October 2021

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We always have a lot going on at MERA!
Stay up to date using our Facebook page and the MERA website!

October is drop in month at MERA. Come and visit our regular activities (such as the art circle, knitting, weaving, pottery, book club and more) in October and be eligible for a membership until January. The most up to date calendar of events is on our website here. Visitors will be required to follow COVID protocols.
In order to continue to provide a safe environment for our members, we are asking that you please book your drop in time with MERA admin at meraschoolhouse@gmail.com.
Below is a run down of the groups we currently have at MERA. Have a friend who might be interested in one of these groups? Share this newsletter with them, and invite them to "drop in"!

Pottery
We are a joyful group of potters who share space, tools and experience in the basement of the MERA schoolhouse. We are organized as a co-operative, sharing responsibility for making our studio a fun, open, supportive and safe place to enjoy creating works in clay both on and away from the wheel. Each studio member is encouraged to participate in both individual and collective projects, to contribute to studio maintenance tasks, and to teach and learn from the other potters. MERA potters also organize learning and teaching opportunities in the form of in-house workshops and sessions led by professional potters and contribute to the Annual MERA Christmas Fair.

Meeting Times: Tuesday at 1 pm and 5 pm, Wednesday at 5:30 pm
Contact Person: Jan Griffiths

Heritage Weavers
Tuesdays and Thursdays the weavers gather to plan and work on projects and are available to share ideas, advice and enthusiasm with each other and newer weavers. It’s an apprentice-like learn-as-you-go environment suited to those who have taken an introduction to weaving weekend workshop at a guild.
**Due to limited number of space and equipment, the weavers may not be able to accommodate new members at this time. Please check in before dropping in on this group.

Meeting Time: Tuesday at 10 am, Thursday at 9 am
Contact Person: Lise Loader

Quilting – MERA’s Needle Pushers
We welcome anyone who might have new techniques or designs to share or perhaps just has a desire to try something new.
Most of the fun of quilting is being with the people we quilt with. Newcomers learn by doing. If you would like to try quilting with us we will share our supplies with you until you figure out if quilting is your thing or not. The requirements for quilting are minimal. Those who have a portable sewing machine, rotary cutter and mat will bring that equipment when we are starting a quilt and we work together cutting out the pattern and assembling the quilt. Once the hand quilting begins each person needs their own thimble, scissors and quilting needles.

Meeting Time: Wednesday at 1 pm
Contact Person: Bonnie McQuat

Arts Circle
Be prepared to learn from and be inspired by what others in the group are working on. Informal presentations or technical instructions to the group will occur when a member feels they have something to offer. However, there will be plenty of time to work on your own piece and trade ideas and techniques with others in a casual way.
After only 6 years in existence, the group has hosted five art shows at MERA displaying a delightful variety of works. The pieces at each successive show has demonstrated a marked improvement, and have sold very well. Each sale gives 20% of the purchase price to MERA to help keep the doors open. As well, some members have held individual art shows during the year in Dean Hall.
This March, 2020, the Art Circle is mounting a fund-raiser for MERA, called Cruise the ReUse, wherein we will be incorporating articles found at the McDonald’s Corners reuse centre in our art for sale. This will include repurposed furniture, clothing, original art in old frames, etc. The vernissage time and possible auction for these items to be announced.
Come and join us, whether you are a beginner or more experienced. Each attendee will be required to bring their own paints, brushes and materials. Be sure to bring your laughter and sense of play.

Meeting Time: Fridays at 10 am until noon
Contact Person: Gloria Shoebridge

Fibre Arts & Knitters
If you're interested in the fibre arts (knitting, spinning, weaving, etc.) why not drop by MERA on a Thursday, when you'll find members and would-be members sitting around the table in the kitchen working on our projects.
Fibre Arts includes the knitters and the fibre arts free workshops group. The knitting group can best be described as self help. The members share techniques and new ideas with each other. We welcome anyone looking for assistance or wanting to start from “scratch”. All of us benefit from the interaction. And we just to talk – about everything. There have been tongue-in-cheek complaints from others in the building that we laugh too much.

Meeting Time: Fibre Arts meets Thursday at 9 am, Knitters meet Thursday at 10 am
Contact Person: Hilary Barrett

Zoom Book Club
The book club is currently running monthly meetings on Zoom. Each month, a different group member facilitates an engaging discussion on the book of the month.

Contact Person: Jean Dunning

WORKSHOPS THIS MONTH

We have two exciting workshops this month! Register for workshops by emailing MERA admin: meraschoolhouse@gmail.com

Beginner Wire Weaving Pendants
Oct 16, 2021, 10 AM – 4 PM
Member price: $75
Non-member price: $85
Wire, semi precious stones and chains included for two pendants
Bring your own needle nose pliers and wire cutters
minimum age: 15 years
minimum participants: 5 people
Patti Jo Wilson
pjdavid31@hotmail.com
613 278 1501

Bent Metal Sculptures

October 30, 2021 from 10 am to 3 pm
Member price: $40
Non-Member price: $48
A one-day workshop taking you from paper pattern to finished sculpture, using aluminum flashing and acrylic paints. Some supplies and tools needed. Art history reference: Picasso’s cut metal sculptures

Instructor: Cathy Blake

Friendly reminder that MERA is a scent free space. Do not use perfume, cologne, or other fragrances. Please help keep this a healthy and happy environment for everyone.

CLASSICAL RETURNS TO MERA

Paul Marleyn and Frederic Lacroix
October 3rd at 2:00 pm
Purchase tickets from Tickets Please here

Cellist Paul Marleyn tours regularly in North America, Europe and Asia. He has appeared as soloist with the London Philharmonia, Belgrade Philharmonic, European Chamber, Winnipeg Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony and Manitoba Chamber orchestras. From 1993-97, Paul was principal cellist of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and has served at professor of cello at the University of Manitoba, and more recently at the University of Ottawa, where he now mentors an award-winning studio of young cellists.

Pianist Frédéric Lacroix has performed in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative pianist, having performed with many of Canada’s most important musicians. He has made regular radio appearances on the Canadian CBC and SRC or the American NPR. Frédéric is also active as a composer, having composed for the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, the Society of American Music, the Canadian University Music Society, the Choeur Classique de l’Outaouais and other noted Canadian musicians.

MIA KELLY RETURNS TO THE MERA SCHOOLHOUSE

Sunday October 10th, 2 pm
Tickets are available from Tickets Please here

After wowing 100 people at an outdoor fund-raising concert at the MERA Schoolhouse last summer, Music at MERA is proud to announce the return of Mia Kelly for an indoors, COVID safe concert.

Mia is a bilingual, Ottawa-Gatineau-based singer/songwriter who through folk music with a twist of soulful blues, her powerful voice draws audiences into her heartfelt stories and raw emotions. Filling spaces with sing-alongs and stomping feet, she lights up the room with her happy soul and infectious energy.

Lynn Saxberg, the music reviewer of the Ottawa Citizen, wrote that “Mia Kelly has knockout voice.. with heartfelt songs” and Kelly Symes of the Ottawa Bluesfest commented that, “Mia's powerful vocals transcend her young years and she has an impressive natural confidences that is rarely seen.”

With many performances and releases under her belt, she was named one of Ottawa's ten artists to watch in 2020 (Ottawa Citizen). With her youthful spirit and fresh material, 18-year-old Mia Kelly is making her mark in the Canadian Folk scene.

Don't forget to renew your membership! Memberships are due for 2021. Please do not hesitate to email me if you are unsure about whether your membership has been renewed or not. It does not hurt to double check!