Saint John Sculpture Symposium 2018

Photos of sculptures being created from stone on the waterfront at the the former Coast Guard site.

Details of the sculpture symposium at: http://sculpturesaintjohn.com/

Library Book sale

The Saint John Free Public Library is hosting its annual Book Sale in Market Square today and tomorrow (May 3 and 4, 2013).  A good way to soak in some uptown culture and get some interesting books from days past.

The Paramount documentary

“This is not a film to encourage people to save old buildings, but to appreciate, value and not take them for granted” explains Greg Hemming, the Producer/Director of The Paramount in a recent press release.

The Paramount documentary will air on CBC Atlantic on August 25, 2012 at 8pm and explores the efforts to revitalize the old theatre that site on the edge of King Square.

A promotional video about the doc is on Vimeo:

http://vimeo.com/31338956

Sculpture Symposium

The Sculpture Symposium on the Coast Guard site is going strong with some great pieces of public art being created. I took these pictures on Friday.

The symposium website is: http://www.sculpturesaintjohn.com/

Local artist/entrepreneur and symposium intern Alison Gayton is also sharing details about the process the sculptors and workers are going through on her blog:

http://ilovesjpottery.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/august-10-second-friday-at-the-saint-john-sculpture-symposium/

“Thanks to a shipping error I am now currently overstocked on wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube men”

   - Al Harrington, Family Guy

Buskers events have started on the boardwalk:

Ben Caplan playing the boardwalk

Great show last night. Ben Caplan entertained the crowd.

Salty Jam: Fred Penner

Fred Penner brought the sun out and brought a huge crowd to the boardwalk.

Salty Jam Songwriters Circle in the rain

Some diehard music fans stayed and watched these dedicated performers in a lightning storm.

Inspirational quotes in King Square

Last night I saw this and many other inspirational quotes taped to benches around King Square.  Whoever put them there, thanks.

Saint John Free School

The Saint John Free School will be holding another day of free educational seminars on February 18, 2012.

Details: http://www.sjfreeschool.ca/

From the site:

“Come! Enjoy DIY workshops, academic discussions and physical activities as well as adult supervised children’s activities!”

Timepiece repairs

The Hooper timepiece that is normally on display in front of Market Square is currently inside being repaired.  These two guys are waiting for a new paint job.

Paramount Theatre

I feel I’ve neglected the issue of the Paramount Theatre restoration initiative on this blog.  This isn’t an intentional slight to the hard work of those involved.  I hope they can succeed in ensuring there is adequate cultural performance space in the community.

You read more about the initiative at the Uptown Saint John Paramount project website.  I snapped this photo of the theatre earlier today.

NB Museum repairs

The NB Museum is fenced off for repairs at its historic Douglas Avenue location.  It looks like they are working on the front steps.

Saint John: CBC Maritimes Cultureville

Saint John has been named CBC Maritimes Cultureville for 2011. The diverse arts community and city’s public art funding program are credited with the win.

The CBC contest was described as the search for the region’s “most culturally vibrant community.”  Following last year’s designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada, Saint John is fortunate to be recognized for the culturally assets many artists and volunteers have worked to develop.

The video that goes through the top 10 choices for Cultureville features Saint John starting around minute 19:23 in the video.

Sculpture Saint John

I really enjoy seeing public art, and think it enhances the communities in which it is located.  So, I’m pretty excited about the International Sculpture Symposium taking place in Saint John in 2012.

The event will see international sculptors create works of art from August to mid September 2012 on the Saint John waterfront.  The sculptures are then located around the greater community.

This should be an interesting way to add a bit more art to Greater Saint John.

Paramount Theatre restoration

Slocum and Ferris, The Feels Good Store and Back Street records are selling “I <3 the Paramount” buttons that are being used as a fundraiser to support the Paramount Theatre restoration initiative.  According to the Telegraph Journal, a couple of hundred dollars have already been raised by volunteer Mike McDonald when he sold the buttons at the Harvesting the Arts initiative.

Harvesting the Arts–September 24, 2011

The Harvesting the Arts Festival will be taking place this Saturday.  Last year there was great music and art in King Square. I’m sure this year will not disappoint.  There’s more details on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harvesting-the-Arts-Festival/139999472689676#!/pages/Harvesting-the-Arts-Festival/139999472689676?sk=info

Queen Square Farmers Market coverage in TJ

Today, the TJ covered the upcoming August 28, 2011 Queen Square Farmer’s Market.

As a lover of Farmers Markets and central Saint John, I am very excited for this event and hope its flooded with people who show that there is demand for such awesome ideas.

Also, for those with a love of Farmers Markets and self-aware humour:  http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/01/18/5-farmers-markets/

Canada Day Eve on the Saint John waterfront

Postering charges dropped in HRM

Halifax has a by-law that limits where you can post event posters.  This didn’t stop Evolve promoters from putting up some signage for their event last year.  The organizer was charged and faced $4,500 in fines.

The charges have been dropped according to The Coast. 

The lawyer working in the defense of the organizer suggests that postering is a form of communication that is protected under the Canadian Chart of Rights and Freedoms.

I’ve said before that postering is proof an active culture in a city.  I’m pleased that the Evolve folks didn’t have to pay to promote what was voted the best music festival in Canada.