Artist residency will add shape to growing arts community

The Charlotte Street Arts Centre (CSAC) invites New Brunswickers to come together and welcome Ned Bear as the Artist-in-Residence. His month-long journey at CSAC is supported by a recent grant achievement through artsnb.

Extending National Aboriginal Day celebrations, the community event held to honour Ned Bear will also serve to recognize our diverse Canadian identity and to rejoice in the vibrancy of our artistic and cultural history in New Brunswick. Traditional First Nations foods and activities, local music, and a chance to meet and speak with the artist make this event one not to be missed.

While most of Ned Bear’s outdoor installations have been created in a forest setting, left for accidental discovery, it’s not by chance that he will arrive at the CSAC. Carrying a wealth of wisdom and almost three decades of practical experience as a professional artist, Bear will serve as an important resource for CSAC, and local artists, during his residency.

Bear’s Pawakan installation art is guided by a deep sense of spiritual values and a connection to the organic. Pawakan are spirit helpers known historically for their lifelong guidance over the Plains Cree people. During his time at the CSAC, Bear will have the space to prepare for his upcoming exhibition at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. At the close of his residency, Ned Bear will add to the cultural ambiance of CSAC’s newly developing Culture Garden by installing a new permanent sculpture.  This Pawakan will be formed from one the CSAC’s 1884 wooden beams, which was used in the original construction of the building.

All are welcome to join us for the launch of Ned Bear’s residency at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre on Saturday, June 25th, from 1-3pm, and to share in the wealth of culture in our province.

Amanda Jardine writes for the Charlotte Street Arts Centre in Fredericton.