It’s been a busy time, obviously. Was fortunate to be appointed Arts Centre Programmer for the new Shenkman Arts Centre. Lots of work to do before the opening next spring.

Was hoping to have some artwork ready for the Arteast jury yesterday, but, in spite of having started three paintings, the time for proper concentration wasn’t there. I’m trying to get at least one new piece finished for the next Arts Ottawa East show deadline, which is tomorrow. May not get anything done in time for that either.

It’s great to be working full-time now, but, between the job and family, there’s little art time left. I’ll have to make some adjustments.

Just dropped off 6 of my paintings that were accepted for the next Cube Gallery group show – Black & White. The opening is this coming Friday night, May 9. It starts at 7:30 pm and will go until late, which is good, because I will be at the Young at Art East Ottawa awards ceremony in Orléans at that time. I’ll have to zoom out of there to get down to Cube around 10:00 pm. There should be a few extra people out and about that night; Stafford Studios are having an open house that night, too.

]]> http://miketaylor.ca/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=161 0 http://miketaylor.ca/wordpress/?p=148 http://miketaylor.ca/wordpress/?p=148#comments Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:08:15 +0000 Mike http://miketaylor.ca/wordpress/?p=148 Well, it’s been quite a while since I’ve had a chance to check in here. The new building is coming up nicely.

Looking from the West.

From the South, across the street.

You can see where the main theatre seating will be. Downstairs, on the bottom right, is where the black box theatre will be.

Taken from the Royal Bank parking lot to the west of us. You can see the supports for those big forms that will become the walls.

As you can see, progress is being made in the construction of our l’il ol’ arts centre. Every day I go to work and marvel at the changes. I’ve got a lot of respect for the workers who are out in any kind of weather, the contractors who somehow manage to build things that are level and join together where they’re supposed to and the (local) architects who have come up with such a unique design.

We had a meeting last week to discuss lighting for the exhibition spaces. It’s all kind of surreal. People are excited about the project — there’s an aura around it that is slowly becoming a kind of power shield. It’s definitely magical.

Sure these big projects cost money, but the benefits of this centre will far exceed the cost in dollars. I have no doubt that many new opportunities will blossom from this town centre project.