It’s a great time to be a fan of the arts in Calgary. There’s so much to see and so much to do. Like Warhol, Umeda and Beakerhead. Oh my. Here’s your Arts Round Up this week.

WARHOL AT MOCA: Andy Warhol’s The Athlete Series at the Museum of Contemporary Art Calgary (MOCA) opened Saturday to a packed house but if you missed the opening, you still have plenty of time to take it in. The exhibit runs until January 30 so go see the awesome works that include portraits of Wayne Gretsky, Queen Elizabeth (my fave), Dorothy Hamill and many more.
Photos by Amy Jo Espetveidt, Quadrophonic Image

Curious about InvestYYC? Info Sessions This Week
I’m sure by now you’ve all heard of InvestYYC, our own local crowdfunding platform, and I bet a bunch of you want to know more.
Well, here’s your chance. Calgary Arts Development is holding two information sessions this week for the first intake of applications to InvestYYC. The sessions are today, Monday, January 14 from 1pm to 2:30pm and Thursday, January 17 from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Calgary Arts Development Arts Co-Lab in Art Central (100 7th Ave. SW).
InvestYYC was designed exclusively for Calgary-based artists and arts organizations to raise funds, find volunteers and generate awareness. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend an InvestYYC info session and applications will be accepted and assessed on a monthly base with the first deadline January 31, 2013.
For more information and to sign up for the info sessions, head over to the Calgary Arts Development website here.

Local Artist Needs Your Help
Andrew Tarrant, a local ceramics artist based in Ramsey, is loosing his eyesight due to Keratoconus, a degenerative eye disease, and needs your help!
He has already lost sign in his left eye and his right is deteriorating quickly so a costly surgery can save his sight. The province does not cover the procedure so he has created an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds to cover the cost and has already raised over $6500 of his $14000 goal.
I saw his work at the 23rd Avenue Artwalk this last September and it’s stunning. As perks for helping him out, he has also created a limited-edition line of eye-themed ceramics including an amazing steampunk Cthulhu cookie jar that’s unbelievable.
All the info is over at his Indiegogo campaign as well as snaps of his work. Help him out if you can, get some great artwork and change a life in the process.

Mutant Vehicles Wanted
Giant eyeball bikes? Fish glued to cars? A carousel horse bike? Whatever you can imagine, whatever you can build, Beakerhead wants you to create roaming artwork to fill our community streets this September.
They’re hosting an Art Car & Art Bike Community Meeting this Wednesday, January 16 at 5pm at the Beakerhead HQ (#400, 119 14 Street NW) where you can find out how you can create a piece of moving artwork.
If you’re interested in finding out more, RSVP to jasmine@beakerhead.org and learn all about it.
Beakerhead takes over Calgary September 11 to 15.

Submissions for The New Gallery
The New Gallery (TNG) is looking for proposals for their +15 Window and Thematic Group Show and you still have time to get a submission ready.
They’re specifically looking for regionally based artists in the early stages of their careers but will consider submissions from all interested artists so if you have a project in mind, it doesn’t hurt to apply.
The deadline is this Sunday, January 19 and all the details can be found here.
And you should also check out their current show, Skins by Rebekah Miller – an installation comprised of a fabric house and hollow birch-bark trees – running now until February 2 at their main space in Art Central (100 7th Ave SW).

Bleak Midwinter Kids Night
Baby, it’s cold outside but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get out and shake off those winter blues.
The annual Inglewood Bleak Midwinter Festival kicks off this Saturday with their Kids’ Program.
At 7pm on January 19, Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis will host and Inglewood’s own Nik Thierry will curate an evening filled with great animation.
The show will be held at the Lantern Church (1401 10th Ave SE) and all proceeds will go to charity.
And stay tuned for the next Inglewood Bleak Midwinter Night, their first variety show, taking place on Saturday, February 23rd at 7pm.

HAPTIC & HOLISTIC STRATA: Hirokai Umeda’s mesmerizing multimedia masterpiece Haptic and Holistic Strata runs this week at Theatre Junction, January 16 to 19.
Photos courtesy of Theatre Junction GRAND

Japan’s Leading Avant Garde Artist at Theatre Junction
It’s one of those shows that you simply don’t want to miss. Haptic and Holistic Strata makes its way to Calgary this week as part of an exclusive tour that includes New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver and us.
Created by Japan’s leading avant garde artist Hirokai Umeda, Theatre Junction GRAND is presenting the two back-to-back pieces January 16 to 19. The show combines street dance and traditional Japanese butoh with digital technology to create a visual and sonic experience.
It’s only here for a couple of shows and Theatre Junction is enhancing the experience with two special nights. Opening night features Creative Savors and Sights of Japan, an evening of Japanese fare and art, and Friday night’s performance will be followed by the Future Music After Party, featuring DJ Lorne B, Ivan Rankic, Mr. Geography and Crimson.
For more information and tickets head over to Theatre Junction’s website.

And don’t forget to keep sending in your community arts pictures, suggestions and favourites as the Community Outdoor Art Challenge is still ongoing and I need more. More. MORE. I know it’s out there so let me know!

Do you have something awesome coming up and want to be part of the Calgary Arts Round Up? Drop me a line at amy@calgaryisawesome.com!