The Works International Visual Arts Society, which produces The Works Art & Design Festival as well as the Art & Design in Public Places Program, has re-located its offices from downtown to the historic William Paskins Residence in McCauley. Since moving in, The Society has worked with community partners to rehabilitate the building, built in 1902, and has been involved in a number of other McCauley neighbourhood initiatives.

Recently, The Works held a workshop for Works Society members and volunteers to develop a collaborative mural for presentation at The Festival this summer. Participation is open to the community, and is an excellent opportunity to work with Edmonton artists. The content and vision for the mural will be developed through collaborative sessions with volunteer participants and will be displayed at 2012 Works Art & Design Festival, themed Energy II- Collaboration. The public will have its first peek at the artwork in progress at McCauley’s Heart of the City Festival in June.

This spring, the public will also have a chance to catch presentations in The Works Gallery, which operates inside The Works office. One exhibit will feature artwork by recent interns in the Works to Work education program, and another series will celebrate International Women’s Day. For The week of March 8, The Works will present a series of events that bring focus to women and their communities. This will include the mail art exhibit “Love Letters to Feminism,” curated by Carolyn Jervis, and is open to public participation.

The Works Society is also looking forward to collaborating with the community to develop a work of art for the Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre. The artworks generated will represent the cultural fabric of the McCauley neighbourhood.

To keep up to date on The Works events, opportunities, and festival news, and to find out more about participating in Works programs, get The Works E-newsletter, check out The Works on Facebook, or contact marketing.assistant@theworks.ab.ca.

About The Works:
The Works International Visual Arts Society, a non-profit charitable organization, works to promote the advancement, development, and awareness of art and design in Canada and provides a public forum for artists, designers and the public to exchange ideas. The Works Art & Design Festival is the largest outdoor celebration of visual art & design in North America, with over 359, 000 people visiting The Festival’s main site in 2011. The 27th annual Works Art & Design Festival takes place June 21 – July 3, 2012 on Sir Winston Churchill Square.

Information submitted by The Works.