Join Me in Cloud 9

Now it's Saturday, and I'm still in cloud 9 reminiscing the great week that I had.

My art exhibit called Colours of Hope is an awareness campaign for the arts program of Siloam Mission- a humanitarian organization that provides a variety of programs and services free-of-charge to people experiencing homelessness and poverty in the city of Winnipeg.

The art exhibit started February 18 and went on until the 24th (but closed on Sunday) at The Edge Gallery on 611 Main Street. The exhibit had at least 200 visitors and they all came from different backgrounds and places. It's heart-warming to see the eagerness of these people who wanted to know what the exhibit was all about; but most specifically, curious of what our patron-artists (homeless artists) can do in the field of visual arts.

I had never thought that the exhibit would draw this much crowd. It attracted media attention and the event was all over the television, radio, and print. It was exciting to see that this was also publicized immenseley in different sites. Some of which I didn't ask to promote in the first place. Looking back, now I can remember that some of the people from these organizations are people I met long time ago.

There is a great sense of community here in our city and I am proud to be a Winnipegger. The event not only saw the artworks of patron-artists who have something to give back to the community, but as well as fascinating paintings by renowned local artists including Jackie Traverse, Patrick Ross, Jordan Miller, Lana Winfield, and promising artists Andrea Caron and Josie Hofer (a Hutterite).

The art exhibit concluded with an art auction night (it's only then that I realized that I was doing two projects) and it saw more than 60 people. I have all the names, and I am definitely sure that there were at least 60 people. The program was hosted by Winnipeg Sun's Laurie Mustard who charismatically handled the program with great ease. Bill Knight of Bill Knight Flooring & Carpets was our program's auctioneer. There were many heart-warming moments during that night's event. Frankly, it's not easy to hold an art auction; moreso, a LIVE auction. But we were successful because we were able to sell 7 out of the 11 paintings in the live auction and it made our featured artists really happy. What's so important about that very cold night (I think it was the coldest night this week) was the great expression of community among our guests. They braved the cold and the dark streets of downtown Winnipeg, just to show their support for the city's homeless and impoverished population.

I only have great words for each and every person who was there. I myself was so touched by the great support of everyone. I would be writing more about this in my next post. At the meantime, join with me in cloud 9 and have a sense of excitement building up; as even though this event is over, the impact it created will surely linger on and hopefully, will open to new doors.

Sometimes What People Need is a Second Chance

Anyone who lives in a very supportive environment can say that their success in life is brought about by the love and support of people around them. This is especially true for anyone who is surrounded by such wonderful people—but what about for those who hardly have any kind of support at all? For them, growing up was tough; every single day was mere survival; and the future didn’t look promising at all.


There are people in our lives who need a certain kind of support whether that be material, moral, emotional, or even spiritual. Sometimes it’s quite obvious to know if a person is in need of material support but oftentimes, it takes a lot of skill and a certain ‘gift’ to discern if a person is in genuine need.


I had my fair share of experiences with people who benefited from what I have to offer and there’s simply no complaining on my part—I understand the true meaning of giving without asking for anything in return. Once I was carried away by my feeling of discouragement and told myself that I won’t be ‘too generous’ next time around because of how certain individuals took advantage of my sincerity and generosity. But I’ve learned along the way that sometimes we just need to understand and give that unconditional love in the hope that the person concerned will be transformed. Most often we may not see any kind of transformation at all but if our efforts are all taken together to change people’s lives in our community, I think the idea of continuing our work is worth the risk.


For people who are broken and struggling with life’s challenges, they are the ones who need our help. For all of us who are in a better position, we just have to step forward and extend that helping hand. After all, sometimes what people need is a second chance to make it through and we can make that happen.

Appreciating Abstract

Art. What is it, really?

In my visual dialogue class today, we started discussing about sculpture as a form of art.  We had the pleasure of looking at photocopied pictures of several well-known and famous sculptures from the past by great artists like Michaelangelo and Rodin but our discussion focused around and gave an analysis of Michaelangelo's "David," which is a sculpted representation of the biblical hero of the same name.

I can discuss in great lengths why the particular version of David by Michaelangelo (which was carved out of marble stone) is very disproportionate in terms of its anatomy and on why we think (as discussed by our instructor) that marble may not be an ideal material to work on for this heroic sculpture.

Looking at art in a particular way is very relative- in a way that it is very subjective and quite personal. I like looking at sculptures and simply admiring the details put on by the artist, to best emulate the real thing. In paintings, you can see a lot of different subjects being used by the artists. From human portraits to skyscraper buildings, the choices are simply endless. But not all paintings or even sculptures depict their original subjects the way they are actually seen by our naked eyes. Abstract paintings for one relies on the interpretation of the artist. This doesn't simply fall under surrealism, but abstract paintings is categorized on its own. Look at the great artist Picasso's work, and you'll know what I mean.

In our exhibit "Colours of Hope--an art exhibit & auction event to benefit Siloam Mission," one of our Winnipeg artists by the name of Lana Winfield will show a few of her abstract artworks. Her paintings delve into  topics like women's issues, body image, global warming, depression, religion, and even history. A graduate from the University of Manitoba with a diploma in art, Winfield shows her compassion to our city's homeless by being part of this exciting event.

Winfield's untitled paintings can be interpreted in various ways. Just because that it doesn't give you a full picture of an actual thing, doesn't necessarily mean that her paintings don't depict actual life itself. In fact, I am challenged to look at abstract art in a different level and try to bring out the emotions and thoughts depicted through  the artwork.

If you are interested to have a look at a couple of Winfield's paintings, come to the "Colours of Hope" and experience our interesting array of original artworks from our different artists.

Be "Cherry" With Author Matt Duggan on This Friday's Reading Series

Whenever there is a new writer that comes along (at least for me), one question I would often ask is—what kind of stuff does he write? Before entering the Creative Communications program at Red River College, I was the type of reader who had ‘settled down’ to reading books that suited my liking. I preferred inspirational books and lots of ‘feel good’ books over murder-themed novels. I assume that you already have an idea what these books are!

In the past two years of being in the program, I have re-learned how to ‘expand’ the kinds or genres of books that I read from historically drawn themes to contemporary present day murder stories. To read such books brings me to a higher level of appreciation for such works of literature. Just like in gourmet food, reading books of different themes from different authors, enriches one’s palette and brings fullness to one’s soul.

On February 4, author Matt Duggan will be our guest writer at the CreComm Reading Series. The CreComm Reading Series curated by K.I. Press, brings writers of all genres to Winnipeg. Opening acts are current and former CreCommers with creative works-in-progress. Matt Duggan will be reading at 10 a.m. in Room P107, Roblin Centre at the Exchange District Campus, 160 Princess Street, Winnipeg. He will also be reading at 7 p.m. in Aqua Books, 274 Garry Street.

My fellow CreCommer Greg Berg, will be the opening act for author Matt Duggan. Greg Berg is an aspiring writer who is still working on his YA novel entitled, Our Glass, for his Independent Professional Project at Red River College. If everything goes well, Greg Berg plans to have his novel published by the end of this year. Greg Berg’s novel sounds very promising. It is one work that I will surely look forward to, and include in my collection of contemporary writings should it reach its publication.

But for now, Matt Duggan is someone that we should check out. He wrote a novel called, The Royal Woods, which is a tall tale for children set in a suburban subdivision of a prairie city. This was nominated for The Moonbeam Award and the Silver Birch Award. His latest work, Cherry Electra, is about a dirty cottage weekend that culminates in murder. Quill and Quire describe it as “satisfying bit of country-cottage gothic.”

Matt Duggan is a graduate of Churchill High School and currently teaches high school in Toronto. He is delighted to be back here in Winnipeg and have the opportunity to read his latest novel. So if you are in for a new journey in literary writing and would like to know more about Cherry Electra, come on down to either of the reading sessions at Red River College or at Aqua Books. Let’s give Matt Duggan the floor and let him read from his latest work. I believe that he has something to offer to anyone who would take the time to listen, and be more knowledgeable of the kind of writing he does. I have a good feeling that I will be in a for an interesting treat this Friday.