Definitely Superior Artist-Run-Centre  + Gallery *

Non-profit              Est: 1988

Contact person: David Karasiewicz
                          Gallery Director
Contact information:
250 Park Avenue
Suite 101   
P.O.Box 21015
Thunder Bay, Ontario     P7A 8A9   
Tel: (807)344-3814
Fax: (807)344-3814
Email: defsup@tbaytel.net
Website: www.definitelysuperior.com

Definitely Superior is a professional artist-run-centre (ARC), committed to the development of cutting- edge and innovative visual and multi-disciplinary contemporary art exhibitions and activities in Thunder Bay and the region of Northwestern Ontario. Our purpose is to encourage contemporary artistic endeavors and education, to foster experimental artistic development, and to stimulate dialogue within the art community and public. Comprised of exhibition and performance spaces, production facilities, libraries, studios, resource centres and new media labs, ARCs parallel the public and commercial gallery systems and have provided alternative venues for artistic experimentation and creative growth. ARCs provide a place for artists to carry out work that cannot be done in a commercial or museum setting. Often they are the venue for the first public presentation of new works. Our unique qualities as the only non-commercial and registered non-profit/charitable artist-run-centre between Winnipeg and North Bay helps support what is an invaluable cultural resource working to build a healthy arts scene in our city, attracting new and young artists and audiences to the arts, today and in the future.

Main Programming
Emphasis is on professional regional/national and international artists whose selected works show clarity of excellence in artistic vision and form. Definitely Superior raises the awareness of the multi-disciplinary forms of art created in the regional and national context, by actively showing work and alternative performances that bring people into contact with art they would not otherwise encounter.

Open Space Community Programming
Emphasis is on emerging regional Artists/collectives/musicians/writers/university/
college film/high school visual and multi-media arts students whose selected works show development towards maturity and excellence. For high schools specifically we provide at least two graduate exhibitions per year and mentor a Future Young Artists Collective, open to anyone between the ages of 16 to 25 [search facebook: die active zine or contact loradefsup@hotmail.com]. Definitely Superior Art Gallery helps this group publish a Zine(visual art and creative writing) that is regionally and nationally distributed. This helps build community, identity and strength.

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Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Non-profit Est: 1976

Contact person: Sharon Godwin, Executive Director
Contact information:
P.O. Box 10193
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6T7
Tel: (807)577-6427
Fax: (807)577-3781
Email: info@theag.ca
Website: www.theag.ca

About the Gallery
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is the only public art gallery in Northwestern Ontario and presents exhibitions of the work of regional, provincial, national and international artists. Education and arts related programs are organized to enhance these exhibitions and community and regional outreach programs extend the Gallery's services. A permanent collection of over 1500 pieces focusing on contemporary Aboriginal art and work by artists from the region is housed at the Gallery. Located on the campus of Confederation College, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery is a meeting place for thousands of people who visit to view and learn about the visual arts.

Education Programs
The Education Department at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery provides opportunities for schools and the public to participate in tours, workshops, art classes and talks by artists in order to enhance their experience with the Gallery's exhibitions and with the visual arts in general. Programming for students encourages the development of receptiveness to imagery from a variety of cultural influences including new visual directions taken by contemporary artists. The education programming at the Art Gallery contributes to the creation, understanding and appreciation of art, Art History and Aesthetics.

School Tour/Workshop Programs
Students experience original works of art in theme-based, inquiry and experiential tours of Gallery exhibitions. Tour themes change several times over the school year. Aspects of the Ontario Arts curriculum are covered and teachers can inquire about including a certain emphasis for their class. Each tour is accompanied by a fun and challenging hands-on activity designed to complement the media and subject matter of the exhibition. Tour and workshop length: 1.5-2 hours

General Tours
Tours are available to other groups including community organizations, tourist groups, University and college students as well as youth groups such as Brownies, Guides and Scouts. Length: 1-2 hours

Tour Fees: Tours are free to Lakehead Public Schools and Thunder Bay Catholic District Schools due to an annual contribution by these boards to the Gallery.
All other schools and groups - $3 per person for a tour and $4 per person for a tour and workshop.

Art Classes for Children and Youth
Art classes presented by the Gallery give participants the opportunity to explore a variety of media. They also develop their art appreciation skills through tours of current exhibitions. Classes are offered in the winter, spring, summer and fall and during March Break, for children aged 4-14.

Classes for Adults
Adult art classes and workshops are presented periodically and are led by visiting artists who are exhibiting at the Gallery or experienced, senior artists working in the Thunder Bay region.

Artist Talks and Workshops
Throughout the year the Gallery offers numerous opportunities for the public to meet and learn from internationally acclaimed artists through artist talks and workshops.

Traveling Displays
The Education Department has two portable displays available for school use. These focus on the traditional art of Birchbark Biting and Beadwork from the Permanent Collection. The stunning artwork and artifacts in these free-standing displays are perfect for the classroom and complement studies in Native Art.

Family Fun Days
These special days are offered two or three times each year on Sundays. Programming involves interactive art activities, and opportunities to engage with the exhibiting artwork and artists.

Volunteer Opportunities
Gallery tours are often led by volunteer tour guides or 'docents'. Docents provide very valuable assistance to the Education Department. Current docents include retired teachers, visual art and education students, and community artists. Docents meet twice a month, receive training on art appreciation, history, criticism and teaching/touring methods.

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Willow Springs Creative Centre

Est: 2006

Contact person: Judi Vinni

Contact information:
10160 Mapleward Road
RR #1
Kaministiquia, Ontario P0T 1X0
Tel: (807) 768-1336
Fax: (807) 768-1336
Email: willowsprings@tbaytel.net
Website: www.willowsprings.ca

Willow Springs Creative Centre's mission is to promote growth through creative expression and community development. We offer inclusive, customized art and gardening programs for organizations, school classes or community group. Our Lazy Dames of Summer adult art series runs every Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 pm throughout the summer. We offer week long, dynamic summer art camps for children. We facilitate creative Team Building Retreats for non-profits’ staff and volunteers. We are always looking for artists/arts educators who would like to work with us to deliver our programs. Mentorship and training provided. Our art programming is designed to meet our participants' needs. We often incorporate nature crafts, willow construction, garden art and various forms of painting into our programming