In only two months from now, this new multipurpose arts facility will open its doors to the public for the first time – an event that will be marked by a four-day celebration in which a thousand artists are scheduled to take part.
“It’s such a long dream of the arts community that’s coming true,” says Christine Tremblay, executive director of Arts Ottawa East (AOE), one of five organizations that will reside in the new facility.
Mike Taylor, Shenkman’s arts centre programmer, also says he can’t wait to move in. Currently working at the Gloucester Gallery located just beside the new arts centre, he’s witnessed the construction of the building during the last year and a half.
“Just watching it go up has been actually painful, because everybody wants to get in there and get started,” he adds.
According to information released by the Shenkman Arts Centre, the official grand opening is scheduled for June 18.
An open house will also be held the following weekend, with activities including exhibits by over 40 visual artists, film screenings, readings by local authors as well as an artisans’ market. Although the evening concerts are ticketed, all daytime activities will be free.
“There will be all kinds of things going on outside and inside the building. It’s going to be a festival all weekend. It’s just going to be a lot of fun,” Taylor says.
Various shows will also take place during the two weeks prior to the grand opening in what Tremblay calls a “soft launch,” meant to try out the facilities.
She explains the grand opening had first been scheduled for May, but was postponed for a month since building is not yet finished. This didn’t stop Tremblay from taking a peek at the facilities, where she’ll be moving in next month along with the rest of AOE’s staff.
“I went in last week and it’s absolutely, it’s amazing,” she says. “Architecturally, it’s a beautiful building. The light that comes in through the glass panels is beautiful, and it’s state of the art.”
The Shenkman Arts Centre – meant to become a hub where artists and residents will gather to celebrate the arts in all of its forms – will be the first building of its kind in the city. It will host shows and exhibitions while offering classes for all levels of skills, as well as rental space for artists.
“I think it’s going to be a catalyst for more development in and around the centre in the east end,” Tremblay says.
The Shenkman’s five permanent residents will include AOE, the Gloucester Pottery School, the Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans, Orléans Young Players Theatre School and the Ottawa School of Art, Orléans campus.
Tremblay explains these organizations will form an advisory committee that will work with the city, assuring the “voice of the community is heard.”
Being a municipal facility, the Shenkman Centre will offer city-run arts programming, complementing the programs already offered by the five resident organizations, Taylor explains.
He’s in the process of putting together the city’s arts program at Shenkman which, he says, will include dance, music and writing classes and potentially even digital media. Classes are scheduled to start next fall, Taylor adds.
Shenkman’s grand opening schedule, June 18 – 21 (Complete details to be posted on Friday, April 24 at www.shenkmanarts.ca)
Thursday, June 18: 4:15 p.m. Official opening ceremony 6:30 p.m. Outdoor performance by the Tara Luz dance troupe 8 p.m. Evening reception in the upper and lower lobbies and bilingual variety show in the Harold Shenkman Hall. Performances by Holmes Hooke, Julian Armour, Third Wall Theatre Company, Leonard Cohen Songbook and Daniel Bélanger Friday, June 19 8 p.m. The Leonard Cohen Songbook Saturday, June 20 8 p.m. Variety show hosted by MIFO. Performances by Laurent Paquin, Patrick Groulx et les bas blancs, and Ariane Moffatt. Sunday, June 21 2 p.m. La Chorale du Centre Séraphin Marion d’Orléans Open house (June 20 and 21) 12 – 5 p.m. Activities including art exhibits, performances, film screenings, readings by local authors, artisans’ market and a showcase by local restaurateurs 7 p.m. Outdoor performance by the Tara Luz dance troupe
