Art for all
Independent artists and their work, community space on display in first ever Harbour Front Art Jam
While the work of many talented local artists is on display at art galleries in and around the St. John’s metro region, there’s a lot of independent artists who don’t have that option.
Ali Rideout feels that a lot of them find it hard to find a home in the galleries out of fear of rejection and, in some case, that there’s “bourgeoisie attitude that art is for a select few.”
“I really believe art is for everybody,” says the multimedium artist and organizer of this Friday and Saturday’s first ever Harbour Front Art Jam at the Neal Building in downtown St. John’s. “My goal with what I’m doing is to make art more accessible for the community and for those I feel that need it most.
“I believe there’s so much talent here in the city that’s not being highlighted because of the lack of space or platform to exhibit without fear of judgement.”
The event features 11 local artists showcasing their work in the community space and actually creating pieces of art on location.
“There’s a couple of people who are a little bit afraid, but they’re going to do it anyway,” says Rideout, who will be joined by woodworker Denis Mugford and clothing designer Andria Edison of Angelle Apparel in
creating on the spot.
“To a certain extent, we’re a part of the exhibit.”
Other artists taking part in the Art Jam include Clem Curtis, Irene Duma, Karen Hanlon, Jenny Dearing, Sarah Stockley, Jim Shebib and Ritchie Perez, who’ll be making his first showing.
During Friday night’s session — running from 5 to 9 p.m. and
featuring DJ Slim Macho supplying beats — there’s also a fashion show featuring Angelle Apparel and some products from Rideout’s own Ever Smile brand, which she’s formally launching at the event. (Saturday’s hours are noon to 6 p.m.)
“Through Ever Smile, my goal is to have an online art collective, so local and fair-trade art,” explains Rideout.
All the art on site — including what’s created over the two-day event — will be available for sale.
Rideout is also aiming to make it a family friendly event.
“I’m going to have some tables set up where kids can come and draw and I’m going to have some canvas set up that I’m going to encourage the community to participate with.”
The event also serves as promotion for the viability of Soloman’s Path, a creative innovation hub that offers temporary, flexible space to artists, startups, theatre groups and community organizations, among others. There’ll even be someone on hand to educate visitors on the history the Neal Building.
“We want to build a community-led shared workspace, specifically structured to foster entrepreneurship, creativity and contribution,” explains Rideout.
“If there was space for us to use more often, we could support each other more and don’t necessarily have to be in our own little studios.”
The event also serves as a food drive for Bridge to Hope. Admission is free, but Rideout is strongly encouraging the donation of non-perishable food.
“The food bank is dangerously low this time of year. I thought, as a community, we could do something to help with that.”
If you’re not able to make it this weekend, a second bigger and more accessible Harbour Front Art Jam is already in the works for this fall.
To find out more about the event, search for Harbour Front Art Jam on Facebook or contact Rideout through her Rideout Fine Art Facebook page.