For Immediate Release: VANS in Residence with Halifax Public Libraries

Aprill 21, 2011 –  Professional Artists in the School (PAINTS) program artist Pat Loucks has just completed Visual Arts Nova Scotia’s (VANS) first ever half-time residency with Halifax Public Libraries at the Captain William Spry Library in April.  Over the last 4-weeks, Loucks has spent 20 hours per week at the library involved in both her own work and in leading workshops with children, youth and others.  Dozens of children and youth participated, as well as groups of adults.

During the VANS in Residence in April, Loucks led workshops in tie dying, print making on fabric, digital printing on fabric, artist books and collaborative ‘quilt’ projects both on fabric and on paper.  As well as worked on a series of  Four Small Quilts, Spryfield Reflections using cotton fabrics that are dyed, and stitched, and which incorporate antique handkerchiefs.

The works created by youth and other community members at the Captain William Spry Library will be exhibited publicly in the branch for the next two weeks.

Pat Loucks is a textile artist living in Bedford, NS.  She received a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from NSCAD University, and has also studied at Haystack Mountain School of Craft in many textile-related workshops. Loucks has been involved in art projects in local schools through 4Cs, ArtSmarts and PAINTS programs and has taught surface design workshops for adults. Her works have been shown in galleries across Canada and are in private and public collections, including the NS Art Bank, IWK Health Centre and the United Church of Canada. Interested in exploring marks, patterns and forms that are left on the landscape as a result of both human activity and natural forces, including tidal action, the cutting down of forests, seasonal growth patterns, are often explored in her recent work.   Her work is also influenced by the long tradition of “women’s work” in textiles, including embroidery, quilt patterns and patchwork. Learn more about Loucks, here.

Working for the advancement and rights of the visual arts and artists of Nova Scotia, VANS is an inclusive, province-wide non-profit organization, reflecting the richness and diversity of the Nova Scotia visual arts sector. Acting as a leader on issues affecting visual artists, advocating support and advancement of the visual arts in the provincial and national arenas and being a resource for visual artists and the arts in Nova Scotia, the public frequently consults and refers to VANS, regarding the visual arts in Nova Scotia. For additional information on Visual Arts Nova Scotia, please visit www.visualarts.ns.ca.

For media inquiries or more information about VANS in Residence, please contact Andrea Ritchie, PAINTS program coordinator at (902) 423-4694, 1-866-225-8267  or paints@visualarts.ns.ca.