Dear colleagues,

The second of our outreach programs that has made great strides in the last few months is our  collaboration with the Manitoba Craft Council.  I am pleased to inform you that this program recently received a $6,000 grant from the Manitoba Arts Council, one of the major arts funding agencies in the province.  This is the maximum amount awarded by the Arts Council, and the funds will be used to support the artists in their work and to develop exhibitions featuring the works that are produced. 

The first phase of the collaboration has been very successful and I would like to share some preliminary images of the works that have been created.  The first is the result of the collaboration between Kris Cowley and artist Heather Komus.  It is a mixed media piece representing the degenerative process of Alzheimer's disease.  The other works shown have been produced through the partnership of Mike Jackson and artist Lesley Nakonechny.  This collaboration has produced some intensely personal and powerful pieces, including the one titled, "Alzheimer's Portrait 2: Father Jackson", which uses linocut to depict Mike's father and his struggle with Alzheimer's.  After visiting Mike's lab, Lesley was also inspired to take photographs of "Neurons in Nature", and she placed these photos in petri dishes to create the lightbox that you see.

Feeling inspired?  You can take part in the next phase of the program!  We will be reviewing the next round of artist applications in early October, so if you are interested in participating, please send me an email and we will try to match you.  All we require is a lot of enthusiasm and a little bit of your time!

Best wishes, Sari