Let it Snow, Let it Snow

by Dan Davidson

January 21, 2004

HOW much snow was there in Dawson last week? The weatherman says 59 centimeters and says that this is a 102 year record. The proof would seem to be on the mounds of undisturbed snow sheltered from any wind and therefore free to pile up as it pleases. An old desk in a backyard tells the story, as do the birdhouses at John and Madeleine Gould's home. Down the street a person can hardly find the boardwalk on one side of Second Avenue, while there's a car on Front Street that didn't move fast enough to avoid becoming part of a snowbank. Fortunately, up on Third Avenue, the trucks and loaders were busy hauling some of the accumulation away.

photo by Madeleine Gould

January NEWSLETTER ..Dawson City Arts Society.

The Mission of Dawson City Arts Society is “to create an environment for advancement of the arts ­ to enrich the social, cultural and economic fabric of the Yukon Territory”. The method is by development and delivery of arts education.

We hope this month’s newsletter conveys a sense of accomplishment. Your support, through membership, or involvement in any way, is essential to the continuing success of this exciting and ambitious initiative. As one director puts it, “What do you like better: life before, or life after KIAC?”

The DCAS directors are: Greg Hakonson(President), John Steins(vice-Pres), Palma Berger, Janice Cliff, Karen Dubois, Mike Yuhasz, Paul Henderson, Maureen Abbot, Lue Maxwell and Freda Roberts.

KIAC Staff: Gary Parker (Exec. Director), Jen Leece (Admn. Assist.), David Curtis (Programs Mngr), Jen Shelest (Programs Assist.) Mike Yuhasz(Gallery and Residency co-ordinator) Dylan Griffiths (Film Fest Co-ordin.).

THE FILM FESTIVAL : Éby Dylan Griffiths

Pull out that cushion and prepare for another marathon of cinematic delights ­ the 5th Annual Dawson City Short Film Festival takes place April 9, 10 & 11, 2004. Showcasing films from around the world. This year’s Festival is expected to feature over 60 new works from the Yukon and beyond, along with workshops, and panel discussions on the art, craft and business of filmmaking. Plus there will be popcorn.

Winter Film Series starts on Jan 16th to end of April. ÉÉÉ.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES: ..by Jen Shelest

KIAC’s 2004 Winter Calendar offers 8 visual and performing arts courses including Film Appreciation, Beginners Sewing, Silkscreen printing and Fabric art Series consisting of three individual workshops; plus Piano, Violin, Fiddle or Cello workshops. In addition, a variety of animation workshops leading up to and during the 5th Annual Dawson City International Short Film Festival. The course calendar picks up in mid January. É..

CONTINUING EDUCATION: É. By David Curtis

We continue to work towards our goal of establishing a dedicated art school in and for the north and here’s a snapshot of where we’re at:

A group of 11 students started in the Arts for Employment program in Oct. All are busy studying computer graphics and web design at Yukon college, and art/design, photography, and filmmaking at the Odd Fellows Hall. We are currently planning for the 5th Consecutive year to start in Oct. 2004. You may see the results of their efforts at the showing during the first two weeks of May.

It has always been the #1 objective of the Dawson City Arts Society to offer a credited foundation year visual arts program for northerners, that reflects the uniqueness of our surroundings and community. With renovations to the Old Liquor Store begun, the start date for the class is just 18 months away. We are currently developing the program design and writing curriculum in partnership with Tr’ondek Hwech’in and Yukon College, with much appreciated support from DIAND.

The first year of the program (2005/2006) will accommodate a maximum of twenty students, but the following year(s) we will offer forty placements. A working

group from KIAC, Tr’ondek Hwech’in, and Yukon College are working with arts education professionals from across the country, developing the necessary academic and infrastructures necessary.

This Foundation Year will be the first of its kind in the north, bringing many new faces to the Yukon over the Fall, Winter and Spring session. The students will be coming to Dawson not only to learn about art, but to experience the Yukon and why we choose to call it home.

ODD GALLERY Éby Mike Yuhasz

The ODD Gallery is looking forward to another exciting year of exhibitions, opening receptions, artist’s talks and youth programmes. Serving our diverse mandate, the 2004 schedule includes exhibitions by youth and student artists, current and former regional artists Meghan Hildebrand, Carl Barney, Ava Christl and Kennedy Bradshaw and national artists Donald Lawrence, Samantha Dickie and First Nations artists Michael Belmore and Mary Anne Barkhouse.

Opportunities: The ODD Gallery is looking for DCAS Member Artists interested in a rotating display of artwork in the foyer of the Yukon Arts center in Whitehorse. Many opportunities exist for people interested in volunteering for Gallery events and programming. The next deadline for exhibition proposals is May 31, 2004. Contact Gallery co-ordinator for more information.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM É by Mike Yuhasz.

The residency program continues to expand exponentially ­ since the programs inception through to the end of 2004, over 40 artists from across Canada and international artists from Lithuania, Holland USA, Spain and England will have participated. The program now operates year round and the 2004 schedule includes 15 artists working in a diverse range of media and innovative practices. Again, numerous artist’s talks, open studios and some exciting workshops will be scheduled throughout the year providing many opportunities for interaction between the visiting artists and the community.

KIAC welcomes to the residence former Yukoners Hannah Jickling and Valerie Salez (January ­ Mar) followed by film makers Dan Solowski and Naomi McCormack (April) for a residency in conjunction with the annual film festival.