Exhibition Opening Reception at Blue Seed Studios

Two celebrations will occur at BluSeed Studios on Friday December 14, the first being an opening for a new international print exhibit titled: “Tsi Nón:we Tewèn:teron” or “Where Our Home Is”. Having toured throughout Eastern Canada, this traveling exhibition “Where Our Home Is”, has been brought to Saranac Lake through, The Centre de l’Image et de l’Estampe de Mirabel (CIEM)and artist and CIEM mentor Martin Loft. The second reason for celebration is to introduce BluSeed Studios new Office Manager and Coordinator Michelle Hannon.

As stated from the “Tsi Nón:we Tewèn:teron” catalog, “The art of printmaking necessitates truth. From apprenticeship to mastery, the printmaker cannot lie. The works assembled here enchant us through their sincerity and the freshness, spontaneity and astonishment of discovery they emanate”. “Where Our Home Is” presents a wide range of works on paper all created by the young Kanehsatake (Mohawk) printmakers, whom participated in a mentoring program offered to them at The Centre de l’Image et de l’Estampe de Mirabel (CIEM). The prints are chosen from the production of fifteen participants who frequented CIEM from 2007 to 2010.

Each annual internship involved an open theme: identity, territory and mythology that served as a connecting thread as the interns learned the techniques of printmaking, traditional and digital. Each participant was free to either follow the suggested theme, to widen its scope, or to move away from it. From this thus emerges a great diversity of approaches. The artist in the Tsi Nón:we Tewèn:teron / Where Our Home is are as follows: Roger Nelson, Jasmin Gunn, Daakota Bonspille, Jason Montour, Kyle Bonspille, Felix Drolet, Craig Nicholas, Melissa Cree, Sherry Benedict, Melinda Nelson, Alannah Gabriel, Alannah Gabriel, Audrey Avery, and Martin Loft.

The Centre de l’Image et de l’Estampe de Mirabel (CIEM) provides equipment and instructors of the highest quality to the youth of Kanehsatake in the context of a training program. This initiation in the traditional techniques of printmaking and new image- making technologies culminates in the presentation of the touring exhibition Where Our Home Is. The CIEM is also a production workshop, meeting place, and promotional centre, and is undeniably the creative centre of cultural events for all the communities of the Lower Laurentians. Michelle joined BluSeed’s ranks on November 20, and has already made a major impact with her presence. She moved to Saranac Lake from Detroit with her husband, Dan, in 2002 after Technical Sales careers in the Automotive Industry, and has fallen in love with Saranac Lake and the Adirondack Mountains. Since moving here, she has been involved with Literacy Volunteers, Community Theater Players and Girl Scouts. She has had a variety of interesting jobs including Customer Service Manager for the “Adirondack Explorer,” Program Director at the Lake Clear Girl Scout Camp, and Concierge at The Whiteface Lodge. She is excited about her new position at BluSeed Studios. The public is invited from 4pm-6pm to view the show and meet Michelle Hannon.

Please join us to welcome Michelle Hannon and our visiting artists; it is free and open to the public. On Saturday January 27 there will be a special closing with the Kanehsatake (Mohawk) printmakers. The public is invited to attend to meet these fine artists from 4-6pm. This exhibit runs from December 14- January 27. BluSeed Studios winter gallery hours are 12pm-6pm, Monday-Saturday or by appointment.