Hello everyone,

Following the success of Neurocraft, many of you have asked if there would be more opportunities to connect with local artists, and today I am pleased to announce the launch of Dura Mater:  Reflections on Neurofeminism, our new collaboration with Mentoring Artists for Women's Art (MAWA).  MAWA was founded in 1983 and provides mentoring, networking, and professional development opportunities for women artists in Manitoba.  Their members include such distinguished artists as Ione Thorkelsson, Diana Thorneycroft, and Shawna Dempsey.  You can find out more about them at www.mawa.ca

Are you interested in participating?  Here are a few key points to consider.

· This collaboration is open to all MNN faculty members.  Depending on the response, students and postdocs may be considered as well.

· There are six spots available.

· The artists will submit their applications by September 18^th and pairings will be finalized in the fall.  Participating scientists will have the opportunity to view the artists' applications and identify potential partners.

· The program will run from January-December, 2020.  An exhibition of the finished pieces will be held at the Buhler Gallery at St. Boniface Hospital in March, 2020.

· MAWA has a very strong educational mandate, and so, this program will be far more structured than Neurocraft.  Participants will be required to meet with their partners for a minimum of two hours per month, and there will also be six group meetings that will be held every two months at MAWA's offices.  These meetings are mandatory and will involve group discussions, lectures, and opportunities to share the work that has been produced.

· Participating in this collaboration will therefore involve a 36 hour time commitment (minimum) over the course of the year and it will also require flexibility in your schedule to accommodate the individual and group meetings.

· Is this only open to women?  Certainly not!  The program is open to all genders.  The vast majority of the artists will be women, and they will likely be interested in exploring feminist themes in their work, but participants are free to pursue any avenue of inquiry.  Collaborative works are also encouraged.

The attached flyer was distributed to MAWA members earlier this month and it provides some additional information about the program.  It promises to be a unique and engaging intellectual experience, so I hope you will consider taking part.  If you are interested, please send me an email prior to September 18^th, and if you have any questions, feel free to send those along as well.

As always, thank you for your support of the MNN and our outreach program.  Thank you also to everyone who attended the annual meeting, and the organizers, Dom and Renee, who did an outstanding job!

Best wishes, Sari

Sari S. Hannila, PhD

Director of Outreach, Manitoba Neuroscience Network

Associate Professor, Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science

University of Manitoba