The Flin Flon Writers’ Guild is one of the oldest arts organizations in our culture-rich community.
They meet on the second Saturday of each month at the NorVA Centre to offer contact and support to the literary artists in the area. This is an important function, as writing is quite a solitary pursuit.
At each meeting the group shares information about the literary scene not only in Flin Flon, but also around the world. In this way, writers break down the barriers of their chosen art form.
Each meeting also includes a writing challenge for members to work on during the month. They can share their responses at the next meeting and, if they choose, receive feedback from other writers to improve their writing styles.
From time to time, the guild offers writing workshops with published authors and teachers
from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as readings from new works and sponsored open mic evenings for the public.
The Writers’ Guild has just published an anthology of stories, both fiction and non-fiction, called Word on the Rocks. It features contributions from guild members and other Flin Flon-area authors. The book is available at the Orange Toad, Northern Rainbow’s End, NorVA Centre and at the Flin Flon Public Library.
A previous anthology, Between Beaver and Athapap, can still be found online on the Flin Flon Heritage Project’s website at www.flinflon heritageproject.com. It was published in 1993, so this new book is long-awaited.
The official launch for Word on the Rocks will be during Culture Days, September 25 to 27, 2015.
For us though, we don’t have to wait.
The Flin Flon Writers’ Guild is an affordable group to join, at only $20 a year, with a new executive formed each September.
The current executive is made up of chairwoman Doreen Roman, vice-chairwoman Libby Lavalle-Stoker, treasurer Harry Hobbs and secretary Glenda Hobbs – who have done a remarkable job thus far.
By the time this column is printed, the Northern Visual Arts (NorVA) Centre will be well into its summer programming for children.
For the next two days, NorVA will have morning and afternoon programs for children in two age groups, five and up, and
12 and up.
The younger groups will do clay hand building, make sock puppets and paint with watercolours, while the older group will do drypoint print-making.The classes run from 10 am to 12 noon or from 1 to 3 pm and are $25 each with supplies included.
At the NorVA annual general meeting, the winning logo from the centre’s logo contest
was unveiled. Amanda Bagero created the new, easily recognizable logo.
NorVA artists hope that it will let everyone know where they are located and will bring more Flin Flonners into their space.
As gallery manager Mike Spencer said, NorVA has been at their location for five years now and still people ask, “Where is that?”
On the other hand, Dominos Pizza, right next door, has been open for two weeks, and everyone in town knows where it is! It’s all about branding!
NorVA had a very successful year, with art shows of work by Gerry Hamm and Dean Bauch, and Mike Grandmaisson’s photographs.
NorVA also mounted For the Love of Craft, a multi-artist show from the Manitoba Craft Guild.
The centre also presented the first annual High School Art Show, featuring youth artistic expressions as well as seven individual NorVA artists’ shows.
The NorVa annual general meeting revealed the five-year plan for improvements to the physical space, increased communication between artists and increased fundraising opportunities.
The group hopes to have new, moveable walls for display and storage in the centre in time for Culture Days. The first use of the new wall space will be for the Square Foot fundraiser canvasses.
Calendar
Most regular arts groups suspend meetings for July and August
August 8 Wood ’n’ Wire Concert series @ Johnny’s Social Club ‘Les Miz’ cast reunion + friends
August 22 Wood ’n’ Wire Concert series Celtic event, featuring Ron Scott and Natalie Milligan
