SPRING 2017 — GOD EDITION featured artist: karen cassidy society of northern alberta print-artists message from 10123–121 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, t5n 3w9 the board But I am not here to proselytize the 780.423.1492 | [email protected] | snapartists.com relationship of printmaking and religion The history of printmaking from a pulpit — or am I? From SNAP’s is steeped in the history of board of directors, I welcome you to the 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS message from the executive director God edition of SNAPLine! [email protected] religion. From early woodblock To those indoctrinated into the cult of Welcome to the Spring 2017 edition of SNAPline; the GOD Edition. president rubbings of the Buddha SNAP, I say thank you. To those hesitating Our 2016 shift to thematic publications has allowed us to develop on taking a leap of faith (to Sponsor Brenda Malkinson rich editorial content, when selecting our 2017 SNAPline themes, to the Gutenberg Bible — Membership) I say — do so and you shall vice president (shared) producing a print culture publication on GOD seemed potentially printmaking technology Megan Bertagnolli risky and also too exciting and rewarding to not do. Exploring this be rewarded with four limited edition fine theme through the long historied relationship between the printed translated the mystical and art prints. vice president (shared) word or image and religion has allowed our writers and artists to Some might ask, “How else can one Mark Dutton make some profound connections. SNAPline featured artist Karen unknown into tangible form. support SNAP?” As a charitable organization, Cassidy, a long time member and SNAP printshop renter, explores It provided thousands of treasurer the relationship between spiritual consciousness and creation in we rely on the goodwill of those who Elliot Kerr her limited edition series Spiritus in the Ovarium. A similar con- laypeople access to religious give. Simply put, a tithing in the form of a secretary nection is made in the special project contributed by Blair Brennan iconography without visiting charitable donation. This can be done in Marian Switzer Expect A Miracle. person or online. We were thrilled to be able to provide another platform for a church or palace. It was directors Borys Tarasenko’s Sweet Jesus colouring book project and we hope through religious leaflets By becoming a sponsor member or by Andrew Benson you might share your coloured interpretations with us online. making a charitable donation you are given James Boychuk-Hunter Wendy McGrath will be a recurring contributor throughout 2017 and tracts that robust the opportunity to support our belief that Emilienne Gervais producing the ‘My Process’ interviews that dig into individual conversations about god — printmaking is a vital form of contemporary Ashna Jacob artists’ studio practice. This edition explores SNAP member Tim art that builds diverse, creative and engaged Ferdinand Langit Grieco’s work in printmaking and music. Carolyn Jervis and Robin interpretation of who or what Laura Ritchie Willey have collaborated on an essay that opens up and digs into communities. Matt Whitson a mysterious link between Grand Rapids’ relationship to visual god is/was — would stir. In Although it may seem otherwise, culture and how their unprecedented art competition has infiltrated a way, religious printmaking publications committee reaching out to the board isn’t as and influenced evangelical circles there. intimidating as going to the confessional. Stephanie Bailey The SNAPline publications committee is proud of the work became a vehicle meant to Alex Keays we’ve accomplished and this beautiful inspire and/or question. It was Have a question for the board? Send us an Sergio Serrano publication wouldn’t be possible without email at [email protected]. Riva Symko the support of our print sponsor McCallum also a way for printmakers printing group. As always I encourage our to depict god through their STAFF readers to participate fully in SNAP’s pro- grams and events — a listing of upcoming own interpretations of the executive director classes and exhibitions can be found on subject matter they were April Dean page 30. We hope to see you here soon, [email protected] in the meantime happy colouring. hired to translate. As artists communications coordinator April Dean, began experimenting with the Alex Linfield Executive Director figure of god, the relationship [email protected] between god and the artist printshop & programs FUNDERS Ferdinand Langit coordinator changed. Ever murkier than Director, Amanda Mckenzie before, art and religion are SNAP Board of Directors [email protected] interesting bedfellows. And why shouldn’t a society of SNAP loves all the volunteers, northern Alberta print artists members, supporters and funders 2016 SEASON SPONSORS that make our organization not also engage with this long- just possible but also a thriving running dialogue? art community. A special thanks to our funders and supporters. snapline spring 2017 / 3 snapline spring 2017 Contributors GOD to this issue E D N I T I O Blair Brennan combines his writing and art practice from his home in Edmonton. His drawings, sculpture and installations have been exhibited internationally in numerous group and solo Trust your masterpiece exhibitions. Brennan has contributed articles to a number of national arts and cultural publications. His favourite Ramones to us for cost effective song is “Strength to Endure”. fine quality printing. Carolyn Jervis is an art writer and curator. She has a Master of Arts degree in Art History (Critical Curatorial Studies) from the University of British Columbia and has worked extensively McCallum Printing specializes in comprehensive in visual arts organizations in Edmonton. Carolyn’s most recent printing solutions for our customers. published work can be found in the current issue of C Magazine. We offer the broadest range of products Currently, she is preparing the opening and inaugural year of MacEwan University’s new art gallery, which will open Fall 2017. and services in Edmonton. Wendy McGrath is the author of two poetry collections and three novels. Her most recent book of poetry, A Revision of OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES INCLUDE: Forward (NeWest August 2015) is the culmination of a long-term collaboration of poetry and prints between herself and Edmonton • limited edition • stickers & decals • order forms printmaker Walter Jule. She is currently at work on the final novel prints • banners • annual reports in the Santa Rosa trilogy, a collection of essays, and a poetry-jazz collaboration with local musicians. • posters • point-of-purchase • catalogues • calendars displays • magnets Borys Tarasenko is a multidisciplinary artist based in • postcards • letterhead • direct mail products Edmonton, Alberta. A BFA Art & Design grad from University of Alberta with a focus in Painting, his work examines spirituality, • soft & hardcover • business cards • newsletters human consumption, and cultural identity. Borys has been books • envelopes • cling film printing involved in a number of public art projects, released a colouring • brochures • flyers • warehousing/ book this past year, and shown work throughout Edmonton and • web based ordering • coupons fulfillment & parts of USA. • forms • note pads logistics Robin Willey has recently completed his PhD in sociology and is currently an instructor at the University of Alberta and the University of Alberta — Augustana. His research has generally focused on Evangelical Christianity in Canada. While he has STATE OF THE ART | ECO FRIENDLY | PRINT | CROSS MEDIA | MAILING previously published articles on the difficulties of conducting research in church communities, social theories of religion, and the sexual practices of Evangelical young adults, his most recent research looks to investigate the changing theo-political orientations of Canadian Evangelicals. 4 / snapline spring 2017 snapline spring 2017 / 5 Spiritus in the ‘Ovarium’ Our bodies are made The plush red garden atrium presents as a gathering place from which sentient up of the elements of female cells cycle through repeated this earth. What are opportunities to be human. Inside the chamber of the ‘ovarium’ one is the size our spirits made of? of the head of a pin yet one experiences an immovable sense of purpose. It is My art is a visual expression of a understood that a life experience in dreamtime experience. It is a story about a corporeal world is temporary and snapline spring 2017 spiritual consciousness. necessary for a sentient being to spiritually featured artist I dream that I am seated inside an progress. It is a familiar and routine orchid red chamber. There are many others phenomenon. Equally essential is male Karen Cassidy present. Assembled in perfectly organized energy to complete the master plan. rows are countless female beings of Inspired by a dream reverie my work “I am a graduate of Grant MacEwan varying ages, wrapped gently in folds of is a visual exploration of female and male School of Nursing 1977 and satiny warmth. It is a form of seedpod filled energies and the spiral of birth and rebirth. a graduate of MacEwan and with spiritual gems. Ever calm, expectantly, It is a theory of God and Spirit and mud. University of Alberta Schools of silently, all wait for a very momentous P. Yogananda in his book explains Fine Art 2008, 2011, majoring in event to transpire. Eventually each one will that the soul cannot be burned, drowned, Printmaking and Painting. issue from the crimson sanctuary into the stabbed, or shattered. The devotee realizes… Presently I work in the health gravitational flow of a silky current and care education field and maintain a traverse a physiology designed towards “I am not the body. studio practice at SNAP Gallery. the creation of a human being. To she who I am formless. In the current works I strive to ‘goes out’ before me, I send a quiet hopeful I am joy It Self. realize gender energies as spiritual wish for a fruitful union with the energy’s I am just coming from the consciousness.