URBAN INFILL

Art in the Core 11
25th Mar 2017 - 6th May 2017
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Gala Opening Reception: Sat. March 25th, 7-11pm

400 Artists/18 Projects/25 Locations/2000 Attended Last Year!

smells like Spring… Urban Infill is waking…Celebrating it’s 11th Anniversary year! Experience Thunder Bay transformed by multi-sensory art and unparalleled live performances in this Nuit Blanche-like event.

Revitalizing our downtown by capitalizing on assets of art and culture, and linking/reinforcing connections through accessible empty spaces and existing arts, commercial business/social spaces. With vision and innovative arts and business, we can fill up the empty spaces in our downtown, and help to connect and create that unique niche of an urban arts and entertainment district. ~Re-discover your north core Waterfront District through contemporary art!

Featuring works by 400 regional, national and international multi-disciplinary artists at 25 downtown locations, including DefSup, commercial spaces, art galleries, artist studios, and empty spaces transformed into new art/performance venues. One of the largest presentations of visual and media arts, unique to Thunder Bay.

See “Wearable Art” in window spaces, 9 live bands & DJ’s, Couch Money Karaoke, window art installations, World Dance (Belly Dance, Bhangra & Classical Chinese), performance art, fringe theatre, drag performances, glow & fire spinning street performances, film screenings (incl. 360 degree immersion), interactive window media art installation, Oculus Rift Virtual Reality experience, catered refreshments by Prime Gelato, Sweet Escape Cake Cafe & Bakery, Sushi Bowl and so much more!

Featured Multi-disciplinary Arts:
At DefSup, see critically acclaimed national/international artists:
• Knight of Infinite Resignation -(kinetic/light/multimedia installation) by Diane Landry (Quebec City-One of Canada’s most prominent artists-This extraordinary art experience has travelled the world, not to be missed!);
• A Game of Chess -(14 min. short film-art/ballet/performance work) by Marcel Dzama (Winnipeg/now based in New York City-formerly of The Royal Art Lodge);
• Canadian Contemporary 14-Dr. Chaudhuri Art Collection-{works 14 acclaimed artists, big in the international art scene & featured in major art magazines);
> More info on above exhibitions: http://www.definitelysuperior.com/exhibitions/current/

In the Downtown, Discover…

  • New Temporary Art Galleries: Tomlinson Block (Red River & Cumberland), White Macgillivray Lester LLP (Law Firm 1 Cumberland St. S.), Former Yorgos (234 Red River Rd), The Green Room (Paramount Theatre/Maple Tops Bldg (24 Court St. S), Former Eaton’s Bldg. (250 Park Ave)
  • ~Over 6,000 sq.ft. of new exhibition space!

Featuring works by: LU Visual Art Students, DefSup Members, Die Active/Neechee Studio (new generation art collectives), Confederation College student works: Film Dept (Conflix Films selection) & Interactive Media Development (Oculus Rift Virtual Reality installation/try the VR goggles!), Bay Street Film Festival (360 degree-immersive film experience!).

Commercial Galleries/Spaces: Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, Chenier Fine Arts, Local Colour Art Gallery, Gallery 33/Painted Turtle, Lucy Nova, Espresso Joya, The Walleye, New Day Records, St. Paul Roastery, Prime Gelato, Artist Studios: Lucy Nova & Tomlinson Block (upstairs): Robin Ranger (art+jazz), David Winters, Sam Shahsahabi, DZ Photography (free Social Media Portraits!).

Gala Opening Performances/Features- Sat. March 25th, 7-11pm:
Visiting Artist Talk by Diane Landry at 7:30pm @ DefSup

The first Tours of the evening, leave the gallery shortly thereafter. You can join or leave a tour anytime during the Opening. Performative Tour Guides: Lizzy Lee, Katie Ball, Sara Mackie, Angela June & Melissa Marie.

Wearable Art Window Performances at: Hill City Comics, Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, Perfect Fit Lingerie, Mars.Clothing, The Loop, former Yorgos [234 Red River Rd], White Macgillivray Lester LLP [Law Firm Bldg./1 Cumberland St. S.] and The Green Room (Paramount Theatre/Maple Tops Bldg, 24 Court St. S).

Special Performances:
• Tribal Fusion Belly Dance by Lisa Rose,
• Bhangra (East Indian) dance by World Dance Collective (feat: Lisa Audet, Cassandra Pereira & Chloe Audet),
• Classical Chinese Dance by Lakehead Chinese Folk Dance Group (feat: Wendy Taylor, Jiali Wen & Jane Lam),
• “The Dress” (drawing machine) by Sam Shahsahabi – wearable art/analog drawing machine performance by Jay Chung,
• Drag performances by Amiah Vahjine & Seeley Grey (2016 Wig Wars Queen & King respectively),
• “ShamanZen” – fringe theatre w/ wearable art & music by Elliott Doxtater-Wynn,
• “Vessel” – performance art by Stefani Celine (warning: nudity, access to dedicated performance space is supervised),
• Roaming glow spinning street performances by Dee Marie & The Kidd.

 Live music by: 
• La Reese (pop/rock/upbeat/dance,
• Morning Light (lite) (duo-motown/funk/rock/disco),
• Camden Blues (avant garde post-bop blues/punk rock),
• Robin Ranger (art + jazz-in his new art studio),
• Miss Temperance (DJ-deep house),
• Quintin Golka (electric folk),
• William Roberts aka Mr. Bouzouki & the Rushin’ Percussion (oddly ethnic…Retro Futur…)
• Couch Money Karaoke (audience participation-at New Day Records & St. Paul Roastery-ringleader/artist: Shayne Ehman).

 Special Window Art Installations by:
• Riaz Mehmood & Julie Cosgrove (interactive media art installation -at showcase window-former Eaton’s Bldg, Court & Red River),
• Elizabeth Buset (paper art installation -at former Yorgos-234 Red River)
• Betty Carpick (window curtain w/ toasted bread & thread -at The Walleye-St. Paul St).

Thank you to our Generous Urban Infill Supporters!
-Series Sponsor: The Waterfront District BIA
-Donors of Empty Spaces/New Urban Infill Galleries:
-JP Northern Corporation / Tomlinson Block [Red River & Cumberland],
-White Macgillivray Lester LLP [Law Firm Bldg.; 1 Cumberland St. S.];
– Sandpaul Investments / Former Yorgos [234 Red River Rd];
-The Green Room (Paramount Theatre/Maple Tops Bldg, 24 Court St. S.);
– MDM Developers / Former Eaton’s Bldg. (corner of Red River Rd. & Court St.].
-Photographers: Flashback Photo, Kirvan Photography, Keegan Richard, Patrick Chondon, The Walleye.
– Media Sponsors: The Chronicle Journal, The Walleye – Thunder Bay’s Arts & Culture Magazine, LU Radio – CILU 102.7 FM, TBshows.com.

 Pics from Last Year