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!!

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.