1. Community Support for Fort McMurray Evacuees
2. Alberta Artists Entertain Evacuees Waiting for Debit Cards
3. See Fort Mac Artist Russell Thomas' Incredible Painting
4. Deadline Extended: Apply for the AFA Board of Directors
Support for Fort McMurray Evacuees
As wildfires ravaged Fort McMurray last week, thousands of Albertans were evacuated, forced to leave behind their homes and lives. Several Albertan organizations, municipalities, companies and individuals have banded together to provide support, resources, and raise funds to support the evacuees. This includes plenty of arts organizations and artists donating proceeds from events. See below for a list of resources and events that support Fort McMurray evacuees.
General Information from the Government of Alberta
Resources in Edmonton via The Edmonton Journal
Resources in Calgary via Calgary.ca
How Can Calgary Help? via Calgary Herald
Support the Fort: A Listing of Fort McMurray Fundraisers via MacLeans
Music Fundraisers in Edmonton via CKUA
Free Admission to Arts Events for Evacuees in Calgary
Fundraisers In and Around Red Deer via KG Country
Marathon Sewing Fundraiser Events via Black Gold Quilt Patch, Leduc
#YMMHelps Art Auction
Many galleries, performances, museums and other arts organizations are also offering free admission for evacuees. Check
#YMMHelps for up-to-date information.
Alberta Artists Entertain Evacuees Waiting for Debit Cards
DJ Qpid, a Fort McMurray evacuee himself, entertains others waiting in line for a debit card.
Several Alberta artists have stepped up to make the evacuees in line at debit card distribution centres' wait a little more entertaining.
Edmonton Folk Festival, Edmonton Street Performers Festival, Alberta Touring Arts Alliance, Calgary Arts Development, and Alberta Culture and Tourism worked together to organize family-oriented entertainment for thousands of wildfire evacuees that waiting to receive emergency debit cards in distribution centres in Edmonton, Calgary, and Lac La Biche.
Cariacature Artist Simon provides free drawings for evacuees waiting at the Butterdome in Edmonton
Just another way that all of Alberta pitches in and pulls together.
See Fort Mac Artist Russell Thomas' Incredible Painting
An incredible painting of Fort McMurray Fire Chief Darby Allen has been circulating social media this week. The artist, Russell Thomas, was evacuated from Fort McMurray last week in the middle of leading a painting workshop for the United Way. "I had the shirt on my back, the flip-flops on my feet, and my paints in the back seat of the car. That's what I left with. It's totally ironic and beautiful at the same time."
Russell said the original painting is "a symbol of courage and heart," and will be gifted to the Fort McMurray fire department.
Prints of the painting are being sold through United Way, with all proceeds going to agencies in Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo who help children, youth, adults, seniors.
See the painting
on Russell's Facebook page. Read more about the painting and Russel
here (via CBC).
Deadline Extended: Apply for the AFA Board of Directors
We've extended the deadline for applications to fill six vacancies on our Board of Directors, including the Chair.We're looking for applicants from the following regions: Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and Medicine Hat.
Applications will be accepted until May 24.
The AFA Board is responsible for policy and funding decisions in support of Alberta artists and arts organizations. The Board oversees AFA programming and operations that implement the AFA Strategic Plan. This includes the review and approval of all grants, awards and the acquisition art for the AFA Collection.
Read more here.
