibits: Colours of Art members show in April, and the Annual Juried Show in October
WCAC members get the Program Catalogue first
WCAC members can attend the Annual General Meeting each year and vote in members to the Board of Directors
WCAC members get regualar emails informing them about upcoming events and exhibition opportunities
WCAC members have free access to the media lab
It only costs $30 for an individual and $50 for a family for 12 months!

2009-09-15T13:35:00.001-04:00

Take the time to read this wonderful article by our own Life Drawing Instructor, Marshall Ward.
http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/opinions/article/187606

2009-09-05T13:48:00.001-04:00

Dear Members,
It is that time of year again, where we all gather for the Annual General Meeting. The Board of Directors and I look forward to seeing you Thursday September 24 at 7pm at the Button Factory to present our annual report and financials, as well as a special tribute to our past Executive Director Sher DiCiccio.

Please look for a letter in the mail from me with the agenda and Board news, as well as a proxy voting form if you are unable to attend.
See you there!
- Lauren Judge, General Manager

Canadian Red Cross Exhibit Opens in KW

2009-08-12T12:54:00.000-04:00

WATERLOO, August 11, 2009 - Pictures Talk, a Canadian Red Cross exhibition showcasing 25 photos taken by young survivors of the 2004 tsunami, was unveiled today at the Waterloo Button Factory and Kitchener's Fairview Park Mall. The exhibition offers a rare glimpse of post-tsunami recovery through a child's eyes.

"The children who took these photographs are survivors of the devastating tsunami - many of them lost loved ones and friends, their homes and all of their belongings," said Karen Charles, disaster response manager for the Red Cross in Southwestern Ontario. "By providing a glimpse into the lives of these children today, the exhibit offers a unique perspective on how life returns for young survivors in disaster-affected communities. Pictures Talk gives our community the opportunity to see up close the positive effect their tremendous outpouring of support has provided to the tsunami survivors."

In 2008, the Canadian Red Cross provided young Indonesians, aged eight to sixteen years old, with disposable cameras and an invitation to photograph what represented their world today. The result is Pictures Talk, a story of hope and renewal four years after the tsunami. The exhibit is a collection of 25 striking photographs selected from more than 1,000 photos taken by 41 Indonesian children.

Pictures Talk will be on display from August 11 to 21. The exhibition is open to the general public during regular business hours, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.

Red Cross delegate, Kathy Mueller, a former newscaster in London, ON was on hand for the unveiling. Ms. Mueller has been working in Indonesia for the last year and was able to provide updates on post-tsunami recovery.

"The Waterloo Community Arts Centre is pleased to have this exhibit on display, as it uses art to take a positive step in a community's development," said Lauren Judge, general manager of the Button Factory.

Many Canadians will recall watching news on Boxing Day 2004, of the Indian Ocean tsunami and subsequent earthquakes which killed more than 225,000 people and left another 1.6 million homeless. Tens of thousands of homes, schools and hospitals were destroyed.

Canadians responded to the disaster in record-breaking numbers, donating more than $200 million to the Canadian Red Cross. These donations had even more impact when CIDA introduced a matching program, contributing another $131 million. Canadian donations have helped almost 4 million survivors rebuild their lives.

Individuals and corporations in the Kitchener-Waterloo area were especially generous, donating more than $2 million to the Red Cross to support tsunami relief and recovery.

"The response in our community was overwhelming," said Ms. Charles. "Pictures Talk is an opportunity for everyone here to see how their donations continue to touch the lives of so many people who were affected by the tsunami."
For more information about the Red Cross tsunami relief and to view the virtual Pictures Talk exhibit, please visit www.redcross.ca/tsunami

People's Choice Award 2009

2009-08-11T15:11:00.002-04:00

The People's Choice Award winner for this year's IMAGE photo exhibit is:
Robin Andrade for her photo "Snoop".
Robin has won a beautiful set of photo albums from
Bent's Foto Source in Uptown Waterloo.

2009-07-14T15:03:00.000-04:00

This is just a reminder that this weekend is our Artist Alley event! The alleyway between the Button Factory and the Uptown Parkade will become an outdoor art market, with artists selling original artworks and jewellery. Open 11am to 7pm.

2009-07-09T15:20:00.000-04:00

You are cordially invited to the opening reception of IMAGE 2009- a group show of 7 local photographers at the Button Factory, this Friday July 10 from 5pm to 7pm.

Our featured photographers are:

Robin Andrade, Sara Dawkins, Geoff Lewis, Jack MacAulay, Eliseo Martell, Janet Mullin, and Deb Whissell.

Each has a unique style and uses a variety of techniques that set them apart.
From pet portraits to botanicals, you won't be disappointed with what you see in our first floor gallery this Friday evening!
See you there!

Catherine Paleczny, Sculptor and Gem of the Arts Community, contributes to KWAG and WCAC

2009-06-17T14:31:00.000-04:00

Waterloo (Ontario), June 8, 2009 – Catherine Paleczny only recently returned to Waterloo this winter to share her talents with the community where her first interests in sculpture were nurtured. She is a living gem in the arts community that is contributing much in the way of visual arts.

At the moment Catherine has an exhibit on at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery (KWAG), “Sumus Quod Sumus” (May 15 – July 5), featuring 700 works in ceramics.

“Though her practice is rooted firmly in ceramics, Paleczny's work often suggests the archeological remnants of past civilizations… She creates a volume of forms using traditional hand-building techniques. Each object, though crafted as an ambiguous, individual form, is integrated into a collective and perceived as part of a larger shape. Paleczny's "swarms" speak of movement, repetition, spatial tension, and our constant search for order and belonging in the world around us.” (http://www.kwag.ca/en/exhibitions/OnView.asp)

Catherine Paleczny lives and works in Waterloo. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Fine Art degree from the University of Calgary. She has studied at the University of Michigan and the University of Western Sydney Australia and most recently earned a Master of Science in Education degree from Niagara University. She has been a resident artist at The Banff Centre, the International Ceramic Centre in Denmark and the Ceramic Sculpture Symposium in Poland and the Experimental Ceramic Work Centre in Jingdezghen China... To learn more about Catherine Paleczny, visit www.paleczny.net.

The Waterloo Community Arts Centre (WCAC) is pleased to begin working with Catherine, and her colleague Becky Webster, to develop a large piece of public art to be installed at the front of the Old Button Factory, home of the arts centre at 25 Regina Street South. Catherine’s sketches show her intention to honor the history and heritage of the building, formerly a factory that produced buttons made from shells and nuts until 1944. Her work is a testament to Waterloo’s arts community and demonstrates a standard of excellence that is expected of the public art produced in our creative city.

The community’s ownership in the development of this piece is important to WCAC. The organization invited community members to participate in a fully funded press-molding workshop as part of the recent SpOtlight Festival (June 5-7), where they created the ceramic buttons that will be fixed to the final piece. WCAC hopes the finished piece will become a landmark for Waterloo’s arts and culture, and that all community members will relate to it.

WCAC is waiting for approval from the City of Waterloo for the installation before Catherine and Becky can begin assembling the sculpture on the Button Factory property. The land and building are owned by the City of Waterloo, and therefore all public art must be approved by the City before installation can occur.

2009-05-08T11:49:00.000-04:00

These are the paintings for auction at the Button Factory. You may view the paintings at the Button Factory (25 Regina Street South, Waterloo) or email your bid to generalmanager@buttonfactoryarts.ca. Don't forget to include your name, phone number, which painting you want to bid on, and the bid $ amount.

#7 Elora Creek
Current Bid: $150

#3 Trilliums
Current Bid: $175

#4 Snowscape
Current Bid: $200

#5 Birch Study
Current Bid: $150

#9 Forest Sunlight
Current Bid: $250

#8 Autumn Shadows
Current Bid: $250

#6 Birches, Laurel Creek
Current Bid: $200

#10 Grand River, Elora
Current Bid: $200

The paintings at the WPL branches are :
#2 Ontario Heritage
Current Bid: $220

#1 Conestoga Heritage
Current Bid: $150

2009-05-04T11:30:00.000-04:00

The winners of this year's People Choice Award for the Colours of Art Show are Baria Fleifel for her "Mediterranean" painting, and Kathleen Poste for her "Tree Stumps" painting. Yes, it was a tie!

2009-05-01T16:14:00.000-04:00

WCAC is pleased to announce a recent donation of 10 paintings from local artist David Allan Crow. These paintings were donated to WCAC for a silent auction fundraiser happening at the Button Factory and the Waterloo Public Library from May 1st to June 30th.

David Allan Crow grew up and studied art in England, then migrated to Canada in 1955. He studied under a number of artists, and exhibited in a number of galleries and companies. David is past president of the KW Society of Artists. Until 1991, he was a pilot with Air Canada. Now he is retired and lives in Waterloo.

David's watercolour paintings are a testament to the talen and genius in the KW arts community. He is a master with colour, and his style is unique to any watercolourist. David frequently paints scenes in and around the Grand River landscape. Two of the paintings being donated, "Conestoga Heritage" and "Ontario Heritage", were recently exhibited in WCAC's annual Colours of Art Show.

The Waterloo Public Library has generously allowed WCAC to exhibit some of these paintings at their Main and McCormick branches, to allow more community members to enjoy David's beautiful landscapes and place their bids.

WCAC's Silent Auction runs to the end of June. Each of the 10 paintings is assigned a reserve bid. To see these paintings, visit the Button Factory or WPL branches. You can monitor the bids on this blog over the next 8 weeks. All the proceeds will go towards WCAC programs and initiatives to boost our exposure within the community.

2009-04-27T16:14:00.000-04:00

I spent my Saturday at Cambridge City Hall, as a participant in the Arts, Business and Creativity conference. This is an annual event coordinated by the Region's Small Business Centres and municipal culture developers. It is geared towards artists and community members employed by arts organizations.

The day was jam-packed, but very pleasant. Opening ceremonies and breakfast in City Hall, and the workshops were held in the Cambridge Centre for the Arts. I am ashamed to admit, this was my first time in the Centre for the Arts. It's a great facility, with so much instructional space and natural light.

The workshops were informative. In the last session we had a keynote speaker, Councillor Gord Hume from London, Ontario. He delivered a passionate speech on the Creative City report, released a couple years ago, and how municipalities can become creative communities. He inspired some dialogue on how we can affect change in our municipality by exerting some pressure on Council members at election time, and place emphasis on the aesthetics of the city and "place-making".

I kept my ears wide open during all the question and answer periods throughout the day. This is what I'm hearing:

Artists want affordable, safe work space
Artists are finding it difficult to bring awareness to the arts and culture, especially at the muicipal level.
It is difficult to get past the city staff, or through to Council; There needs to be a way to bring arts and culture to the forefront and at the top of the Councils' agendas

All in all, there is an obvious need for this conference, and more knowledge-sharing in our community. The people attending the workshops were thirsty for it. And it was so nice not to see the usual faces from the arts community (no offence!). It made me realize just how diverse our arts community is and who is working in the realm outside of our local arts organizations.

What the day taught me: Artists will continue to create despite the state of the economy, and our creativity will outlive even the worst of times.

2009-04-14T14:45:00.000-04:00

At 4:30pm sharp people started filing into the Button Factory to view the works of 31 artists. Thursday, from 4:30 to 7pm, the Centre opened its doors for the annual Colours of Art. On the second floor, 30 members exhibited paintings and drawings of various styles, subjects and sizes.

I was so impressed with the variety of pieces this year. We had 30 registrations and 62 submissions, which made for a packed catalogue for viewers to take away. We are accepting People's Choice ballots until May 2nd. I am so proud of this year's show, and I hope we've raised the bar for the Juried Show coming up in October.

On the first floor, Terry Torra presented his show, called "H2O Plus". His paintings range from an impressio-realist style to abstract. Terry celebrates the beauty of waterfalls, and brings life to the abstract explorations by making the colours jump from the canvas.

Many thanks to the Gallery Committee for their efforts in coordinating the receptions on both floors, the take-in and hanging of the artwork. It was much appreciated and you did a wonderful job!

2009-04-03T11:34:00.000-04:00

A week ago the Button Factory was a hive of activity. I had to wade through accoustic guitars and mingling amateur guitarists to get to the reception desk. The phone was off the hook and the cash register thought it was part of the live entertainment. The 5th annual Waterloo/Wellington Guitar Summit was in full swing.

Richard Burnett brought four gorgeous instruments for display, all the way from Folkway Music in Guelph. The music store sponsored this event.

Bob MacLean, Rick Zolkower and Dunstan Morey was the workshop instructors and performers for the day. The workshops attracted a record 40 registrations! And this we had more women attend than any other year!

This was my first Guitar Summit, and my first concert since I took the position of General Manager at the Button Factory (gulp). But with the help of these gentlemen and Jim Galway, the evening's concert went beautifully.

To honour Earth Hour we dimmed the lights, and the performers unplugged. Each of the performers celebrated their mentors with beautiful performances, showing off skill and talent with the guitar that I had never seen or heard before. We kept the presentation simply, but the performances were diverse - blues, celtic and classical pieces.

I'm already looking forward to next year's summit.