The artists and committee of the Moosetletoe Studio Tours have decided to cancel this year’s annual tour of local artists’ studios due to COVID-19 concerns, but that doesn’t mean Moose Jaw will be without chances to get involved with art throughout the fall.
The Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery has a number of programs and projects coming up that will help the community continue to stay connected to both their own creative side and the artists of Moose Jaw.
Education program coordinator Christy Schweiger from the MJMAG shared a few of the upcoming items of interest on the art gallery’s calendar, beginning with the ongoing work happening to put the gift shop online.
No set timeline has been established for the launch of the online shop, as the curator and tech team are still in discussion and the process will take some time, but MJMAG hopes to have the online option available for the Christmas season.
“We have someone in the community who is very tech-oriented that is working with the curator to come up with a concept of how to do that,” said Schweiger. “So that’s a little ways off but we will be working on that, and it’s a great idea to have it up for Christmas. We want to highlight local artists and work with local artists in not only our community but in Saskatchewan to provide them that option.”
The Norma Lang Gallery is also under construction as MJMAG staff prepare for the fall exhibition titled Marsha Kennedy: Embodied Ecologies, which will open on Oct. 9.
The Women’s Cape Project showcase in the gallery lobby, facilitated by cultural educator and traditional Cree artist Barb Frazer and featuring the beadwork of local Indigenous women, will also be expanding with an addition to the exhibition — another beadwork medallion project featuring 30 more artists.
For those looking for a more hands-on art experience, the MJMAG has also planned several art classes coming up, with something for all ages.
Adult classes will be taking place in-person, with a limit of six participants per class to ensure proper safety protocols. Materials will be provided for all participants, and masks will be required while in the building.
“It’s hard to wear a mask for the whole time but it is required, [and] we will be taking breaks,” said Schweiger. “We’re just trying to test the waters and make people feel comfortable and safe, while we’re offering classes.”
Kids classes are also available, with small, in-person classes available as well as online versions for those nervous about public spaces. Schweiger is also working on providing the art gallery’s school art program to educators in an online capacity this fall, which will also be available to students who are homeschooling.
The MJMAG is planning for the Creatabilities art class to return in November in the afternoons, which is aimed towards individuals with special needs and learning difficulties. The class takes place online, from a distance, with material kits provided to participants with everything they need to take part.
A new art class for seniors aged 55 and up is also underway, in partnership with Senior Centres Without Walls, where participants are given the materials and step-by-step instructions from Schweiger over the phone.
“Everything is over the phone, and so that is for seniors and particularly it will be good for people who are not technologically inclined, with the Internet,” said Schweiger, adding that the first session went very well.
MJMAG is also adapting the pop-up clay sessions that became popular last year with the upcoming launch of Clay At Home, a do-it-yourself craft kit that contains all the materials needed to create a clay ornament. The first clay kit is Halloween-themed and available for preorder right now, with pickup set for Oct. 25-27.
Schweiger encourages people to check out the upcoming calendar of classes, as the MJMAG has been working very hard to adapt programming to the unusual circumstances of this year and there is a little something for everyone.
“I’ve always wanted to work with vulnerable groups such as seniors and individuals with learning disabilities, and so this has really given me a chance to spend time with them online,” said Schweiger. “I feel really good that we have been able to include more community members in our programming, that we’ve never had time to do in the past.”
All of the MJMAG’s upcoming programs are open for registration online only, as the gallery is reducing physical contact where possible.
More information on classes and what’s coming up can be found on the MJMAG’s website at mjmag.ca.
Source:- moosejawtoday.com
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