Ean Kools Is Cambridge Centre for the Arts Artist-in-Residence

Artist Connects Street Art to Public Spaces

Ean Kools Connects Street Art to Public Spaces
 
Cambridge, There has been a playwright, Iconographer, choreographer and painter among the mix of prominent artists that have been named as the annual Artist-in-Residence (AIR) for the Cambridge Centre for the Arts.  It’s an important position, sponsored by the Cambridge Arts Guild, which brings together the creative culture with established and inspiring talent to foster arts development in the community.
 
The Cambridge Centre for the Arts (CCA) is please to announce that the 2012 Artist-in-Residence is Ean Kools, a graffiti/street artist with formal training in graphic design. 
 
Kools has been active in the local arts scene with numerous mural projects and collaborations under his belt.  He’s an art teacher and Chair of the Cambridge Arts Festival. In addition to his street art venues, Kools has also exhibited his work in galleries, festivals and at numerous arts events.
 
“While the first known example of modern-style graffiti art traces back to ancient Greece, with Ean we have an artist who celebrates graffiti art in a fresh and modern way that will enliven and enhance the City of Cambridge,” says Sophie McCann, Arts Coordinator. 
 
Kools is passionate about supporting and communicating the artistic and community value of street art and about making sure that this dynamic art form continues to be connected to the life of public spaces – to the streets from where it originated.
 
"Lately there has been a push to exhibit street art in galleries, but why not exhibit gallery level works in the streets?” says AIR Ean Kools. “This idea not only enriches the community, but also expands the artists reach.  Street art is the newest art movement in history and with the right cultivation it will be the largest. We are living in a time that will be well documented, so let's be an influential city that embraces the new art and culture."
 
The City of Cambridge is also supporting the local graffiti arts community through the development of a Graffiti Arts Committee.  The committee will assist in managing and promoting the positive impacts of graffiti art in our community. In addition, Cambridge is a partner in a regional group that is working to better identify areas where graffiti art can be displayed to avoid any by-law infractions.
 
In the past, Kools has spearheaded several projects to develop sanctioned graffiti walls and to reinvigorate urban areas with murals including the commissioned wall at 639-B King St. E in the Preston neighbourhood. In 2012 he plans to continue and complement these initiatives with an exciting program line-up that will include:
 
Collaborative Community Murals

*      His goal is to get more substantial sanctioned graffiti art walls and mural projects on the go to transform Cambridge . Maybe your business or organization can be apart of it?
 
Artistic Process Show and Tell Exhibition (March)
*       Focusing on comparing the techniques - how a graffiti artist paints verse a classical artist. What tools and approaches do they use? How do other artists using different media and styles work in their studios? This exhibit will show you how and why.
 
Street Art Class (June-August)
*       Find out about the history of street art, the types of art, the processes, tools, materials and local places to paint. Includes in-class sessions as well as painting on location.
 
Look for more details as these programs unfold at: www.cambridgecentreforthearts.ca
 

About AIR

The Artist-in-Residence program provides professional visual, performing and literary artists the opportunity to involve and engage the community in the artistic and creative process in a variety of disciplines.
 
It is the goal of the program to foster dialogue among artists and non-artists alike, provide a vehicle for public learning and exposure to a variety of artistic disciplines, and to provide the artist with an opportunity to develop their work.
 
Past AIR representatives:

2010 -Sue Sturdy - Knitting Artist
2009 -Gary Kirkham - Playwright
2008 -Christopher van Donkelaar - Iconographer
2007 -Michele Hopkins - Dancer/Choreographer
2006 -Dan Roberts - Abstract Painter/Muralist
2005 -Nancy Morrey - Writer
2004 -Heather Franklin - Visual Artist
2003 -Amber Morphy - Musician