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Artist in Residence
Maple Ridge Pitt
Meadows Arts Council Announces
2010 Artist in
Residence
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March
4, 2010
The Maple Ridge Pitt
Meadows Arts Council, in partnership with the Ridge Meadows Parks & Leisure
Services is pleased to announce the Artist in Residence for 2010, Kjaer Neletia
Pedersen. Her one-year term as Artist in Residence began on March 1, 2010 and
includes a number of artistic initiatives to benefit both Maple Ridge and Pitt
Meadows communities.
Pedersen is a former teacher of grades
one to adult and has also organized programs for large First Nation's schools
in Vancouver, as well as teaching English, Math, L. A., Resource Room, etc. at
the secondary level. She is primarily a ceramic artist, who also works with
fabric and other forms, creating and selling her work in local galleries for
the past number of years. "I am so grateful to begin a new and exciting chapter
in my life," Pedersen explains. "I look forward to the challenge of raising
awareness of the arts in my new community and exploring my own talents as an
artist. I am eagerly anticipating the support and new friendships that I expect
to enjoy in Maple Ridge."
The community of Maple Ridge has seen
a great benefit from the Artist in Residence program; Mayor Ernie Daykin
explains "The District of Maple Ridge is pleased to continue to partner with
the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Arts Council and support the Artist in
Residence program through the provision of a municipal residence for the new
artist. Kjaer possesses a wealth of creativity and over a decade of experience
engaging communities through her medium of ceramic art. Undoubtedly she will
continue to shape the Artist in Residence program into a valued asset
benefitting many members of our community."
While in the position of Artist in
Residence for Maple Ridge she will engage in a number of community projects,
while pursuing her own artistic pursuits in various mediums. Gordon Kirkland,
Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council's Artist in Residence Committee Chair explains
"one of the great benefits of having an Artist in Residence program is that it
gives the community an opportunity to experience art of all types, and it gives
exposure to a particular artist that he or she might not otherwise receive.
Kjaer is a unique talent, and I believe she will bring a great deal to our
community through her proposed programs, classes, and the development of her
own work in the coming year."
Meet Kjaer Pedersen and leran more
about ceramic art during Celebration of the Arts week at The ACT Family Art
Jam, Saturday April 24 from 1-4pm.