Workshop offered

Budding Metis and Native artists and artisans from Alberta are being offered a chance to develop their talents in a 10-month program that will start this fall in Lac La Biche. The Native art development program will be run by Zone One of the Metis Nation of Alberta starting in September.

The program is aimed at giving Metis and Native artists and artisans the opportunity to hone their skills to the point where they can make a living at what they are doing. A 21-week pilot project for the program was recently completed and the art work of five Lac La Biche area students was successfully marketed in major tourist centers as well as locally. The focus of the program that will start this fall is once again on Native artists and artisans who "have the talent and potential to go beyond a hobby, to take it to the next level," said program director Ken Staples.

Working full time over 10 months on producing works of art will give the program participants a unique opportunity to build up a body of work that is large enough for a show in an art gallery or major craft fair.

Staples is confident that there is a strong market for fine art that reflects or is inspired by Native themes, and an equally strong market for hand-crafted items that reflect Native and Metis culture. Part of the 10-month program will concentrate on helping artists tape into that market.

The artists workshop program has space for up to 10 people and is open to all Alberta Metis and Native artists and artisans. The applicants will be expected to obtain their own sponsorship for the 10-month program. The Zone One office can assist potential students in approaching sponsors, Staples said.

Details on the program are available by phoning Ken Staples at the Zone One office of the Metis Nation in Lac La Biche at 1-403-623-3039.