In September, the folks with Antigonight have a week planned that will turn the town into an artistic hub in its own right.
Antigonight consists of a series of events that explore the abundance of artistic talent in Antigonish and the Antigonish area, in the many mediums through which that talent is manifested.
The opening night on Sept. 1 will feature the artwork of Margaret Nicholson focused on the theme of “the art of protest.” For an idea of what that will entail, Rachel Power, curatorial consultant with Antigonight, said one of the featured pieces of artwork will be ‘The Hot Seat.’ a chair with an image of Donald Trump on it.
“Margaret has a body of work that spans many years, so it’s not just a group of new paintings. It’s painting she’s been collecting over the last 20 years in this collection,” Power said.
Nicholson, a professor at St. F.X., will also be speaking about the work she displays that evening. The first night will also feature the talent of ‘Joanie Cash,’ [Chris Frazer] a drag performer – and another professor from St. F.X., “so we have a nice connection between St. F.X. and our performing artists,” Power said.
Also featured at the opening night will be a number of local writers, spoken word artists and musicians.
But that’s not all. Festival director Emma MacDonald noted the opening night will also allowed the audience to be more than an audience, since “it’s open to the public, as well, to perform.”
“Anybody wanting to get up and sing a tune or read a piece of their work, or an impromptu piece about the whole theme of the art of protest is welcome to,” MacDonald said.
MacDonald expanded on the idea, saying Antigonight is very much a participatory festival, encouraging artists to share the process, and to engage with the audience – and for the audience to engage back.
Sept. 6 will be a day with a cinematic bent with the screening of recent works from the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP). The film screening at the People’s Place Library, at 7 p.m., will feature films made by Halifax-based artists. The night will also feature the talent of the members of the Antigonish County Adult Learning Association (ACALA), through their ACALA TV program.
“The Atlantic Filmmaker’s Cooperative is a member-run center that does production and presentation of creative films,” MacDonald explained.
On Sept. 7, the People’s Place Library will be devoted to the appreciation of art, with the Antigonish Community Showcase taking place from 6 to 9 p.m.
The event will take up the entire library building, inside and out, and will feature numerous art installations throughout the area.
Power said, “it’s a nice way to meander throughout the building,” appreciating and observing the variety of artwork on display.
“The artists included in this evening are predominantly members of Antigonish town and county, but there are a few artists from out of town,” MacDonald said. “During this evening, one of our Antigonight headliners will be present; James MacSwain.”
One piece of artwork MacDonald recommended that people keep an eye out for is MacSwain’s ‘accordion books,’ pieces that, “allow the viewer to look down the length of the ‘accordion’ book, which shares a narrative told by mythological and historical characters.”
Other featured artists include Tara Taylor and Eva Knoll, work from the ASAP Artist Run Centre, the H&C Tickle Trunk Emporium, a number of artists from Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation and The Spinners.
MacDonald and Power noted they are anticipating what Taylor and Knoll bring to the show, since “it’s a cool project where they are connecting math and computer science with art,” MacDonald said.
On Sept. 8, MacSwain himself will be hosting an artist talk at the People’s Place Library. In MacSwain’s 11:30 a.m. talk, he will discuss the mediums he uses to make art, and how he goes about that work.
On Sept. 15, the Antigonight Art After Dark Festival will convert part of Antigonish into a place of artistic exploration and expression.
There is so much art that’s going to be displayed during the festival, that to accommodate it, the portion of College Street from St. Ninian to Main will be shut down. The festival will extend from the People’s Place Library to Chisholm’s Park – and up to the art department at St. F.X., as well.
“We utilize various neat spaces such as the Bergengren Credit Union parkade – we are going to use the top and bottom as venue spaces,” MacDonald said. “We’re very excited to host various artists from near and far”
A few of the people and groups whose art will be featured in the festival include Karen Stentaford, Lukas Pearse, Dustin Harvey, Fenn Martin, Laura Stinson, Noella Murphy, OSO, L’Arche, The Jugglin’ Bubblers, Sandy MacNeil, the St. F.X. Art Department – and Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers.
“It definitely will be something for everyone, because we have projection pieces, huge puppets, music, tintype photography, dance, and a circus,” MacDonald said.
The event will be free of charge, and people are encouraged to visit the events and stay for as long as they like.
Power expressed her gratitude to the various volunteers and sponsors, the people affiliated with the Antigonish Art Fair – and founding director of Antigonight John Mathews, who all help make Antigonight a reality.
MacDonald echoed the sentiment, saying, “Antigonight wouldn’t happen without the volunteer support, the planning team and the sponsors.”
