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WTN Uses Magazine Format to Profile Women Artists by Joyce Thierry ow did Vancouver artist Gathie Falk find the money to leave her teaching job and paint full time? Which North Vancouver local politi cal cartoonist describes herself as "an equal opportunity curmudgeon"? Which Vancouver actress spent hours scantily clad with Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman? To find the anssers, all you have to do is tune in to The Creators, a unique half-hour television show that celebrates Canadian women in the arts. One particularly memorable moment last season took place during singer Connie Kaldor's interview. What began in a very professional setting of artist on stage talking about her work quickly changed focus when her two children got away from their babysitter and proceeded to climb all over Kaldor. That candid moment is why the show is so enjoyable. That's what the life of so many other women is like. Days are made up of tumbling children, scattered moments, always dividing their energy between the office/stage/studio... and home. Michele Marko of the Vancouver Sun described The Creators as a show that "profiles women from every realm of the arts.., and high lights women's achievements," which, is just how Vancouver-based execu tive producer Eileen Hoeter originally envisioned it. Hoeter has a background which includes directing, editing and pro ducing award-winning documentary films. When she was approached by WIN (Women's Television Network) three years ago to "do a show on the arts," Hoeter decided on a magazinestyle format in order to present as many Canadian artists as possible. Vancouver paper artist Nicole Dextras says what makes the show television refreshing for artists is that it "defies the traditional elitist stance of the critic and gives artists back their own voice." She goes on to call the show "multivitamins for the artist." Eileen Hoeter, executive producer of The Creators, interviewing actress Babz Chub. Photo:Tina Sorokolit Now airing its second season of profiles and interviews, the show highlights an eclectic selection of women artists, from actress Cynthia Dale and ceramic artist Penny Birnbaum to flamenco dancer Roserio Ancer, singer Susan Aglukark and glassblower Joanne Andrighetti. The Creators lets the artists tell their stories, fulfilling Hoeter's goal of providing television moments that are "mentoring, pro-active and crosscultural." This season alone, the show profiled over 150 women, including Vancouver artists such as movie director Mina Shum, painter Gloria Masse, weaver Lois Kennedy-Paine and singer Babe Gurr. And the women mentioned in the first paragraph? 1. Falk cashed in her teacher's pension fund and took a one-year sabbatical; she's never gone back and paints full time. 2. Editorial cartoonist lngrid Rice says she has shocked and appalled "politicians of all stripes, their supporters, the politi cally correct and the incorrect." 3. Actress Beverley Elliott, who starred in the movie Unforgiven, is also an accomplished singer. So if you want to tag along with artistic women who are "iriaking it," tune in on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. or Sunday's at 8:30 p.m. on WTN. It's worth the viewing. Joyce Thierry is a North Vancouver writer. > 17 The Capilano Review Celebrates a Metaphysical Poet dimly lit coffee house. A bearded poet stands on a small stage at the back of the room and speaks to a darkly dressed audience. Fingers snap and bongos pound out a rhythm. This was a typical scenario in the Berkeley beat scene of the 1950s, and Robin Blaser may have been in the crowd. In the `60s, he might have been with his good friend Allen Ginsberg in the San Francisco bar the Anxious Asp, discussing the Vietnam War. Blaser, who drew much of his early inspiration from the Berkeley Renaissance and the beat experience of the hilly city, has gone on to be one of the most celebrated literary figures in Canada. His peers place him in such high regard that they held a conference to honour him on his 75th birthday last year. This year the `apilano Review produced six issues containing B laser's work. Issue 2:17/18,festschri,ftforBlase,; features work by 47 world-renowned poets who read at the conference and an interview with Blaser. Associate editor Dorothy Jantzen said the festschrifr is also a way to thank Blaser for the inspiration he has given students at Capilano College: "Robin has a reputation for being a complex, metaphysical poet, whose work is a little out of reach for many col lege students. He visited the North Vancouver campus a while back and read for the students. He took his poetry down to the ground for them so they really felt at home with his work." The Robin Blaserfestschrft will be off the presses later this month. For information call the Capilano Review at 984-1712. Elizabeth Rains is the managing editor of' the Capilano Review and teaches journalism at Vancouver Community College. Imagine a narrow, by Elizabeth Rains