Press release - A New Professional Artist Residency Program in Dieppe
PRESS RELEASE
A New Professional Artist Residency Program in Dieppe
The Public is Invited to Meet Artists and Explore Their Worlds
*Sur les photos : Mélanie Paulin - Renu Mathew - André Lapointe
(Dieppe, April 24, 2024) - Launched this winter, the professional artist residency program at the Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre (DACC) offers the opportunity to meet artists and see them in action.
Throughout the year, artists practice their art in the creative spaces of the DACC and take advantage of professional facilities during a 2 to 3-month residency. Artists have access to a multifunctional workspace, support from the Centre and the community, and a platform to showcase their art. Each residency culminates in a public engagement activity where visitors can discover the fruits of the artists' labour over the past months.
This Friday, April 26: Special Activity with André Lapointe
The first residency with sculptor André Lapointe is coming to an end. He will meet the public this Friday, April 26, starting at 7:30 pm to present the work of the past few months, which marks the beginning of a new chapter for the artist.
"My residency allowed me to rebound," explains André Lapointe, who has just presented a retrospective of his 40-year career. "Following such a project is like starting over with a blank page! The residency came at the right time and allowed me to start a new body of work." André Lapointe has chosen the theme of self-portraiture, both classic and contemporary, which he explores in his sculptures and installations.
In addition to a discussion and a studio tour, the public will witness the screening of the film "André Lapointe, Creative (Re)Spaces" (Didier Maigret, Ça Tourne Productions) portraying the journey of this great artist from New Brunswick. The activity is free and open to all.
Artistic Residencies in 2024
DACC reaches out to artists from all over and confirms the upcoming residency of textile and print artist Mélanie Paulin from Moncton from May to July, and pottery artist Renu from Alberta from July to September. During their residency, artists hold "open studio hours," during which the public can meet them and get to know their unique perspectives.
"We want people to discover arts in all their forms and understand the creative process by meeting the artists," says Guylaine Cyr, Director of Visual Arts Development and Programming.
Guylaine Cyr also announces that the call is open for the next residencies, including those for the RBC Emerging Artists Grant, scheduled for the winter of 2024-2025. Additionally, a new call for artists of all practices and levels of professional development will be launched soon. Stay tuned!
Summer Residency with Mélanie Paulin: Climate Crisis and Fast Fashion
Emerging contemporary artist Mélanie Paulin from Moncton works in textiles and print. She will begin her residency in May 2024 and will be there until the end of July. Mélanie will work on a series addressing the hidden water footprint of the fashion and textile industry. Her goal is to create the largest work in the series symbolizing the colossal annual water consumption by the industry (79 trillion litres!).
"Facing the climate crisis, fast fashion has turned clothing into disposable commodities, altering our relationship with the materials around us," she explains.
The public will be able to participate in the creation process during interactive hooked rug sessions. Mélanie will ask people to bring in outdated clothing and textiles. These meetings will raise awareness of the environmental impact of the fashion world and allow participants to delve into artistic practices. Dates will be announced soon.
Meeting a Need in the Artistic Community
The artistic residency program meets a need in the artistic community, as Guylaine Cyr explains: "Many artists do not have adequate space to create, and depending on the medium one works with, it is not easy to do everything at home."
The DACC has renovated its creative spaces and is structured and equipped for all disciplines—whether large or small-scale sculpture, pottery, painting, drawing, etc. The artistic residency program is part of its mission to serve as a cultural hub and artistic incubator, allowing artists to develop their practice in dedicated spaces.
True to its mandate, DACC stimulates research and creation within the artistic community and shares the passion for the arts with the public. Creating a vibrant space where ideas converge and collaborations form is the ambition pursued, reflecting the essential role that the arts play in the economy and the well-being of society. The professional artist residency program is one of the cornerstones of its 2024-2027 strategic planning.
Valuable Support
DACC would like to thank its valuable partners who make it possible for artists of great talent to come to the Centre. All of this would not be possible without the support of artsnb, the Royal Bank of Canada Sheila Hugh MacKay Foundation, the RBC Foundation, the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Culture NB, and the City of Dieppe.
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POUR INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS
Guylaine Cyr
Visuals Arts Manager
Michael Wood
Ceramic coordinator
