What is Antigonish Vision for the Arts and what is the vision?
- Andy Pumphrey (Artist Andy Pump)
- Feb 27, 2023
- 2 min read
Antigonish Vision for the Arts (AVA) is a group of artists and art supporters in Antigonish that are passionate about the arts and believe strongly the Arts are a necessary part of any thriving community. We came together as we quickly realized we all felt that the arts in Antigonish could be even more robust and active - it just need a physical space to support this. Yes, Antigonish does have The Arts House which offers classes in pottery and fine arts as well as practice space for highland dance and piano lessons; but we all felt that this space is only able to support a fraction of what is needed.
So, what is needed? This is what we have been gathering to discuss. Fenn Martin, Amberlee Bolton, Nancy Turniawan, Fran Guinane, Aida Arnold, Becca Semple and I, Andy Pumphrey, have been meeting since the end of 2022 to brainstorm about how to grow our shared vision of a centre for the arts in Antigonish. We have come up with a vision/mission statement, mandates, and values. We even have a name for our group, "Antigonish Vision for the Arts". We need this vision to grow and become more concrete. Our vision is one for the Town and County of Antigonish and the surrounding areas, not just a handful of people. We need more community members to become involved to help us create this vision so it fits the community and not just a small group.
So, that is where we are as I write this. A small group that needs to expand. I hope to add to this website the information we have put together so far to share with the community so we can get some suggestions, varying points of view, and hopefully more people on board to help. Do you share the same vision? Think you may be able to help? We need people that can share their knowledge and expertise in the arts, people with administration skills, grant-writing knowledge, and . . . We need help.
I am glad you are taking the time to read this. I hope my enthusiasm and excitement about our vision are coming through. If you have any comments, suggestions, questions, or just want to say hi, please reach out to this group at Antigonishvisionforthearts@gmail.com.
Happy creating,
Andy
Hi! My name is Nancy Turniawan.. Yes, there are many ways an active lifestyle in and through connection with artists adds joy to our lives. So I am truly happy to hear about your vision.
I've lived here for 45 creative years, teaching art, raising children, and becoming a community artist.
Personal and collective participation becomes FRIENDSHIPS that link us to actors,, musicians visual artists, dancers and writers, and more recently health and wellbeing through the Arts.
Antigonish town and county have attracted many artists who have made this place their home for generations.
My name is Nancy Turniawan. Give me a call. I'd love to hear your vision for an Arts Centre, where every person is important, and creating…