Artist in Residence

• Program Schedule

  Programming during the residency takes place at City of Abbotsford recreation centres, City events, and partner venues. All activities are free to attend. Registration is encouraged, but drop-ins will be accommodated as space allows. A schedule of activities and events will be shared soon.

  Be sure to check back often, as this schedule is frequently updated.

  Date	Location	Description
  Thursday June 6 12:30pm-2pm	ARC Seniors Luncheon & Open House Abbotsford Recreation Centre 2499 McMillan Rd	Lost Connection, Reconnected 'Stamp-A-Card" Create a card with hand-cut stamps.  Take a moment to reminisce and  share a written memory to send to a  friend or loved one. Limited to 55yrs+.
  Thursday June 20 12pm-2pm	Matsqui Recreation Centre 3106 Clearbrook Rd	Pop-up Studio  & Collaborative Painting Drop-in and say hello to the artist in  their pop-up studio. View the creative  process, and contribute to a  collaborative painting on-site.
  Thursday June 27 3:30pm-7:30pm	Go Play Outside Mill Lake Park (Bevan) 33015 Bevan Ave	Lost Connection, Reconnected 'Stamp-A-Card" Create a card with hand-cut stamps.  Take a moment to reminisce and  share a written memory to send to a  friend or loved one.
  Monday July 1 1pm-5pm	Canada Day Abbotsford Exhibition Park 32470 Haida Dr	Custom Flag Printing Choose from a series of hand-carved  Canadian- inspired stamps to create  your own flag for Canada day.
  Monday July 8 10am -11:30am	Healthy Aging Abbotsford Craft & Chat Matsqui Recreation Centre 3106 Clearbrook Rd	Watercolour Bookmarks Drop in and learn watercolour painting  techniques to create your own  mountain landscape bookmarks.  Limited to 55+.
  Wednesday July 10 11am-12pm	Abbotsford Youth Commission Abbotsford Recreation Centre 2499 McMillan Rd	Express Yourself! Button Making Create a unique button from a selection  of hand carved stamps or design and  colour your own. Limited to AYC camp  participants only
  Thursday July 18 10am-1:30pm	Skate Camp McMillan Youth Park 2499 McMillan Rd	Skate Park Sticker Making Create custom stickers from  a selection of artist designs, or  create your own. Open to all ages,  no registration required.
  Tuesday July 30 12pm-2pm	Abbotsford Recreation Centre 2499 McMillan Rd	Pop-up Studio & Collaborative Painting Drop-in and say hello to the artist in  their pop-up studio. View the creative  process, and contribute to a  collaborative painting on-site
  Thursday August 8 10am-12:30pm	Skate Camp McMillan Youth Park 2499 McMillan Rd	Express Yourself! Button Making Create a unique button from a  selection of hand carved stamps or  design and colour your own.  Open to all ages, no registration required.
  Wednesday August 14 12:30pm-1:30pm	Abbotsford Youth Commission Abbotsford Recreation Centre 2499 McMillan Rd	Express Yourself! Button Making Create a unique button from a  selection of hand carved stamps or  design and colour your own.  Limited to youth only.
  Saturday September 7 12pm-2pm	Clearbrook Library 32320 George Ferguson Way	Pop-up Studio & Collaborative Painting Drop-in and say hello to the artist in  their pop-up studio. View the creative  process, and contribute to a  collaborative painting on-site
  Thursday September 12 10am-12pm	Learning Plus Abbotsford Recreation Centre 2499 McMillan Rd	Art & Movement: Personal Storytelling, Journals, & Stretching (Day 1) Explore storytelling with hand-made journals,  stamps and other art media. Learn stretches  to keep limber while you create.  Limited to 55yrs+. Registration forthcoming
  Saturday September 21 10am-12pm	Abbotsford Recreation Centre 2499 McMillan Rd	Pop-up Studio & Collaborative Painting Drop-in and say hello to the artist in  their pop-up studio. View the creative  process, and contribute to a  collaborative painting on-site
  Tuesday September 24 10am-12pm	Learning Plus Abbotsford Recreation Centre 2499 McMillan Rd	Art & Movement: Personal Storytelling, Journals, & Stretching (Day 2) Explore storytelling with hand-made  journals, stamps and other art media.  Learn stretches to keep limber while you create.  Limited to 55yrs+. Registration forthcoming
  Saturday October 5 11am-2pm	Culture Days Abbotsford Recreation Centre 2499 McMillan Rd	Monoprinting with Nature Learn monoprinting using found natural  materials, and create prints to take home.  Open to all ages. Registration forthcoming.
  Saturday October 12 11am-2pm	Culture Days Matsqui Recreation Centre 3106 Clearbrook Rd	Monoprinting with Stencils Learn monoprinting using prepared  stencils, and create prints to take home.  Open to all ages. Registration forthcoming.

• About the Artist

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  Molly Gray is a Fraser Valley based artist who lives and works on the unceded territory of Kwantlen First Nation. Growing up surrounded by the regional agricultural landscape, her work is often influenced by animals and nature. She works in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and design, and views her practice as constantly evolving through exploration and curiosity.

  Molly holds a BA (Hons) from Bishop’s University, a Certificate in Media Design & Web Development from BCIT, and in 2023 completed the “Women of Steel” welding program at the University of the Fraser Valley.

  Artist website

• About the Project

  Molly’s residency runs from May to October, 2024. She will be working in partnership with the City of Abbotsford’s Community Development team to host art activities across the city. The programming has a specific focus on creating accessible art activities to connect with older adults, youth and families. Participants can expect to be introduced to printmaking, papermaking, bookmaking, storytelling, and painting, through artist-led workshops.

  “What draws me to this residency is the opportunity to provide arts and culture experiences that will contribute to the social connection and well-being of Abbotsford residents. I believe that everyone can make art. It’s not about being “good” or “bad,” it’s about discovery, creation, and enjoying the experience. I have found success in filling my life with art, and maintain a strong desire to learn and share skills with others. I am especially interested in working with older adults, youth, and families, as I find the interactions the most rewarding, impactful, and reciprocal.” 
  -- Molly Gray
  

2023 Artist in Residence

• Joy, wonder and learning in the Garden Studio

  2023 Artist in Residence, Lexi Richards: Joy, wonder and learning in the Garden Studio

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  Lexi Richards’s ‘Garden Studio’ at Mill Lake was produced in partnership with the City of Abbotsford’s Landscape and Horticulture section, providing awareness and appreciation of horticulture in the community. The garden was the primary venue for delivering exciting, accessible, and participatory community art activities based around flowers, planting, gardening, and harvest. The garden became a gathering place for community and was essential in the delivery of public arts and culture programing.

  Program Highlights

  • Seed and annual planting
  • Bouquet and posy arrangement
  • Cyanotype photography
  • Flower crowns
  • Dried flower greeting cards
  • Temporary floral art installations
  • Floral poetry workshops
  • Flower harvesting

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