NICHE GALLERY: April 2009

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Art Department Open House & Call for Submissions

Greetings Everyone,

Next week the University of Lethbridge Art Department will be hosting its annual Open House on Tuesday April 21 & Wednesday April 22. This year's Open House is titled The Itch, and tours will be offered by students between 10am-6pm each day. The Open House allows members of the community to view the art studio spaces where various student works will be on exhibition.
Niche gallery is going to participate in the Open House, presenting gallery cards and a guestbook. I will be stationed at either the main Art Society table on Level 8 or in front of the niche gallery, Locker #W138, between 2-5pm on both April 21 & 22 to address any inquiries. This would also be an excellent opportunity to sign up for an exhibition at the niche gallery, as all remaining 2009 semesters - Summer and Fall - are currently unbooked.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Niche gallery has open exhibition times for the 2009-2010 school year. Exhibition opening dates will be available as early as May 27th.

If you are interested in having an exhibition, please contact me at lisa.spinelli@uleth.ca, or approach me in person at the Open House.

Information for artists:

exhibitions change bi-weekly
posters will be made for your exhibition
gallery dimensions are 9"w x 33"d x 33"h
your exhibition will be documented (photos)
a $5 fee is requested to assist in gallery expenses
an opening reception will be held with refreshments
a curator will contact you after your exhibition booking is confirmed

I look forward to speaking with students and members of the community next week.

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Lisa Spinelli

niche gallery director

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Opening of (...,...,...)

There was an enthusiastic crowd at the opening of Amber-Jane Grove's exhibition, "(...,...,...)". The exhibition and its curious title left viewers with a sense of wonder and an urge to discuss their own interpretations of the piece. Grove has been the director of niche gallery this past 2008-2009 school year, and directly coordinated with founder Naomi Sato. Grove will be graduating from the University of Lethbridge this Spring 2009. We wish her the best in her future endeavors.

"The niche gallery is set within the institution yet works outside the institution"

"The niche gallery is a place for anyone to show their work, whether it is a student, faculty member, or someone outside of the institution. The plexi-glass door also allows the viewer into the space as well, a space that is normally private. With niche gallery, the text panels are placed outside of the interior space because the gallery itself is art. When the niche gallery is between exhibitions, the space is still open. Although the space is empty, it is full. When another artist places his/her work in the space, it creates collaboration between the space and the artwork, between the artists and the viewers. Each piece has its place and remains separate, but also works together. There is a difference between inside and outside, but they co-exist"

-naomi sato, from her manifesto
"White Cube, Plexi-Glass Door"

gallery supporters

The gallery team would like to extend a special thanks to Professor Michael Campbell and U of L Art Gallery Administrator Fred Greene for their continuous support of the niche gallery project. As well we'd like to thank Professor David Miller for suggesting that we document the exhibitions on a website.

Also, thank you to the 2008-2009 U of L Art Society Executive for their decision to include the niche gallery in the group's agenda.

We also appreciate the collective interest and support of the U of L Art Department for encouraging students to continue to develop the existence of the niche gallery.

As the niche gallery is not-for-profit and has very limited funding from the Students' Union, if you would like to make a donation to the gallery, please contact us.