For
immediate release:
June 21,
2010
Shenkman Arts Centre Marks A Successful First Year
Over 100,000 Visitors, 300 Courses Offered and 100
Shows
Overall, all projections have
been surpassed. It is evident by the participation and engagement of the
community that the need for this beautiful arts centre in Orléans was long
overdue. The community registered for over 300 courses and workshops covering a
multitude of artistic disciplines such as theatre, dance, music, pottery,
painting, woodworking and photography.
Students of all ages were
offered some of the best instruction in town with many of the courses being
offered in French by the City of
“Visitors are wowed by the
aesthetics of the facility but once they come inside for a tour, take a course
or see a show they are surprised to see the range of activities and the quality
of service delivered,” says Caroline Obeid, Shenkman Arts Centre Manager. “We
can boast 421 client activities over the past year as the Centre was booked by
local artists and arts organizations to create or present their work as well as
the corporate community, community organizations, school boards, and private
citizens for fundraising, press announcements, meetings, presentations,
conferences and receptions.”
Recognized as one of Ottawa’s
best acoustic venues, the Shenkman Arts Centre has presented 100 incredible
performances (to both English and French audiences with a line up of shows like
Sean Cullen, Sarah Slean, Les Violons du Roy, Marie Mai, The English Beat, Les
Lost Fingers to name but a few. Public signed up in great numbers to become
members of Front and Centre or MIFO to get advanced purchasing
opportunities for the first and best selection of seats.
Visual art flourished at the
Shenkman Arts Centre in the Ottawa School of Art studios and workshops as well
as in five art galleries (Gloucester Pottery School Dust Evans
Gallery,
In May, a magnificent donor
recognition wall was unveiled in the lobby of the Centre to showcase the
community support for the ARTicipate Endowment Fund. The fund was developed by
AOE Arts Council to support artists in the creation and presentation of their
works within the Centre. The fund has raised over $4.7M and will begin grant
allocations to the arts community in the Fall.
Recently, the Shenkman Arts
Centre was home to the inaugural Orléans Festival
held on June 6th 2010 with over 2,000 participants. The Festival
celebrated the work of local artists, artisans and chefs with
the second annual Taste of Orléans event,
hosted by the Orléans BIA, incorporated into the festival. Ten of the
community’s restaurants served up samples of their favorite menu items and
festival goers were treated to free performances by BAM Percussion, Les Affreux
Lurons, Steve Marriner and Cobra du Mandique.
The Centre will soon welcome
summer camp kids ages 6 to 18 who will be able to immerse themselves in the arts
from June 28 to September 3. All camps are taught by professional
artists-instructors in purpose-built studios. Families can choose from a variety
of themed or intense camp experiences offered by the City of
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About
the Shenkman Arts Centre and Resident Arts
Partners
The Shenkman Arts Centre provides the
much-needed spaces for performing arts presentations and visual art exhibitions,
specialized spaces for hands-on instruction in the visual, performing, literary
and media arts for all ages and levels, and unique reception spaces in the upper
and lower lobbies. The Centre houses the Harold Shenkman Hall
(500 seats), the Richcraft Theatre (150 seats), Trinity Art Gallery, Gloucester
Pottery School Dust Evans Gallery, Promenade Arteast, Ottawa School of Art
Gallery, AOE Gallery, Ottawa Citizen Dance Studio, Orléans Star – L’Express
Music Studio and a New Media studio.
The programs and activities at the
Shenkman Arts Centre are a unique collaboration between the City of
For more
information:
Caroline
Obeid
Portfolio
Manager
Shenkman Arts
Centre
613-5890-2424 ext.
24387