The iconic Wildcat Cafe is being transformed into a centre for the arts.
The Yellowknife Artists Co-operative signed a contract on July 23 to take over the Wildcat Cafe until the end of September.
SA国际影视传媒淭he cafe actually offers us a really great springboard because it has beautiful space,SA国际影视传媒� said Sofia Grogono, coordinator for the centre for the arts. SA国际影视传媒淚t has a kitchen, it has table space and it has a lot of deck space.SA国际影视传媒�
She said the group will not need to make many changes and it will preserve the structure as a heritage building. The group will rearrange the tables, wants to add a couch and create space for a dance floor.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e elated,SA国际影视传媒� said Grogono. SA国际影视传媒淲e just walked around with theses big goofy grins on our face.SA国际影视传媒�
She said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 heard from many people who really happy about what is transpiring.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 some beautiful partnerships that are in the works. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of generosity, a lot of business, small businesses are stepping up and offering donations and sponsorships,SA国际影视传媒� Grogono said. SA国际影视传媒淭he values weSA国际影视传媒檙e building on right now are community, connection and co-creation. This is not one board pushing a vision and creating something because it serves our interest. This is a board that is in their service on the community, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 here, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 listening.SA国际影视传媒�
Judith Drinnan, owner of Yellowknife Book Cellar, donated $1,000 to the group out of her own pocket.
SA国际影视传媒淚 really think itSA国际影视传媒檚 time that Yellowknife had an art centre and I applaud volunteerism and starting in a small way and not always depending on money coming from the government,SA国际影视传媒� said Drinnan. SA国际影视传媒淪o if I see somebody taking initiative in that way, I know how many times ISA国际影视传媒檝e been supported by small amounts of money, and small amounts of money piled together get bigger amounts of money and things happen. So I applaud further analysis and I want to support.SA国际影视传媒�
Grogono said called the community support SA国际影视传媒渞eally touchingSA国际影视传媒� and SA国际影视传媒渋nspiring.SA国际影视传媒�
The group had its first open meeting with invited guests last weekend. This weekend, the YK Artists Co-operative will partner with Ecology North in the Trash-formation Art Contest at the Wildcat Cafe.
SA国际影视传媒淧eople are going to be able to come and walk through the Wildcat and see it as an art space, as a gallery,SA国际影视传媒� Grogono said.
On Monday nights, the public can pre-register to attend the open meetings, where people can share food with colouring pages while the group discusses concepts about art and community and what people need in the North.
On Friday nights, the arts centre will host open jam sessions with musicians and artists.
Grogono said other activities will include writing circles, drawing classes, a beading workshop, dance events, Kundalini yoga and conversations about SA国际影视传媒渉ow the Earth breaths.SA国际影视传媒�
When the group submitted its proposal to the City of Yellowknife to use the Wildcat Cafe, Matthew Grogono, Yellowknife Artists Co-operative president, said that seeing the cafe empty SA国际影视传媒渟eemed disconcerting SA国际影视传媒� that a historical building like the Wildcat shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be unoccupied for the course of the summer.SA国际影视传媒�
This arts centre will help the group hear from artists across Yellowknife and the North, Matthew said.
In the future, the organization wants to develop a learning program that would facilitate online programs to reach all NWT communities.
SA国际影视传媒淥ne important thing is that artists from the Indigenous communities are invited and will take part,SA国际影视传媒� said Roland Laufer, the Yellowknife Artists Co-operativeSA国际影视传媒檚 treasurer.
He added that the group wants Indigenous artists on its board of directors, SA国际影视传媒渁s we want to create and really sustain the multicultural soul of art.SA国际影视传媒�
