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Artists for Kids Artists for Kids is a jewel in the cultural crown of North Vancouver. It's a collection and a space, both dedicated to introducing works of art to the young. There are now more than two hundred pieces in the collection, produced by artists such as Gordon Smith, Jack Shadbolt, Joe Fafard, and David Blackwood. Exhibitions of work by these artists have consistently attracted hundreds of visitors each day. The Robert Bateman show, this coming April, is expected to bring in thousands. The collection, though, has long since outgrown its present home in the Leo Marshall Curriculum Centre. The current wood-framed building does not provide a suitable environment for valuable works of art. Nor does it have enough storage space. Plans have been drawn up for new premises on the Queen Mary school site at Chesterfield and 8th. The proposed new location will give Artists for Kids some 8,000 square feet, double the size of its present facility. But there's a snag. "There's due process for design and planning and we'd gone through all those hurdles with the developer," says Bill MacDonald, Artists for Kids managing director. "But people who are opposed to development had something put on the council agenda and they basically stalled and deferred the project." Some sixty people attended a meeting in mid-February to initiate a petition campaign and a letter-writing campaign. The aim is to get the council to relax its height restrictions. "This is a big thing," MacDonald points out. "It's a chance to have a major gallery in the community." To find out more and to get an information package call Artists for Kids at 604-9033797. Spider Robinson, extraordinaire, sci-fi writer reads on April 24 by ten authors. Some were first-time writers, while others such as Blanche Howard and Gary Geddes were wellestablished. Headlining the 2002 event are humorist Bill Richardson and the great science fiction writer Spider Robinson. All events are free. Tuesday, April 23 Spider Robinson, 7:30, West Vancouver Memorial Library. Shannon Cowan, 7:30, Capilano Library Wednesday, April 24 Ainslie Manson, 1:30, Capilano Library North Shore Writers' Festival The North Shore Writers' Festival is the brainchild of Sarah Ellis, a librarian at the Capilano branch of North Vancouver District Public Library. Ellis is herself one of Canada's leading children's writers. Her idea was to celebrate local writers by presenting readings in their own community. Last year's festival, Writers in our Midst, featured readings (for children) Lesley Krueger, 7:30, North Vancouver City Library Spider Robinson, 7:30, Parkgate Library Thursday, April 25 Lesley Krueger, 7:30, Capilano Library Friday, April 26 John Hadrill, 2.00, Capilano Library Bill Richardson, 7:30, Capilano Library For more information, contact Sarah Elllis at 604-987-4471 or sarahOnvdpl.north-van.be.ca Art and Sport The North Vancouver Community Arts Council invites artists to submit works for an upcoming group exhibition on the theme of art and sports. This subject is open to interpretation. All mediums welcome. Interested artists should submit: 1. Up to 10 slides/photos of their art 2. Slide list to accompany slides 3. Artist statement and CV 4. Self-addressed, stamped envelope Deadline: April 15, 2002 Artwork must be available for exhibition May 30 July 6, 2002 at CityScape Community Art Space. S e n d s u b m i s s i o n s to: Turn on, stop by, chill out The long-awaited North Vancouver arts commission Web site is now up and running at www.northvanarts.com. It's cool, it's colourful, it's pretty nearly comprehensive, with information from the Calendar section of Arts Alive, details of arts competitions, a guide to funding sources, an armchair tour of public art on display in North Van, and lots more. Don't delay, go there today! C i t y S c a p e C o m m u n i t y Art S p a c e 335 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver, B C V 7 M 2 G 3 604-988-6844 North Vancouver Community Arts Council -- -- -- J?/LZ 1 M a r c h J A p r i l 5 \ 6UncA /WsfSUiKA