By Hilary Potosnak, AGGV Exhibition Facilitator
“Open Doors to Art” is a new recurring program that I am running at your Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV). The intention of the series is to clear away inhibitions and help expand the public’s experiences with the art on display by offering everyone a memorable and engaging experience with the works.
Encounter is a quarterly event developed by the AGGV Education Department to enhance learning and social opportunities for adults who love art and love talking about art. Participants discover new ideas and connections to art and through art, within the context of an exhibition on show at the Gallery.
In recent times, mural art has played a significant role in public engagement projects in cities around the world, with artists and the local community collaborating for a cause.
Every year, the AGGV’s New Extreme Program pairs local artists with groups of youths at schools in a unique art mentoring program. This year, with invaluable support from the RBC Emerging Artists Project, Lydia Beauregard, Raphael Divi, Kerri Flanagan and Cameron Kidd took on the challenge with amazing results that inspired both themselves and the groups of teens with whom they collaborated.
“As with every Urbanite, our goal as event organizers is to invite the community to come back to the AGGV at night, to explore, dance, and play!” Julia Pauselius, AGGV Facility and Events Coordinator.