AFTERGLOW ART FESTIVAL
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Twist

9/24/2018

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Interview with Mallory Zwicker

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 
Our performance is called "twist". This performance is a mishmash of multiple dance styles and genres. Typically when we perform in Bridgewater we stick to our upbeat routines that are known to be crowd-pleasers, but for Afterglow we are very excited to show all forms of dance that we excel at. There will be a variety of tempos, vibes and moods in our performance and we are very excited to share the art of DANCE with Bridgewater!
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Photo supplied by artist.
2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 
Plan "A" Dance Centre was opened in Bridgewater in May of 2017 by Mallory Zwicker as a recreational and competitive dance education centre for students ages 3-18. After just one year, they have approximately 90 dancers and have expanded to also teach toddlers and adults. PADC has 4 talented staff members who all bleed creativity. It is our goal as choreographers to give our dancers unique choreography that highlights their strengths, with lots of feeling and intention. 

3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
I believe that Afterglow is much needed in a small town like Bridgewater. Our mission statement is to empower youth in small towns to follow the fine arts path in life, without needing a "back-up plan" or a "plan B". It will be great to be a part of this event and to see what other amazing artsy things are happening in our community!

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival? 
I am excited for our talented group of young dancers to show off ALL aspects of their dance life- the slow, weird, fast, quirky and otherwise, in this years art festival, to an audience of people who embrace the arts.

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
I am looking forward to seeing how people respond to our dancing, and how our dancers respond to the other art forms showcased in this event.
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Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse
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La parade des Méduses (The Jellyfish Parade)

9/17/2018

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Interview with Jilien Beaton

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called?  Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 
We were inspired by a Jellyfish sculpture piece created by a grade 10 student during art class this past semester. We will be using umbrellas -taking off the fabric and replacing it with our own fabric - beads, and fairy lights. The students (dressed in black) will hold the umbrellas and walk down the streets in a rhythmic manner set to ocean sounds. Because the students are younger, we do not plan to be there for the entire evening but will march together for 2 hours. 

Picture
Photo supplied by artist.
2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity.
I am the Art Teacher at Centre Scolaire de la Rive Sud in Cookville and will be bringing a few of my junior and senior high students. 

3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
Afterglow redefines the importance of Art in our community by bringing together like-minded individuals and people who have interest and want to experience another world through the eyes of an artist. It is an amazing opportunity to explore one's creativity. 

Picture
Photo supplied by artist.
Picture
Photo supplied by artist.
 
4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival? 
I have chosen to take part to show my students and the public that art lives boldly outside of the classroom setting!
 
5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival? 
I am looking forward to being amongst a variety of artists so that I can see the interests of my students and try new things in the classroom. ​​
Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse
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Filament

9/10/2018

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Interview with Erin Donovan

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 
Our 2018 Afterglow project is called Filament. It is a series of experimental improvisations for dancer (Jacinte Armstrong), electric guitar (Geordie Halley) and percussion (Erin Donovan). I like the word Filament as a starting off point for improvisation because it conjures up both the natural world (animals, plants, fungi) and the man-made world (electricity, light-bulbs, currents). Combining human movement with acoustic and electric sounds as well as some experiments with light is going to make for an interesting show! This is the first phase of a larger scale project that I’m working on - so we can say this project will be born in Bridgewater!
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Burnwater performance, 2013. Holly Crooks with Theo Pitsiavis, Jacinte Armstrong, Rob Power and D'Arcy Gray, Sound Sculpture John Little. Courtesy: http://hearhereproductions.ca/landing/

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 
I live in Mahone Bay and I’m the artistic director of Hear Here Productions. My organization has been making experimental performance art for 20 years in Toronto, Alberta and now (after years away) Nova Scotia - but I have yet to create something for the South Shore. Hear Here’s Burnwater show has been to East Dover, Shelburne, Halifax and this summer will be at the Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro- but I have yet to build something in my own backyard, so I’m super excited about Afterglow!

3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
I grew up in St. John’s Newfoundland which has a very strong experimental art scene; their Sound Symposium every other year was extremely influential to me as an artist. It wasn’t strange when I was growing up to watch someone push a piano off of Signal Hill, or to spend your Saturday afternoon at the Art Gallery throwing ping-pong balls at gongs - so festivals that push boundaries are really key to who I am as an artist. Creating situations to animate our public spaces not only brings those spaces to life and creates a sense of fun in the community, but it also makes our communities stronger. Public art is a very immediate way to bring us all together to celebrate who we are. Afterglow is a wonderful way to celebrate our arts and culture scene and make it accessible to everyone.
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Burnwater: Alchemy photos of Rhonda Baker and Doug Cameron by Michelle Doucette. Courtesy: http://hearhereproductions.ca/burnwater-alchemy/
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Burnwater: Alchemy photos of Rhonda Baker and Doug Cameron by Michelle Doucette. Courtesy: http://hearhereproductions.ca/burnwater-alchemy/
4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival? 
​I’ve been wanting to participate in Afterglow for a long time now so I’m really happy it’s coming together this year. 

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?​
Really, I’m looking forward to taking it all in! Though I know from experience that I may not get to see or hear much if I’m performing - one of the hardest things about participating in a festival! I’m very much looking forward to connecting with my local South Shore community in a creative way. 

About the Artists:

Erin Donovan/ Hear Here Productions: Percussionist, pianist and composer Erin Donovan presents multi-media events for alternative spaces with her organization, Hear Here Productions (hearhereproductions.ca). Her most recent work entitled Burnwater: Alchemy is an interactive sound environment with live performance and is a collaboration with Mocean Dance. This show opened in Shelburne, NS in 2016 and had a run at Alderney Landing in 2017 and at the Ship’s Company Theatre in 2018. As a freelance percussionist, Erin has performed regularly with Symphony Nova Scotia, Calgary Philharmonic, the Canadian Opera Company, Continuum New Music, The Banff Centre, Gamelan Toronto, Evergreen Club Gamelan, the Glass Orchestra, Array Music and her newly formed percussion trio Saltwater Percussion. Erin lives in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia.

Geordie Haley: Guitarist, Composer, Improviser and Educator has been a featured Artist with new music presenters Suddenly Listen, Upstream Music, Vocalypse, and Open Arts. Geordie is a frequent contributor to the Halifax Jazz Festival, the Harvest Blues and Jazz Festival, and the Open Waters Festival. He has collaborated with dancers Shannon Cooney, Susanne Chui, Rhonda Baker, Sara Coffin and Jacinthe Armstrong. Geordie has played in the pit bands for Neptune Theatre, Theatre New Brunswick and Canadian Stage. As an accompanist Geordie has worked with Chrsitine Duncan, Tena Palmer, Tanya Tagaq, Loiuse Pitre and Measha Brueggergosman.  Geordie heads the Guitar program at the NSCC Waterfront Music Arts Department and has been teaching at the Maritime Conservatory since 2009.

Jacinte Armstrong is a Halifax-based dance artist who has worked with many collaborators locally and across Canada. She trained at Halifax Dance before studying at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL. Primarily an independent artist, Jacinte performs regularly with Mocean dance and SiNS (Sometimes in Nova Scotia) Dance, and was the Artistic Director of Kinetic Studio from2014-2018. Her choreography ranges from intimate and imagistic to large-scale collaboration with architects, filmmakers, and musicians. Jacinte is currently pursuing her MFA at NSCAD University.

FILAMENT and is a series of experimental improvisations for dancer (Jacinte Armstrong, Halifax,  http://jacintearmstrong.com/), electric guitar (Geordie Halley, Halifax) and percussion (Erin Donovan, Mahone Bay hearhereproductions.ca). The word Filament is a starting off point for structured improvisations— it conjures both the natural world (animals, plants, fungi) and the man-made world (electricity, light-bulbs, currents). Combining human movement with acoustic and electric sounds as well as some experiments with light is going to make for an interesting show. Hear Here has been making experimental performance art for 20 years in Toronto, Alberta and now after years away. Hear Here’s Burnwater show has been to East Dover, Shelburne, Halifax and this summer will be at the Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro.
Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse
1 Comment

See Me Canada 150 Time Quilt / Exploring the Power Nine

9/3/2018

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Interview with Chris Andrews 

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 

Last year I asked people to decorate a cloth square, and they collectively made 150 squares. These squares have been assembled into a wall hanging to commemorate Canada 150 in Bridgewater. The wall hanging will travel around through groups, uniting people with their art. It is called See Me Canada 150 Bridgewater Time Quilt

My second project will display the nine healthy habits (Power Nine) of people who live to be 100. I will ask people to draw or write what they can do to live long and well.  Exploring the Power Nine was our 2018 Annual Intention  (like a resolution only better). 


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The center of the See Me Canada 150 Time Quilt. Photo supplied by artist.
2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 

I like art to be a part of the solution, or to make people smile. I try to never create things that will make people sad or bring them down. We all need some good news or just lighten up! I live in Bridgewater and believe creativity is next to breathing. I look for opportunities to help people light their creative sparklers together! I write, draw and do mixed media projects. I have done a 50 foot mural and made junk rig sails for the boat I helped build with my husband.


3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
It makes an impact on me as a community member, helping me feel creatively useful. Ashton (Afterglow Founder) makes it super easy and fun to be your most expressive self. Afterglow lets people of all stripes do and share art in an open 360 model, right where we live; it shows that art is at the heart of Bridgewater. I love not having to get in a car, spew fossil fuel and hot air to have a first rate art experience. Every year is a miracle of participation. Last year I enjoyed the little kids sitting on their parents knees to do their drawings and whole families waiting for their most artistic member to do their piece. One woman swore she will come back from New York city just for Afterglow - I'd better finish that wall hanging! 
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Junk rig sails. Photo supplied by artist.
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50 foot mural. Photo supplied by artist.
4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival? 
Because we can. It's great to stretch the definition of 'Art' and watch the 'you and me' sharing that emerges in the street.  Afterglow is an activity that blows spirit into the centre of town, right down King St. It puts Bridgewater on the artisans' map of Nova Scotia. My husband, Frank Bemben, helps, and so do our friends. It's probably the most excitement we have all year! There is no judging, just lots of fun. We have enjoyed the 3 years we did presentations, as well as the year we tooted around as Bridgewater 'Artourists'.


5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
Seeing how people will react to the Power Nine Challenge, and how they will manifest their intentions for a good life together. I know it is bad writing form to use a word repetitively, but there is no other word better than 'fun'!
Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse
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Equilibrium

8/27/2018

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Interview with Jenille and Mike - The Jugglin Bubblers

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 
Our Afterglow Project is called Equilibrium. It is an interactive circus performance including juggling, hat manipulation, bubbles and more. Our inspiration came from the bubbles themselves: always moving to find that perfect balance.

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 
We are The Jugglin Bubblers - a circus duo based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We have been performing unique, all ages, circus shows together since 2014. We specialize in Juggling , Hat Manipulation, and bubble art. Our performances have taken us across Canada , USA , and Costa Rica. 
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Photo supplied by artist.
3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
We feel that Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater by bringing the community together and by making art accessible. Both of these things create the most inspiring atmosphere!

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival? 
We chose to return to Afterglow because the community was so welcoming, and the experience we had connecting last year was absolutely beautiful! The joy and excitement that fills the street is the best!

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
This year we are looking forward to bringing new and exciting tricks and play to Afterglow, along with seeing all of the other amazing projects and shows. 
​
​Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse
1 Comment

Story Weaver

8/25/2018

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Interview with Deborah Eikle

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 
The project is called Story Weaver. It’s about a storyteller creating and sharing magical stories for all ages; taking the listener into the world of imagination and adventure. The stories told may entertain, inspire, challenge and/or give sense of hope that we can build a better world together.
My inspiration is my imagination and a strong desire to touch the listener in a way that may leave them with a smile, touch the heart or encourage them to be true to themselves.

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 
I am discovering the joy of whom I am at 65. I live in a small community, Lapland, and have been here for 37 years. 
I have a been reader of fiction since I was young. I have a strong imagination which scared and entertained me over the years. As a substitute teacher for many years, I began telling stories that I usually created on the spot to the students, or told one I had created before that went over well. It was something I could do easily and simply did it. About 10 years ago I expanded my audience into the adult world when I joined a storytelling group. Whenever the opportunity presents itself I will joyfully tell a story.
Picture
Photo by Mostly the Coast
3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
For two evenings Afterglow gives the residents and people in the surrounding areas the opportunity to learn more about art and its many varied forms; to meet the people who create because it’s an important part of who they are. It's a time to be entertained and be opened to things that they may have never experienced before; in person and often with direct interaction.

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival? 
It’s a great way to share stories and awaken in people the ancient craft of storytelling. We are all story tellers.

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
Being there and having the opportunity to share stories.
​Interview and blog complied by Jordan Beck Crouse
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Josh Dramer

8/18/2018

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Interview with Josh Wagner

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration?
Josh Dramer is the name I use for performing. My performance will be drumming to songs that many people know, and maybe some that people do not know. I'm breaking out of the shell of drumming in a room by myself, and having fun with a bunch of people around me. 

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity.
I'm a drummer from Laconia, NS. I'm a bit of a shy and hyper person, but I always try my best to help out and be kind to others as best as I can. I started drumming when I was in 7th grade after not being able to make a note come out of an Alto Saxophone. Ever since then, I've mostly learned a bunch of stuff at my own pace through YouTube videos of drummers such as Cobus Potgieter, Luke Holland & Phil J Drums; also looked at drum lesson videos from channels such as Drumeo. 
My range of music is varied. Anything from country to metal - as long as it's good to listen to and it makes me want to drum! 

3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater?
​Afterglow lets people see lots of various talents that they don't get to see a lot of. There are always those rare talents that no one knows about, that others needs to see, hear, etc. 

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival?
To perform in front of the local population, and show them how much fun I have playing some songs, and just hitting hard on the drums!!!  

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
The music performances in the events!! 
Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse
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Printing with the Public

8/13/2018

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Interview with Linda Oickle 

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 
My project is called Printing with the Public. Using printing plates cut and designed by the artist, any member of the public will be helped to print their own image to take with them, free of charge. Inspired by my love of the art of Linocutting, and my desire to educate the public about this type of printing!

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity.
My name is Linda Oickle - I'm now living in Mahone Bay, but I was brought up in Blockhouse. After returning to my love of art and drawing in 2004, I was encouraged by my daughter to try printing. I tried many forms of the printmaking process, but I fell in love with the tactile art of linocutting, drawing my design, cutting and inking the plates. This gives me the ability to make more than one original image from any of my plates!
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Photo by Mostly the Coast.
3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
Afterglow is an inspirational program that gives every person in and around the Bridgewater area to experience many forms/kinds of art first hand. From Fine Art to Performing Arts, everyone has the chance to see, hear and feel the arts and culture of our area. 

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival?
I chose to join in the festivities so I can once again educate the public on the art of printmaking, as it was done for over a hundred years.  

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
Working with the children and seeing their faces when they reveal their own piece of linocut art. 
​
Picture
Photo supplied by artist.
Picture
Photo supplied by artist.
Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse
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Jerika Clara Art

8/11/2018

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Interview with Jerika Clara

What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe? What is its inspiration? 
My project this year is going to be called simply just "Jerika Clara Art"
This year I want people to be more inspired 0 more inspired to create dreamy watercolour paintings. I also want for my project to help little kids branch out and try a new medium that they maybe have never tried before. My inspiration for this year's project comes from the Afterglow Festival itself, when you're there, immersed in the festival, you look around and you see so many creative people all in one place! I really wanted to have a project that will also inspire people like all of the other projects that will be around me.

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 
My name is Jerika Clara and I've lived in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia my whole life. My creativity and inspiration definitely comes from my surroundings. Nature and the ocean both give me so much inspiration. 
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Photo supplied by artist.
3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
The Afterglow Festival has a huge impact on Bridgewater. It really helps to bring more art culture into Bridgewater. 

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival? 
I have chosen to participate in this year's festival because I really want to reach out to more people to help them discover my art, but also at the same time, I want younger ones to have the opportunity to maybe try watercolour for the first time.

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
Every year I always look forward to seeing the massive sculpture that Wile's Lake Farm Market will create.
Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse
2 Comments

The Lewinskies

8/6/2018

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Interview with Kristen Lewis 

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it What is its inspiration? 
The Lewinskies are from the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Kristen (Hatt) Lewis writes, plays and sings with an accordion and her husband, Matthew, accompanies on guitar. Our writing inspirations come from people who are trying to make a difference in this world.

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 
Kristen was born on PEI but moved all around Canada while growing up and as a young person. Matthew was born on The Rock but also moved to mainland Nova Scotia. Matthew & Kristen decided to have a family in a small town instead of the big city. Kristen has been involved in music since the mid '90s recording with bands such as Matt Mays, The Heavy Blinkers, and many projects with Feswick Productions. Kristen is an artist jumping back and forth between two icebergs in the middle of the ocean - one called music, and the other called art.
Picture
Photo supplied by artist.
3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
Afterglow is a wonderful gathering of artists! There are artists and musicians in every inch of this province, and Afterglow puts Bridgewater on the map as a creative centre.

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival? 
The Lewinskies support all creative efforts. When artists come together and work together, sharing ideas, then everyone can move forward together. 

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
The Lewinskies look forward to meeting new musician friends and seeing new art on display on the streets of Bridgewater. Bravo to the community of artists who put this event on!! You rock!!!
Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse
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