youth are awesome.com

Image courtesy CCIS

Head to Art Central’s Studio C this month to check out Echoing the Youth Experience, a mixed-media exhibit which features newcomer youth art.

The project provided an opportunity for immigrant youth to gather and benefit from one another’s artistic expressions. The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) put together the pieces from their youth art project, contest and art shops. There were no designated mediums, colour choices, techniques used or methods desired – youth were given the freedom to create anything they desired.

The exhibit runs until September 30, 2010.

Celebrate youth culture on Saturday, Sept. 4 at the FUSE Young Culture Festival. This free outdoor celebration at Shaw Millennium Park includes original art, music, dance and skateboarding.

There’s more than $1,000 in prizes to be won in breakdancing and skateboarding competitions (free registration between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.).

The event is put on by C.A.K.E. Young Artists’ Society (Community + Arts + Knowledge Engaged). Their mandate is to promote the future of Calgary’s creative culture and support talented, local young emerging artists.

Activities run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This is Part 2 of the Awesome Youth in Profile: Erica Ho, Unstoppable Believer. Part 1 can be read here.

YAA: Provide some advice, about life in general or about high school or about discovery of one’s self.

Erica: One of the most regretful experiences of my life so far was not doing something. So my advice is to always do. The more that gets done, the more that is learned. And speaking of learning, always keeps an open mind because that’s when everything once gloomy becomes beautiful. Oh, and never let anyone tell you to “chill out dude” because in the end, each second of hard or stressful work put in will lead to a reward unlike anything else!

I’ve had many self discoveries, but I think one that is the most significant is actually my self re-discovery. There were many moments in high school when I struggled with what I wanted to do after I graduated, but in the end I realized that the things we loved doing, and I mean like TRULY LOVED DOING, when we were small will stay with us forever. I re-discovered myself, and now, I know I won’t regret what I do in the future.

YAA: Describe what you are planning to pursue after high school.

Erica: Film studies. Unsure of what occupation, but if you love what you learn, there will always be something made for you.

YAA: What is it that you love about life and why.

Erica: Through all the pain, suffering, unfairness, blood and tears, life is beautiful. A beautiful disaster. The world isn’t perfect because it wasn’t meant to be. Everyone has a different way of seeing things and different ideas. This makes life difficult. The world however also gives happiness, joy and love. Now life is looked upon as dark chocolate. Bittersweet. I love that life holds so many surprises and when you pay attention you realize that everything and everyone is actually connected. It’s empowering when sharing or hearing stories from each other, and it’s magical when delicate beings like butterflies land right on your fingertips. To me, life starts when you’re born and the first thing you see, hear and feel is already a million reasons to be satisfied with life.

YAA: Describe your personality.

Erica: Not naturally good at anything. Tries hard and never rejects. Artistic, emotional, sensitive, determined, brave, flexible, weird and simply complex. I have roles I like to play in life. I can be the helper, the friend, the inspirer, the superstar, (laughs) anything that fits with the moment and the person I’m with.

I also like to make things complicated for myself. I love multi-tasking and can’t stand slowness. Sometimes I can be really abstract, but most of the time I’m really realistic (I need to be if I want something impossible to happen!) I dream a lot, I let myself day dream throughout the day. I could never hurt anyone or anything. It’s easy for me to let things go, and I never really miss too many things. I laugh hideously and I love it. And I’m full of secrets that will never be told, because those secrets are what makes everyone unique.

YAA: Do you believe you are a good role model for other youths? If so, why, and do you believe you affect others in a positive way?

Erica: I think something I do for other youth, and for anyone really, is I listen. I listen and try my hardest to really hear what they mean to say. A lot of the time, action speaks more than words. A picture is worth a thousand words.

YAA: Why do you think I considered you to be an awesome youth?

Erica: I put myself out there and am not afraid to be destroyed. I enhance my flaws and try my best to inspire others to shine.

YAA: If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change?

Erica: The world’s obsession over money.

YAA: If you could relive any part of your life, or a moment, what would it have been and why?

Erica: The moments of make belief as a child. I still do it now but those character’s my childhood friends and I became, and those stories we made together were more than phenomenal. Things I wish I wrote as a child and kept until now.

YAA: What do you hope to gain through your pursuing your passions?

Erica: More perspectives than I have already.

YAA: Why do you choose to be who you are?

Erica: Because I can laugh at myself, cry with myself, dream of amazing things, and because I can.

YAA: If there are any questions that I have not asked, but you would like to answer, feel free to! And any last words?

Erica: Screwing up is a part of experimenting. Experimenting is a part of making something come true.
Having flaws is a way of connecting.
Lisachino is my favorite part of the day (=

YAA: This strong willed youth and independent over achiever, lives life to the fullest by realizing with unprecedented maturity that hard work to achieve new perspectives, is not only necessary, but is the path to experiencing happiness, joy and love. Her zest for knowledge, voluntarily attending IB theory of knowledge (TOK) classes, empowers her sensitive and complex perspectives on life. Having just completed a multitude of classes in the fine arts program at Lester B Pearson High School, this future student in film studies, is an inspiration to people across the globe, emplifying amazing self discipline and faith pursuing her passions and dreams, as Erica calls for other youths to use your hearts and not your heads.

This incredible triple threat performer allows the creative genius of art, music and life to influence and guide her wholehearted passions for the fine arts to incredible heights. However, this doesn’t prevent this realistic dreamer from compulsively volunteering her time to many things, be it animals, people (young and old) or the environment.

I’m extremely proud and privileged to introduce my philosophical mentor and this Pearson graduate, Erica Ho, and her inspirational views and advice on self discovery, life and success.

Erica Ho

YAA: Give a couple adjectives that describe you.

Erica: “Love at first sight” or “unstoppable believer.”

YAA: Describe your involvement at Pearson.

Erica: Oh boy. For three years, I’ve been an active member of the Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz, Women’s Choir and Choral class at Pearson. I’m also a writer for the school newspaper (often writing about upcoming events and performances in the fine arts department), Speech Club competitor and REGIONAL CHAMPION WINNER (for solo acting), and was Leadership Co- Chair (which I was involved in pretty much organizing and carried all of the school’s events: Terry Fox Run, Spirit Week, Breakfast of Champions, etc.).

Also having been Parent Council meeting representative, drama kid, musical theatre performer, dance performer, choral performer, and unless I’ve forgotten something, I think that’s most of my involvement at Pearson.

YAA: Describe your involvement in your community.

Erica: I was a member of Youth Training and Action (YTA) through the Red Cross, in partnership with All Nations Theater, a program that promotes youth to share, expand and act upon actions and ideas to deal with local and global humanitarian issues. I’m also an active volunteer with CCCSA (with various types of task such as helping, performing, and visiting seniors, city clean ups, etc.) and mentored children through the Calgary Public Library. I love caring for cats, bunnies, and hopefully dogs one day at the Calgary Humane Society. I also answer the teen line at the Distress Centre for those in need of support and advice.

YAA: Name any notable achievements or awards you have earned.

Erica: Appreciation and helping others are my real achievements. The only awards I’ve ever earned proudly were those related to music: Vocal Jazz 15 award, Concert Choir 35 award and Choral 20 awards.

YAA: Describe why you believe you are successful.

Erica: I never stop moving, growing and learning. I’ve felt that I’ve touched the hearts of many as they have for mine, and I never stop believing in the possibilities of the impossible.

YAA: Describe what inspires you to live your lifestyle, and why. How did it get this far?

Erica: People inspire me. The artistic, creative, and just pure genius and wonderful things that people do. Whether it be picking up garbage off the ground, or holding the door for someone, or finding a cure for a disease – in the end the world is connected. I truly believe that no matter how bad somebody is being looked at, or how many sins someone has committed, in the end, everyone is beautiful, emotional and pure.

YAA: Share a favourite memory that was at Pearson, a moment that had inspired you or a moment when you experienced success.

Erica: Musical Theater. Performing and being able to have the chance to become a different character and really move the audience is a memory and a gift.

YAA: Describe some of your hobbies or what you like to do in your spare time.

Erica: I love exploring music. I love feeling the intensity each artist provides through their amazing music. Video gaming is also huge part of my life, and has been since I was a young girl. Anything from first person shooting games to adventure to strategy games. I also love films. I like reading on film theory and visioning different scenes out of random. Hopefully I will come out with a short film, and many more mini projects as well! I really love learning about nature. Be it animals of the ocean, astronomy or even bugs. I just love learning about the natural things that happen all around us! And I could go on forever about the endless projects I dive into such as scrapbooking, photography and singing. In the future I plan to make sky diving, paragliding and many other similar sports a regular hobby.

Watch for Part 2 of my interview with Erica tomorrow!

GlobalFest 2010 will be an explosive fireworks festival that will bring different countries together to compete against each other to produce a huge and spectacular display of fireworks! Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain will compete this year to try to produce the grandest choreographed display of fireworks, with an extra element- the compulsory musical piece, Grand Pas de Deux form Ludwig Minkus’ Don Quixote to be incorporated- contributing to these pyromusicals being entirely unique global premiers. GlobalFest’s aim is to showcase our community’s cultural and artistic diversity within Calgary and around the world, appealing as a fantastic international destination for everyone.

What’s new this year to GlobalFest is the OneWorld International Night Market, a non-fireworks night where you can come to Elliston Park, which will be free to public to access, and explore the tents set up to display and sell art and merchandise from around the globe!

Located at Elliston Park, with entrances located at the corner of 17^th (International) Avenue and 60^th Street SE and the festival operating between 6 pm-11:15 pm, tickets are still available online at www.globalfest.ca , so come down and check out GlobalFest!

Here’s the fantastic line-up:

Friday, August 20- Germany (Opening)

Sunday, August 22- Italy

Tuesday, August 24- Portugal

Thursday, August 26- Spain

Saturday, August 28- Finale

But what can be better than simply enjoying the park and watching a brilliant display of glittering lights in the sky reflected off an immense and sparkling lake? When you can VOLUNTEER and be part of a celebration of one of Calgary’s unique festivals celebrating cultural diversity and art! You enjoy many other added benefits of volunteering with GlobalFest, such as a free GlobalFest shirt, parking, snacks and drinks during your shift and a site pass (for access to all five nights of the fireworks). Find out more at www.globalfest.ca!

I know I’m going to enjoy being involved in this fabulous festival; I’ve got placed at the Kiddie Korral, but how about you?

Image credits:

GlobalFest logo: http://www.ama.ab.ca/cps/rde/xchg/ama/web/savings_Global-Fest-12484.htm?link=txt

GlobalFest display: http://www.skagit.edu/directory.asp_Q_pagenumber_E_462

Gloabfest logo: http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/events/GlobalFest/3300763/story.html

Remember when you were a wee lil’ kid? You used to get these magical sticks of colour that you could use to vandalize your school yard… nah, just jokes, we definitely didn’t vandalize (didn’t, as well as don’t, juuust to clear that up). Anyway, there are some amazing artists out there who have taken it to the next level… one in particular, is Julian Beever.

Since the mid 90s, Julian Beever has been all up on the business of sidewalk chalk art. Wikipedia tells me he is a freelance artist who also creates murals for companies and has worked in 15 countries or so! Some of his works of art are shown below:

Each piece takes around a week to complete, and only last until the first hard rainfall. To me, that seems like an awful amount of work for something that won’t stick around for long… therefore I seriously admire Beever’s passion. =]

Want to see more of Beever’s work? See a video of him in action here, check out his website here, or go straight to a gallery of his sidewalk artwork here!

Images courtesy http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm

Philosophical observer, but by no means passive, an incredible artist that magically paints and draws the world to her own accord, and a fantastic soprano, sharing her talent by lending her voice to Vocal Jazz and Concert choir, Carmen Khuu’s passionate interests in the Fine Arts could be seen as anything but narrow.

Read on to find out more about this Pearson graduate, Carmen Khuu’s, and her inspirational opinions and advice on self discovery, life, and success.

Lisa:  Please provide a quote, inspirational, happy, doesn’t matter.

Carmen: “The most wasted days is that on which one has not laughed.” – Nicholas Chamfort,
“True masters are those who have chosen to make a life rather than making a living.”- Neale Donald Walsch (Conversations With God)

Lisa:  Give an adjective that describes you, followed by a characteristic that describes you.

Carmen: Philosophical Spectator

Lisa: Describe your involvement at Pearson.

Carmen: For the past three years, I have been involved in extra-curricular activities such as Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz.

Lisa: Describe your involvement in your community.

Carmen: I am part of a Red Cross program called Youth Training and Action, which is open to all youth to share and expand their ideas concerning both the local and global community. Through YTA, I have conveyed my opinions and concerns to the community by being involved with artistic projects such as photography, performing in various drama skits and creating visual art. I have also worked with All Nations theatre to create a skit that was performed in the annual Global Fest 2009. Also, as of recent, I have volunteered to create a mural for the Village Square Leisure Centre.

Lisa:  Name any notable achievements or awards you have earned.

Carmen: I completed IB Art, and have received a Certificate of Achievement from the Canadian Red Cross for my involvement with YTA.

Lisa: Describe why you believe you are successful.

Carmen: I believe that I have achieved success by being able to express my thoughts effectively through different types of media. Being able to tell stories and to open a window to a new perspective for other people feel very gratifying, especially if I know that I am able to change or alter a person’s life for the better, no matter of how little significance it makes.

Lisa: Describe what inspires you to live your lifestyle, and why. How did it get this far?

Carmen: Honestly, it started off as passive, nonchalant acts, because my initial thoughts were that it had no negative consequences for me. But what has caused me to go beyond the surface, and what has became a big inspiration for me are my friends; they were the ones who have inspired me to live the way I do, and, in my opinion, they give so much to the community and are such a positive influence in my life. The reason that I could get this far is because of the unconditional support and guidance of these close friends.

Lisa: Share a favourite memory that was at Pearson, a moment that had inspired you or a moment when you experienced success.

Carmen: The evening of our IB Art show has been, and will always be, a treasured memory of mine. I felt very successful knowing that my art was able to provoke thoughts and to stir up emotions from the viewers.

Lisa:  Describe some of you hobbies or what you like to do in your spare time.

Carmen: My spare time is wasted on the usual teen-y stuff. Whenever I don’t feel like exerting much brain-power or energy, (which is the majority of the time,) I am usually watching TV or on the computer (After all these years, I still love Spongebob!)

On some occasions, I enjoy reading – lately, I have been into reading non-fictional books concerning psychology. As for hobbies, I love the arts and literature, and whenever I am hit with a bolt of creativity, I will either sketch or write in order to let it out (most of my art and writing are half-processed thoughts because I usually get side-tracked…) Also, I have been trying to carry around my digital camera so that I can capture shots of anything that tickles my interest when I’m out of the house (I’m aiming for the professional, better-than-real-life cameras one day!) Ever since I’ve joined Concert Choir, I have been gutsy enough to belt out songs in the heat of the moment (not sure if you consider that a hobby…), and I have also been trying to learn to play the piano. A strange hobby that I have is to collect things – I’m such a pack rat, but I love to collect sheet music and (MP3) music. I also search for quotes and keep them in my ‘database’, and I love collecting cosmetics, even though I barely use them (so… much… colours!) …I don’t think you really needed to know of the latter of the “hobbies”… sorry for getting carried away! (Haha!)

Lisa: Describe what you are passionate about.

Carmen: If you haven’t realized from previous answers, I love the fine arts! Ever since I was a child, I loved to draw and colour, and on several occasions, I have wanted to become an artist. My fondness of the arts grew as I mature, and I developed a love for English literature, music (including, yes, classical music!) and photography. I find it ironic and somewhat funny that everything I found “boring” as a child has become the things that now gives meaning to my life!

(more…)

The new health craze these days is Light Art! Low fat goodness for your eyes! Take a look:

The trick to this one is leaving the shutter open for long periods of time and “drawing” in the air with a light. Here’s a tutorial!

I stumbled across the other day… and for some reason it really stuck with me. It is a painting done by Andre Jordan, titled Extraordinary Mind.

If this catches your interest, you can check out the rest of his work on his website. I actually own his book, Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, although I’m not sure why…I think I bought it on a whim a while back. =]

This painting/quote is simple and to the point…do you find it meaningful?

Last Tuesday and Thrusday of last week, there was a spectacular show of art work presented by the grade 12 art IB students. Being good friends with many of the artists, I attended both art shows to show my support; besides, I was also curious as to the art pieces my talented friends had created. Conforming a regular classroom into a makeshift art gallery, splendid and breath taking art greeted my eyes as I first walked into the room. Cakes and drinks were served at a table upfront, and wide corridors and carefully arranged art displays allowed many students, parents, and teachers to view different sections of the art show. All the artists claimed different portions of the room to display their art, and were fortunately present beside their art pieces, happily answering questions and explaining their mental processes throughout the creation of the art pieces. These art students are not your average passive painter, or run of the mill sketcher; these art IB students are dilligent, hardworking, and extremely gifted artists that are expected to spend hours after school, at lunch, in the mornings, to create their amazing studio art work, all planned and recorded in their art journals. These art journals are required to be filled with the artist’s perspective’s of works by other artists, plus anaylze and plan their own art pieces, explaining concepts such as the use of images, symbols and themes present in their artwork. At the end of their year, an assesor comes and examines their artwork, grading on not how well an artpiece is done per say, but also how effective the art conveys a theme or a story, and the mental aspects of what went on inside the artist’s head. Life sure isn’t easy for an art IB student, but it definitely is rewarding.

I was simply astounded at such beautiful art pieces, conveying a lot of emotions, symbolism and detail.

Remember your childhood of folding paper airplanes and shooting them across the classroom, or maybe you still do now.  That is origami.  Origami comes from two Japanese words, ori and gami, and literally means ‘fold paper’.  This is an art form that takes ordinary paper to a whole new level, but origami is not restricted to just paper.  From awesome towel animals in hotel rooms, napkin swans on dinner plates, and even origami on toilet paper rolls; origami is everywhere!  Not only are they creative, but also very amusing to make and play with as well.

Basically any sheet material that can fold and hold a crease can be used for origami.  Check out some amazing creations folded simply from paper!  One could only wonder how much time and effort that goes into each of them.  My personal favourite is the big white dragon.

Instead of reading a book, magazine or the newspaper in the washroom, why not take your toilet paper roll and fold it into something unique.

Whether it is paper or toilet paper, there are many origami books and tutorials on YouTube so go try some out. Happy folding!

On Ukraine’s Got Talent, Kseniya Simonova did a sand art piece about the Holocaust, and the video of it on YouTube has gotten almost 5 million views.  I think that art is such an awesome way to express how you feel about anything that has affected you in your life, or even things you’ve just heard about.  This video is absolutely breath-taking and it’s definitely a must see, so check it out!

OK, pause, and rip yourself away from the Olympics for just one second.  Fact or Fiction: Cow-Town-Calgary has no appreciation for the arts.  Answer?  Fiction!  Now, sure, we’re no New York, New York, but Calgary has its fair share of haute-art opportunities.  This upcoming weekend, on the 26th and 27th, Calgary is gearing up to be a prime example of some of our city’s prime creative juices.

Friday the 26^th and Saturday the 27^th is the ArtaWEARness event put on by the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD).  Let’s all pull out our checklist for events worth digging into our moth-bearing wallets to see.  Does it/is it:

1)      showcase something awesome

2)      provoke your interest

3)      have meaning of some form or another

Bonus points:

4)      involve local youth

5)      affordable and accesible

The ArtaWEARness event fulfills ALL of these criteria – and more.  Essentially, and I can not put it in better words, it is a college of crazy spewing from some of the most artistic, analytical, sleep-deprived minds in our city – the students of ACAD.  Everything from sculpture to recycled material to metal working is somehow transfigured into avant-garde pieces that strut down a runway.  Really, it’s better to not try and explain the genius that is birthed out of this. So, I’ll show you an example:

Lydia Karpenko’s collection from last year’s event took place in a not-too-distant future where environmental pollution has become extremely toxic to all living things.  All humans that populate this world must wear biohazard/containment clothing that protects them from their polluted surroundings.  People have adapted their technological research and developed an extremely effective protection “suit” in the form of a living, fungus-like organism.  This organism consumes atmospheric pollution and excretes oxygen as its byproduct.  By entering into symbiotic relationship with the organism, the human is fully protected from environmental toxicity.  The result, human hosts become hybrid organisms or bio-cyborgs that have successfully adapted to their natural habitat.

The pictures are her creations. Mark the dates – this Friday and Saturday at 8pm – on your calendar. Standing tickets are only 15$ (seated is 25$) and ACAD is right off the C-train.  Want more information? See the website!

I won’t be here for it this year, but I wish I had known about it earlier.  Certainly, this is an awesome, youth-showcasing event in the city that should not be missed!

Japan has an overabundance of cute things. Their cartoons are cute, their clothing is cute, even their tissues are cute. And this excess of cute-ness has gone so far as to spill over into their bento box lunches. I had an extremely difficult time choosing which bento boxes to feature in this post because all of the ones that I found were simply amazing examples of bento art – my lunch never looks this cool. So, take a look:

From techy and cool…

To classic cartoons… (more…)