SPARK Disability Art Festival 2016

NOVEMBER 28 - December 2, 2016

For the 2016 festival SPARK curated a series of five visual art exhibits across Calgary, each exploring themes of Art & Disability from a variety of perspectives and in all media. Of the 245 submissions received, the Festival featured over 140 pieces from Canadian artists pan-disability.

There were 5 galleries that were involved in hosting the exhibitions: Alberta College of Art and Design (Main Hall), Arts Commons (+15), IDAS Optimist Gallery, Loft 112, and Studio C.

SATELLITE EXHIBITONS

In addition to SPARK's juried exhibitions, In-Definite Arts and Studio C were pleased to partner with the University of Calgary in 2016 to present new SPARK art exploring ability, disability and mental health. U of C students exhibited sculptures on the theme of Adapt, Ability, Disability during the festival, as well as collaborative drawings created through partnered expression (where U of C students paired with artists from the In-Definite Arts Society to create jointly rendered drawings).

Both series of artworks were featured together at the U of C Art Building under the shared title Creative Growth. The exhibits were on display November 28 through December 2, and the reception took place November 30 with an estimated audience of 100 visitors.

Special thanks are extended to the following University of Calgary Art Department faculty who worked closely with SPARK this year: Dick Averns (Instructor, Department of Art), Jennifer Eiserman (Associate Professor, Department of Art) and Michele Hardy (Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Art, Curator, Nickle Galleries), as well as the many students, technical and administration staff who made this collaboration possible.

The Festival was curated by Colin Menzies, Daniel Cristini and Roxanne Taylor, with special thanks to the Jury Committee: Aeliot Blackwell, Paula Timm and Nicky Van Minnen.