Getting AAMPed up for ARTFUSiON Week
By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Mount Pearl residents will have more than a week to connect with the creative side of their community – and themselves – with the ARTFUSion Arts Week taking place September 19 – 28.
Christine Hennebury of the Association for the Arts in Mount Pearl (AAMP) said the majority of activity will take place at The Annex, a shared space with the Admiralty House Communications Museum, but that there will be satellite activities at other locations as well.
“We’re actually being very creative with the definition of a week because we’re going from the 19th to the 28th because we had so many cool things to do that we had to expand beyond the borders of a week,” Hennebury said.
She added AAMP is proud to help showcase the work of professional local artists, but that the group also wishes to create opportunities for residents to find their own creative connections.
“Now lots of times when you hear the Association for the Arts you’re thinking about professional artists, and we do indeed have lots of professional artists, but really our focus as an organization is on creativity, on making the arts accessible to everyone,” Hennebury said. “So, there’s always something you can enjoy. Even if you want to come and colour with crayons on a piece of canvas – best kind – as long as you’re having a good time. It’s not about being very good. It’s about having fun, losing yourself for those few minutes in that art project.”
The schedule kicks off September 19 with Crafternoon from 1 – 4 p.m. at The Annex, followed by Artsy Game Night from 7 – 9 p.m. September 20 includes the HEAVYNL Punk Show at The Annex from 1 – 5 p.m. and Let’s Make Zines at The Annex from 7 – 9 p.m.
Daytime activities on September 26 will be hosted at satellite sites, including rock painting with the Kinette Club from 2 – 4 p.m. and kids’ activities with the Lions Club with the time and location to be determined.
ARTFUSiON itself takes place on Sunday, September 27 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., which includes performers, art vendors and children’s activities, and new this year is a joy walk, which will involve a jaunt around the Admiralty grounds with a series of small participatory activities.
“There’ll be a little dance number you can participate in, community art projects … just anything that will spark a little bit of joy,” Hennebury said.
City Council declared at its September 8 public meeting that September 19 – September 28 is to be Arts Week in the City of Mount Pearl.
“Whereas creativity and artistic expression can be part of every life, whether as an artist, audience member, or fan, whereas participation in the arts is known to increase happiness, relaxation, well-being, and life satisfaction, whereas everyone has the right to explore their creativity to the fullest in whatever capacity they choose, whereas the Citizens of Mount Pearl are becoming increasingly engaged in the arts and in the activities of the Association for the Arts in Mount Pearl, whereas it is widely recognized that investment in the arts increases the appeal and the economic viability of a community,” said Mayor Dave Aker, “I encourage all citizens to use this week to find ways to participate in the arts and enhance their creativity either on their own or through the Arts Week and ARTFUSiON Festival events offered by the Association for the Arts in Mount Pearl.”