07/01/2025
Those of you who know Artists Own know that we are a very small business that has - since 1992 - supported Alberta art and artists...with a focus on Jasper arts.
But did you know that in the past 23 years we expanded our support for Alberta arts to include studio tours, documentary shorts on artists and arts related events like guest speakers and retreats.
While 'homeless' Artists Owns framing services are pretty much on hold. Hard to continue to offer the services we used to from a tool box that resides in the car.
When I say we - I mean myself and my partner who has done everything from move my frame shop twice since 2002, to building display walls for the shop(s) to following me into poverty (close at times) while we chase artists around Alberta.
We were noticed...we were finalists for Travel Media Awards by the Globe and Mail. CBC radio hosted our dreams a few times, Alberta Film recognized us as finalists for a Rosie award and even Tourism Industry of Canada saw the value in promoting AB arts and culture. We even curated an exhibition related to something dear to us (caribou) that traveled from Banff to the Royal Alberta Museum.
We traveled to Ottawa and Calgary and told the AB arts & culture story to tourism conferences - we setup temporary exhibits in spaces like abandoned buildings (even that little white CN building by the tracks housed a watercolour exhibit of - what else? trains by Jasper artists Alan Butler)
AND then in 2009 we fought for a dedicated space for art and artists in Jasper. Today - 16 years later - its still there. Its designed for exploration and engagement cuz without that we felt we could lose future artists.
SO
While I frame on your kitchen table I still dream (our PBS doc was even called Dreamers and Doers!).
Exciting ideas are brewing for 2026 and while i wince at the thought of heading back into art$ promotion$ - I am pretty excited to getting back out into Alberta and going to artists collectives and festivals and ... never know what we might find this time!
But for today...we shall simply enjoy Canada Day.
If in Jasper...head for Centennial Park!
So honoured to have The James Gang drummers (JGD) joining us!
The James Gang were formed with family members in the early 2000’s in Grande Cache.
James Wanyandie, who was a prominent member of the community, wanted to start a drum group so he put the word out.
After James suddenly passed away, the family continued in what he started and completed a CD in James honor. Today, the JGD continue to drum and often get invited to sing outside of our community. “The drum represents our heartbeats and brings the spirit back to life.”
Check out the link below to listen to them sing and share their knowledge. 🦅
https://youtu.be/N09p8oLJ8mU?si=4wcJZJHjfYJmAgBp
