Octopus Project III: PUSH / PULL

Thank you to all of the artists who participated in Octopus Project II: ONCE ... and thank you to Ed Kotanen and David Rayfield for graciously allowing us the use of their studio to house our expanding show.

We have uploaded a gallery of images to our website. We look forward to seeing the show come together in May!

The spark for Octopus Project III is "PUSH / PULL" in honour of Doors Open Toronto, during which time the show will be hosted.

Show details are as follows ...
Octopus Project III: PUSH / PULL
Friday May 23rd - Sunday May 25th
Opening reception Friday May 23rd in the evening (time to be confirmed later).

Due to the amazing growth of the show and thus the work involved, we have increased the participation fee to $15.00. Also due to the growth of the show, and the space we have available, we will be limiting the number of participants to 100, and the number of entries per artist or collaborative team to one submission/person or team. As per our last show, the maximum size per piece will again be 30 x 30 inches. We have been thrilled with your enthusiasm, support and talent and look forward to seeing the show evolve and further grow as we continue with the Octopus Project. Many great possibilities and sparks are to come!

If you would like to participate in the Octopus Project III: PUSH / PULL, please confirm back to us by APRIL 20th.

The OCTOPUS PROJECT seeks to …
• Provide an outlet for artists to keep making art by offering a challenge to create (a "spark") based on something we may not usually be inspired by.
• Bring playfulness back into art and the art process.
• Offer an avenue to reconnect with the sparks that fuel creativity.
• Create a shared visual representation of diversity within unity through one theme with many different voices.

WHO … You. Painters, sculptors, photographers, printmakers, storytellers, musicians, performers, puppeteers, writers, poets,
potters, glass artists, beaders, sewers, quilters, doll makers, dancers. Anyone who uses creativity as an outlet, who uses creativity to express themselves and wants to share that with others in an environment of community, collaboration and support. Note that if you are a performer or dancer, please speak with us about how we can accommodate your submission, as we want all art/creative forms to be included.

WHAT … A collective show, running for one weekend, every eight weeks based on one image, sent out as a "spark" to our mailing list. Artists are to create 1 piece each, either individually or in collaboration, with maximum dimensions of 30 x 30 inches.

WHEN ... Participants must confirm they will be submitting a piece to the show by APRIL 20th. The drop off times will be 1-2 days before the event and will be sent out to participants in advance. The show will take place May 23 - 25th, with opening reception on the evening of May 23rd, as part of the Doors Open Toronto weekend.

WHERE … 55 Mill St., The Case Goods Warehouse in the Distillery District, Studio 410 (home of Melanie Gordon Photography) and 4th floor studios.

HOW … By e-mailing us at octopusprojecttoronto@gmail.com and including your name, contact info (including phone number please) and mediums you work in (all of them). We are asking for a participation fee of $15 to cover the cost of installation and production (flyers etc.) All works will be for sale and artists will receive 100% of the sale price. If you do not wish to sell your pieces, you can specify this with us.

Welcome to the Octopus Project, we look forward to playing with you all!

Regards,
Catherine Mellinger & Melanie Gordon
co-facilitators

News for the Week!

Some gorgeous news for the week as people are supporting us in our adventure and we are getting ready for the show!

We have been asked to speak about the Octopus Project on air for LES ARTS ET LES AUTRES on CBC Radio (franco) on Wednesday March 19th at 12noon. Our interview is slotted for 12:20. The show will air on 860AM, as well as on Rogers Cable channel 942, as well as aired on Sirius Sateline Radio online, channel 138.

We have also been featured in the RED LETTER by Lisa Pijuan-Nomura ... see the link below!

RED LETTER

On to the show!
Catherine & Melanie