Exquisite Corps pre-DRAW

This drawing was so funny, I had to make a little post for it.

For those of you out there who either don't know of, or have never participated in an exquisite corps drawing session, let me explain a bit about it. First you find some cool people to draw with, then you take one sheet of paper and fold it into three sections. You can pick a theme, a word, or a figure to work from. The lovely ladies from the Visual Arts Association of Alberta (who we just so happen to share our third floor living space with) offered to help me get some examples ready for our big DRAW event this upcoming Saturday. They used me as their model, each with a section of their very own. Sharon had my bust, Jaye had my torso, and Brittany had my legs! Exquisite Corps works kind of like this...the first person draws their section then folds it over so the next person can't see what they have just drawn. After each person has finished their section, they take a few lines and peak them over the fold so that the person who will be drawing after them, has a starting point. The second person repeats and does the same. Then when the third person finishes their's, you open up all three folded sections and TADA! A beautiful, sometimes strange, and always funny exquisite corps drawing!

Sharon, Jaye and Brittany's drawing actually turned out surprisingly normal, and it was the first time any of them had tried it!

I decided to post another example of an exquisite corps drawing. I'm not sure who's it is because I borrowed it from the internet. I also have no idea what they used for a theme, but it shows how weird these drawings can get.

If you haven't tried this cool drawing collaboration, come to Harcourt this Saturday anytime between 12pm and 5:30pm. We'll be doing it, plus lots of other neat drawing stuff.

There are Happenings, happening!

When we said tons of great things happen at Harcourt during the summer, we really meant it!
The next week is jammed packed starting this Saturday, the 24th. The event is DRAW, and it's all about showcasing the three Artist Run Centres in Edmonton, plus FAVA. From 12-6pm at Harcourt House you can take part in some exquisite corps and life-drawing sessions with two models, one clothed and one not-so-clothed. At SNAP from 12-6pm you can do print making, (which is way cool), and if you've never taken part in the art of print making, there will be nice people who know what they're doing to help you along. The evenings escapades will roll on through from 6pm - midnight at Latitude 53 where you can collage, dance, and drink. FAVA will also be kickin' it, doing some really neat scratch animation! It's basically going to be a really cool day and a super fun night. We should all be there. http://www.latitude53.org/draw


Next up, Harcourt's very own Artist Talk and Opening Reception!
From July 29th-August 28th, Sylvia Ziemann and Paul Bernhardt will be showing in the Main and Front Room gallery spaces.

Ziemann is a multi-media and sculpture based artist from Saskatchewan. Her show, titled 'Home (In) Security', explores our tendencies to turn our homes into utopies that we allow to be haunted by the outside world through virtual means.

Bernhardt is a local artist who does large scale paintings based on landscape and structures of the contemporary environment. His abstracted compositions are drawn from seemingly banal elements; parking lots, tollbooths, billboards and fences, which he reinterprets in rich, electric colour.

And remember, there is always more information on our website, just incase.
www.harcourthouse.ab.ca

Summer is always funner with Art!

At least that's what the folks at Harcourt think.

Our summer Art Xpressed youth camps are in full swing! We have four five-day camps for youth ages 7-11 and 12-16! Geri, our Summer Camp Coordinator is busy teaching the kids really cool things like... how to make figures out of clay, how to screen print t-shirts and cards, paint like the oh-so wonderful Jackson Pollock, all about the colour wheel, and tons of other fun stuff. They even get their very own art show on the last day!

I must say, I wish we had a camp for kids my age.

Four more Days of Elemental Titanium

Elemental Titanium is our 22nd annual members show and sale and has been up since the 18th of June! It's coming to an end the 17th of July, which is this Saturday. So if you haven't made it up to see the show yet, you should try. It is a great show with over 200 pieces including sculpture, painting, prints, and photography. Above are some peaks at the show from our opening reception.

Well hello there Mr. Blog, we are Harcourt House!

Harcourt House is an Artist Run Centre, with loads going on, and we've decided to join in on all the blogging fun that has been happening. So stayed tuned for all the cool things we will be posting. From our Art Xpressed summer camps to our Artist in Residence, special events to exhibitions...we would like to get to know you, and for you to know us too!

First we should say a summers-day hello, and maybe introduce ourselves.

This is our lovely building! We live up on the 3rd floor along with our two gallery spaces. It also houses artist studios which we rent out, and so does our second building, which we like to refer to as the Annex. We also have various classes and drop in sessions, as well as Youth Summer Camps in the Annex. You can check out our website for all of the juicy details. www.harcourthouse.ab.ca

Oh, and here is our little gang! We look forward to many blogging adventures with you in the future. Toodles for now.