Box Social

Box Social Holiday Sale!

2009-10-12T10:40:00.004-06:00

Arrata Opera Centre

1315 7 Street SW

Free admission

Cash Only

Box Social is pleased to bring you the Holiday Edition of the
Calgary Artist's Market!

The Holiday Artists

* * *

Papier Valise
Giulia Fatica
Christine Norman-Jewelry

Donna Rapp- Photography

Tweet Headwear- Knitted Wears

Laura Sharp-Ceramics

Do-Hee Sung-Ceramics

Amber Hebert-Fine, fine fashion

Serena Wells-Fabric friends and mittens!

The Bee Kingdom-Glass

Nicole Reiss-Handmade Printed Stationary & Textiles

Melissa Pederson-Jewelry

Jen Jacoby- Remix
Joanna Brown-Ceramics

Melvy Sanchez-Knitted Scarves & Hats

Kristi Woo-Urban Fashions

Karen Klassen-Textiles & Illustrations

Deborah McCance - Jewelry

Dawn Saunders Dahl-Mixed Media

Marcia Harris-Jewelry

Mindy Andrews-Ceramics

Colleen Rauscher-Mixed Media/Textiles & Collage

Aura May Carney- Ceramics

Occasional Bloom-Flowers Galore

Amy Victoria Wakefield-Photography

Aviv Fried's Bread...
perhaps the best you will ever have!

* * *

This time around we have moved the event to
the beautiful Arrata Opera Centre that is house in a
beautiful church just off of 17th Avenue in Calgary's Beltline area.

If you would like to participate as an artist/vendor
please contact us at:
boxsocial.catherine@gmail.com

boxsocial.mariko@gmail.com

Huge Thanks!

2009-09-27T08:29:00.006-06:00

A huge thanks to all of those who participated, attended, cheered on the return of the Calgary Artist's Market! For all intent and purposes it was a successful revival that was noted by all of our viewing audience.

For those of you who couldn't make it, these were the artists you missed!

Deborah McCance
Amber Hebert
Laura Sharp
Christine Norman
Joanna Brown
Jodi Sales
Nicole Rehill
Rivet Kitchen
Tara Griffiths
Donna Rapp
Amy Victoria Wakefield
Joey Stewart Kingwall
Aura Carney

For those of you who would like to attend the next Calgary Artist's Market, the next dates fall on December 19 and 20th...Only this time, the event will be held at the Arrata Opera Center in Calgary's Beltline area. Hope to see you all there!

2009-08-13T19:48:00.002-06:00

Mariko Paterson and Catherine Hein are duly noted in Calgary's finest C-train Magazine! Box Social brings back the Calgary Artist's Market this September 19, 2009. Follow the link to the Artist's Market Blog for up to the date info..

In the mean time, dig that Metro out of your recylcling and check out Page 2...the Tuesday, August 11th edition.

2009-08-08T11:12:00.005-06:00

Yet another spectacular artist has joined the ranks of Box Social!

Paulette Michayluk of Calgary, Alberta has a number of her T-shirts and tote bags featuring an antique photographic transfer process on our site. In an effort to keep alive some of the tried traditions of photography, Paulette's work demonstrates a most fascinating fusion between old and new, historical and contemporary.

Of course, you can find out more information about Paulette, her practice and purchasing her work through Box Social!

Calgary Artist's Market Application Form!

2009-08-04T17:22:00.001-06:00

Calgary Artist's Market

Box Social Application Form

Form Submission Deadline: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Notification Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Due to an overwhelming amount of artist interest, we at Box Social have put together an Application Form for those who would like to sell their work and wares at the upcoming Calgary Artist's Market. As there are a limited number of tables available to us, we feel that the form will help us jury for the handmade quality, craftsmanship and reliability of product/objects that Box Social itself strives to represent.The table fee will remain unchanged from the previous market fee of $100 which is payable upon artist notification in late August.

Please note that this jury process will be repeated for each Calgary Artist's Market event and does not guarantee ongoing participation..better to be fair and square.

Fall Market Date:

September 19, 2009

Carpenter's Union Hall in Kensington

10:00am - 4:30pm

More information can be found at the

Calgary's Artist Market' Blog Page as the date draws nearer!

Please do Email us for an Application Form and return it to us by email by the date mentioned above !

Thanks,

Mariko & Catherine

2009-06-29T22:13:00.003-06:00

Box Social at the Uppercase Gallery Project Room

Box Social emerges from its virtual gallery and online store presence to give you a face-to-face experience this upcoming First Thursday (July 2) in Uppercase Gallery's Project Room. Come meet owners and upstarts Catherine Hein and Mariko Paterson in person and let them walk you through the website. Also, we will have a few select works by Box Social Artist's on display so that you may experience first-hand some of the great work being made in Western Canada today.

Located in Art Central's Artist Loop of studios located on the lower level, Box Social will also be available for your questions and queries in regards to the Calgary Artist's Market that they will be bringing back this September.

Artists featured in the Box Social/Uppercase Project Room

Tekoa Predika - Woodwork

Martin Tagseth - Ceramics

Scribble Product Design -

Accessories Extraordinaire

Kalika Bowlby - Ceramics

Elise Mullen- Painting

Reagan Cole McLean - Printmaking

Colleen Rauscher - Textiles/ Collage

Mariko Paterson - Ceramics

Of course you can find a few more artists who were just a little busy too exhibit this time 'round on our website...boxsocial.ca

Gillian Hillerud... Welcome Aboard!!

2009-06-26T10:19:00.006-06:00

Gillian Hillerud is a jeweller practicing in the fine city of Calgary, Alberta whose work can be now be found on Box Social!

While many of her most graceful and delicate pieces start with the notion of line, space and balance, she then incorporates the important concepts of historical precedence, body adornment and personal story telling into each and every piece. Subtle are the messages, images, and feelings conveyed by her wide variety of works. All seem to touch a tangibly, intangible, but all at once "universal" sense of emotion we as humans share. Of her process and work Gillian comments, "Fabricating this work is about creativity through a sculptural object that acquires intimacy through its scale and relationship to the body."

Many pieces utilize the timeless material of sterling silver and then push its properties to their physical limits. Others are much more mixed media oriented and indeed scupltural in feeling as materials such as 14K gold, pearls, mylar, thread and even paper are worked into their amazingly dense beings.

Simply beautiful to look and at behold as objects unto themselves, the final test in any craft based art is to try it on for size. The ability to adorn, bring attention to and complement the most delicate of our body parts has been achieved most successfully by Gillian's works...well done and welcome to Box Social where such fantastic efforts deserve to be featured!

Please do follow the link to Gillian's work on our site: boxsocial.ca
More of her work can be also be founf through her own site: www.gihi.ca

Pushing Buttons

2009-06-06T11:06:00.007-06:00

Hmmm, I have never been one for intricate or complicated technological advances, but there is something about the pull-n-press simplicity and presto success-o involved in using a button making machine.

Not a small ticket item as far as purchasing $$$$ goes, but hey, I am pretty sure this Wisconsin made beauty will last a lifetime and a half. Heavy and metallic with a giant red lever handle and brushed metal parts...it is virtually an art piece in itself. In fact, we have the perfect Herman Miller cabinet to place it on when not in use.

Oh yes, in addition to the multitude of miniature art pieces I'd like to press out, we are using it to make some buttons for our Box Social artists.

You may certainly hound the artists like Lisa Brawn and Martin Tagseth for an autographed one out of their coveted promotional stash or they will be available at upcoming Box Social Events, yes Events, for a more than miniature price.

2009-05-25T19:04:00.013-06:00

Art Markets may come and go, but there are some that are sorely missed...

Box Social would like to revive the most successful
Made in Canada- Artist's Market. Once organized by Kari Woo, we are assuming her duties so that Calgary's local art scene may continue to thrive.

For more details about the art market we ask that you check back at this Blog OR the Made In Canada Blog.

Whether you would like to participate as an artist or continue your support as a consumer we would also like you to share your thoughts! We have put together a little survey that we'd love for you to take the time to fill out our over your next coffee date with your computer...

Of course you may direct your questions and comments to mariko or catherine.

Thank you so much and we look forward to hearing back from you!

Chris Pancoe & James Culleton exhibition in Winnipeg!!

2009-05-21T09:25:00.005-06:00

Fleet Galleries in glorious Winnipeg, Manitoba is proud to present Box Social artist Chris Pancoe's ceramic works in conjunction with paintings and drawings by James Culleton.

A reception will be held in conjunction with the exhibition on June 4th at 7pm!

What the heck is a box social anyway?

2009-05-12T20:31:00.010-06:00

Now, you may wonder where we got this name from and what it means...

Since we are focusing on Western Canadian artists, we were looking for something that evoked that feeling. One of us here at Box Social is from Winnipeg, where a social is a weekly event. Socials are fundraisers for weddings, sports groups, charities, you name it. You basically buy a ticket, spend several hours in a community hall listening to a bad dj while drinking low-end booze, all to support your friends, co-workers, second-cousins twice-removed, in the hope that they will reciprocate when it is your turn to host. The best part (in my opinion) of the social was the rye bread, kielbasa, and cheese that came out at midnight. Socials are something that seems to be uniquely Manitoban, even though I have heard that in Saskatchewan (can anyone confirm?), similar events are called cabarets.

Social was one of those words that came up when we thought of Western Canada.

Box socials apparently originated in the 1920's. They were also fundraisers held in community halls, but fine young ladies would put together a lunch box which the men would bid on to raise their funds and if they were lucky they may also get a date out of the deal. A much nicer thought than the smell of stale beer and fold-up wooden tables. Simple and quirky, much like us.

2009-04-30T11:20:00.001-06:00

Nuts,

Pine Cones,

Art,

Books,

and the occasional groceries I suppose...

...are just some of the items you might like to stuff in these great tote bags we just got in. They are 100% cotton, really roomy and of course you will be doing your part to save a tree or spare a plastic bag by purchasing one and packing your precious cargo in it.

Also, you will be helping us to spread the Box Social word by sporting one around town. Be it in on the coast or abroad on your next fabulous trip, let everyone know that there are great things going on in Western Canadian Art!

Drop us a line and we will be happy to send one your way for $15.

2009-04-25T11:49:00.015-06:00

Okay, I have an addiction, I will admit it...it is paper. Note paper, wrappings, cards, packaging, labels, you name it. I buy things and hoard them until I have the perfect occasion to use them. So, when I heard about Papier Valise, I had to check them out. Janice carries all kinds of vintage and original paper products, as well as lockets, buttons, sequins and lots of other fun stuff! So, I had to place an order, of course.

When I received my package, it was prepared like it was a gift. Everything was thoughtfully arranged and she even attached a little surprise to my packing slip. Now that I have found this resource, I will be back. Support another Western Canadian small business!

Shannon Butler of Fort St John

2009-04-20T13:25:00.012-06:00

It is my pleasure to introduce to you all Shannon Butler of Fort St John, a ceramic artist who is about to join the ranks of Box Social.

While it is her ceramic pursuits that will be largely profiled though her internet presence with us, she also works in many other multi-media formats. Just recently she completed a painted bus panel for the Fort St. John community Arts Council...pictured below.

Shannon will also be participating in the "Coming Up Next" exhibition, at the Alberta Craft Council in Edmonton. Featured in this show will be a Jugs and a Tumbler Installation..Image pictured above.

Please find more about Shannon's works and processes involved at her blog shannonbutlerceramics.blogspot.com.

We have conveniently listed this blog along with our other artists in the column to the left for you.

2009-04-13T17:01:00.002-06:00

If you haven't already done so, be sure to pick up a copy of your Uppercase Gallery Magazine...hot off the presses they are but a couple weeks old.

In the back you'll find our full page ad for Box Social co-designed by the handsome fellas at Filament Communications.

Lisa Brawn!! Here, There and Everywhere!

2009-04-05T17:05:00.007-06:00

Well, I just got back from a short trip to Vancouver and while they may have a jump on us as far as spring colors go, we at least can look to the skies over Calgary's bridges for our own splash of colorific.

Lisa Brawn, one of our featured Box Social artists, has no less than 7 of Calgary's bridges decorated with banners bearing birds of a feather who've gotten together to brighten our daily commutes. Each of the banner's images have been translated from her techniques of carving 100 year old salvaged wood that are then painted to eye popping completion.

As bucolic as the birds are, her world is filled with work that often straddles the fine line that separates real from surreal and acceptable from absurd. From circus sideshow personalities to characters from Canadiana, from alternative takes on the notion of "Leaders" to epitomizing Telus employees of yesteryear..no one seems to escape the fine tooling of Lisa Brawn.

So if you are already in Calgary or are soon to visitng look up...look waaaaayyy up...and check some of the best darned talent this city has to offer..

expeditionism.com

Flickr: Lisa Brawn

Emerging Talents Abound

2009-03-29T13:35:00.005-06:00

In an effort to promote ongoing support of our fledgling yet fantastic art community in Calgary, Box Social will gladly help by posting your latest and greatest event. This one will definitely be a winner!!

Kudos to Aurora Landin and her FINA class at ACAD!!

Calgary, Alberta

ABSINTHE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER

(MARCH 29- APRIL 1)

Come view the work of 20 piping hot artists who are emerging straight from the artistic oven that is the Alberta College of Art and Design.

The show will be open between March 29- April 1 from 11am- 5pm each day at Eau Claire Market (across from the New Gallery)

(Remember parking is only $2 in the parkade after 5:00pm!!)

Closing reception will be held Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 pm.

Please attend to meet the artists in attendance:
Danielle Cameron
Kristen Carleton
Ali Christensen
Kelly Covert
Madelaine Dingwall
Christopher Douglas
Rachel Escoe
Kenzie Housego
Andrea Jensen
Terry Kazakoff
Ying Lee
Taryn Mckay
Chelsa Mossing
Elizabeth Munro
Zoe Schneider
Carly Slade
Jill Waldron
Byoung Woo Choi
Gabriela Zamora
Annamaria Zatko

2009-03-25T07:55:00.003-06:00

FFWD March 26, 2009 Issue

(Fast Forward Weekly)

Mariko Paterson, half founder of Box Social, will be featured as one of 12 artists featured in Fast Forward Weekly this Thursday, March 26.

Riley Brandt is to be thanked for his photographic talents that should appear above the contents section close to front page of this great Calgary Weekly!

Click on the following to see more of Riley's great work!!

http://www.rileybrandt.com
http://rbphoto.wordpress.com

Uppercase Gallery

2009-03-19T22:22:00.009-06:00

A hearty thanks to Calgary's Uppercase Gallery who has congratulated us in their blog!!

http://www.uppercasegallery.ca/uppercase-journal/2009/3/20/congratulations-to-box-social.html

Uppercase is soon to be in need of a Big Congratulations themselves as they are about to launch their very own Uppercase Magazine! It promises to be fabulous quarterly affair (first issue out in April 2009) that will feature "inquisitve" ponderings on "artists, illustrators, designers, photographers, filmmakers and musicians, whether they're upstarts or icons, famous or shy, verbal or visual."

We can't wait to crack open our first issue!!!

Located conveniently in Art Central in Calgary's downtown core, Uppercase Gallery is definitely worth a visit!

Horn Tooting!!

2009-03-19T11:26:00.007-06:00

Initial Commentary!

Wow just a few hours under our belt and we have had already the best feedback ever!!!

I just couldn't resist doin' a little Box Social horn tooting!!

"It's Beautiful!!! with a capital B! Good Work Ladies!!!" - KW, Calgary

"Its the most inspired web site I've ever come across." LF, Vancouver

"Looks Great Mariko. Nice Website!" - AH, Calgary

"It's AWESOME!! - DG, Calgary

"Congrats! Looks great." - AL, Calgary

"What a great website and idea! I will be checking it regularly.

Thanks for sending it to me and cheers to your success!!" -LS, Calgary

Wow, first impression of the site is that I love it !!!- JV, Calgary

"Your website looks pretty good guys!" -GW, Calgary

"Awesome site! It is so great to have a site like this that is Canadian!"- PA, Vancouver, BC

"Kick-Ass site!!! woo hooo!!! Wow, I'm impressed... and now I have an idea of how it looks, what's featured on it, etc. Gives me ideas...Very cool." - CR, Calgary

"Congrats on the launch of boxsocial!!!" - KC, Calgary

"website looks awesome!" - TF, Calgary

"This is awsome I am really impressed !!!"- PM, Nanaimo, BC

"Wow, it's beautiful! !!!! congratulations!" LB, Calgary

"Yay! Congrats, the site looks great and I'm so pleased to be part of it!!

Can't wait to pass the link along to all my friends!" - CJ, Calgary

"Web site looks great Mariko and Catherine." - CP, Winnipeg, MB

"Congratulations - this looks wonderful." -PB, Calgary

"I think this is so great." BM, Calgary

The Launch of Box Social!!

2009-03-18T15:38:00.009-06:00

It has been one big labor of love to put Box Social’s website and store together, but boxsocial.ca is completed and open for business!

On the site you will find the first of a few great Western Canadian artists that we know will grow in numbers over the months and years to come. So far we have a range of ceramic, print, wood and mixed media works for you to peruse by artists such as:

Cathy Terepocki Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Cindy Jaswal Vancouver, BC
Lisa Brawn Calgary, Alberta
Scribble Product Design Calgary, Alberta
Martin Tagseth Lake Lenore, Saskatchewan
Chris Pancoe Winnipeg, Manitoba
Reagan Cole McLean Calgary, Alberta

While their work is definitely for sale, please take the time to check out what they are all about through their Artist Bios and listings on the Events page.

If you are interested in submitting work for sale and/or would like a cultural event listed, please email us at:

mariko or catherine

You can also get a hold of us through the Contact Us page on our website.

Many thanks to our friends at Filament Communications Inc. for all our designing and programming needs! Without that strong grip on your mouse control this would have never looked so great!