By Emily Rogers
Red Deer Express
Staff members at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (MAG) are working hard to cater to many different people during the summer months by hosting various events to participate in.
“We do so much, we work hard to be family-orientated,” said Marketing and Funding Development Associate Karli Kendall.
From July 17th to July 21st, the MAG will be hosting a Galleries Galore summer camp for ages six to eight.
The goal of this camp is for children to create their very own art exhibitions to be placed in a gallery. Included in Galleries Galore is a tour of MAG’s art storage area and a glimpse at art collections that have been hidden away.
Supervised outdoor time and activities are also included in the Galleries Galore summer camp.
Youth ages nine to 11 can take part in the Calling All Art Lovers! Summer camp.
Youth will create extraordinary art projects while learning the techniques used. Included in the week-long camp is an opportunity to visit the MAG’s art collection as well.
“Our summer camps provide children and youth the opportunity to immerse themselves fully in creative play,” said Kim Verrier, coordinator of visitor experience.
The MAG also has events that cater to the entire family such as the new Cultural Tuesdays running from 1 to 4 p.m.
This is geared to all ages and art supplies provided, and it’s free.
Families can stop by the MAG to participate in a drop-in class where they will be creating custom portfolios filled with their own artwork from previous weeks.
The goal of Cultural Tuesdays is to celebrate the diversity across Canada; every week the theme of the series will focus on a different culture.
Offered year-round is MAGnificent Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Families can attend the art class for $10 where all ages are welcomed, but greater than five is ideal.
MAGnificent Saturdays feature local and guest artists and they are a great way for families to make art together, added Kendall.
Meanwhile, a new exhibition from the MAG is ‘Memory Bones’ running until Aug. 20th.
Artist Jewel Shaw investigates how ancestral trauma may be passed on through DNA influencing the living. ‘Memory Bones’ is an exploration of memory, identity and loss through symbolic imagery.
Shaw uses printmaking, drawing and digital media to explore these concepts further.
For Heritage Day on Aug. 7th from 1 to 4 p.m., the MAG will also be hosting a Welcome to Red Deer Party, where all ages get in for free and are welcomed.
The Canada 150 murals of Red Deer residents captured by photographer Tim Van Horn will also be unveiled on the south side of the MAG building.
Included in the day’s events are waffles by Wannawafel, various activities, games and live music by Trent Agecoutay and Kaylee Rose.
Kendall added the MAG is constantly changing exhibitions and showcasing local artists while featuring a broader context of programs that will appeal to many people.
“We aren’t only an art gallery or a museum, we are both worlds.”
