Spring is here. It’s time to clean out and splash a bit of paint around. Get creative. If you’re needing some jump-start inspiration, consider the following cool local events sure to leave you itching for art supplies.

Tonight, there’s the Emily Carr University President’s Lecture Series (what a mouthful). It will deliver a talk by Dylan Brown, creative director of animated film giant Pixar Canada. Here’s a guy who knows a thing or two about the creative process, so check him out to start our three step process…
March 18, 11:30 am, Emily Carr. Click here for deets.

Next, the Museum of Vancouver is screening the documentary Handmade Nation on Friday night. What a great flick! Here’s some text lifted from the MoV website to give you an idea of what you’re in for:

Handmade Nation documents the new wave of art, craft and design that is capturing the attention of the nation. It is the feature film debut of director, author, artist and curator Faythe Levine. Levine traveled to 15 cities and covered more than 19,000 miles to interview artists, crafters, makers, curators and community members.

Today’s craft world has emerged as a synthesis of historical technique, punk culture, and the DIY ethos, also influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art.

Director Faythe Levine captured the tightly knit community that exists through websites, blogs, and online stores that connect to the greater public through independent boutiques, galleries and craft fairs.

Interviews were conducted on-location in artist studios, homes, boutiques, offices and craft fairs, giving the public an exclusive and rarely seen look into the lives of these creative individuals.

That’s the trailer up top. Very inspirational. Tickets are $12 and will be sold online until 5pm, Thursday, March 18. Remaining tickets will be available for purchase at Visitor Services on the 19th. No Refunds and no latecomers permitted.
Bonus bit: Screening will be followed by a reception in the MOV Studio. Cool beans.

And then on Sunday, you can head over to the creative wellspring known as Blim to hook up with Emily Carr graduate Katrina Dombsky, who is on hand to teach you how to make a book. It’s a beginners course, so don’t panic. You’ll be eased in to the basics of hand-sewn book binding, learning to incorporate discarded book covers into new books. “Materials included in this course include book covers, paper and ribbon for built-in bookmarks but feel free to bring in your own crafty items for embellishment.”
March 21 | 1 – 4 PM | Blim | $60 (incl. materials)

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