Nextfest provides showcase for up-and-coming artists
It’s big, and it’s public. But far from being a scandal, Wei Li’s new outdoor mural aims to spark connection, not controversy, and to forge a link between bustling urban streets and the nearby peace of the river valley.
Located on the west side of the new Varscona Theatre just off Whyte Avenue, the mural, called Free River Over Easy, was designed and executed by West Coast artist Luke Ramsey, best known in Edmonton for his imaginative work on the John Howard Society building on 100 Avenue and 105 Street. Ramsey served as a mentor to Li, giving her guidance on how to construct a major work that must withstand the elements, and be widely viewed by an assortment of folks who may, or may not, know much about art.
“I think it’s definitely a great learning experience for me because this is my first mural,” says Li, a visual artist who just graduated with a fine arts degree from the University of Alberta and works designing games for a game company. “I learned a lot from Luke in the process, like how to handle the paint, and how to design. It’s definitely a great experience after just getting out of school.”
For 22 years, Nextfest has been providing just such opportunities for artists like Li, who are between ages 18 and 30, and have tons of talent, but need a showcase. With a budget of $180,000, this year’s festival is able to provide a forum for some 500 artists in more than 100 shows at nine venues in multiple mediums, including music, poetry, theatre and film. Many of the artists come straight from Edmonton’s numerous artistic training programs, such as the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, Concordia and the Foote Theatre School at the Citadel.
The festival’s director, Ellen Chorley, frets when asked to name some of the highlights of the 11day event, which gets a significant helping hand from Theatre Network and uses The Roxy on Gateway as a major venue.
“It’s like Sophie’s choice,” she says, pointing to big talents in areas from clowning to directing plays.
All the work is new, and original. Fresh this year is an opera extravaganza, a collaboration with Opera Nuova (an emerging opera singers festival). Called Ladies of the Night, it’s slated for Wednesday, June 7, at Cité Francophone.
The dance program is also a very strong component of Nextfest, says Chorley.
This year, it’s been programmed by Good Women Dance Collective and is inspired by three words starting with the same letter: perspective, pivot and propel.
“(Good Women) does a great job of showcasing movement and diversity, and they also do an excellent job of showcasing dancers who are storytellers,” says Chorley.
Nextfest, which operates as a non-profit society and receives significant support from corporate leaders such as Syncrude, provides artists with a significant first opportunity, says Chorley, 32, who was involved in Nextfest when she was but 16, and became its director just last year.
“It’s that first step when you’re getting out of your training program to be taken seriously as an artist. It’s all about promoting them and giving them the chance to create the work they are interested in creating.”
Another benefit of the festival is that it’s a great place to build relationships.
“The people I worked with 10 years ago, I’m still working with now, as an artist who is a little bit more established,” says Chorley, noting there is a lot of cross-disciplinary collaborations at Nextfest.
The festival also offers incredible value. An all-event pass is only $40 and Chorley says the event is programmed so it’s possible to see every performance. Most offerings are within walking distance around Old Strathcona.
All artists are paid, and get a festival pass. Plus there are workshops to aid their education. Artists apply to be part of Nextfest and their work is carefully examined and curated by experts in dance, music, film, visual arts, theatre and poetry.
“It’s a great festival to be a part of,” says Chorley. “We would like to share it with as many people as possible.”
The people I worked with 10 years ago, I’m still working with now, as an artist who is a little bit more established.