AFAC 2012 Conference Schedule

2012 Conference Agenda "At a Glance"

2012 Detailed Agenda

2011 AFAC Conference & Art Show

Display your art FREE at the AFAC Art Show: March 3-10th, 2012 - in downtown Toronto - and have it seen by thousands!

Be one of the first 100 artists to register for the conference and your art will be hung for you and displayed for a week FREE in the AFAC Art Show in the main floor Rotunda in Metro Hall, Toronto. Buyers will contact you directly. PAY NO COMMISSIONS: Art For All Canada (AFAC) does NOT charge artists any commissions on sale of their work. Artists must sign a liability waiver (although Security staff will oversee the art show during the week).
To participate in the Art Show FREE: bring one of your paintings, framed sculptures or photographs (up to 24"wide x 30"high in size framed and ready to hang) - and identified with TWO (in case one falls off) copies of: title of work; artist's name and contact information attached to back.

Special Event at 9:30am Sunday, 4th March, "AFAC Art Fashion Show 2012 ” where artists “model” their art. All artists attending are eligible to participate!

AFAC 2012 Conference, March 3-4th, 3rd Floor, Metro Hall, Toronto - the only conference of its kind!
This conference is packed with can't-afford-to-miss educational presentations and workshops by successful professional artists (painters, sculptors, photographers) as well as demonstrations of the latest products from leading art materials suppliers. Attendees will learn how to become more successful artists, discover new techniques to sharpen their skills, gain more media attention and benefit from better marketing opportunities to show and sell their work through:

Conference is seating is limited. Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity to network with your peers over a complimentary buffet lunch each day. There is an option to attend for only one day. Artists are strongly recommended to attend both days so as to be able to see as many different presentations and demos as possible. Save money and avoid disappointment, Register now to attend.

The conference will have presentations, demonstrations and workshops on 3rd Floor in Rooms 310 (painting), 313A (sculpting and photography) and 314 (business), and an Art Fashion Show and Art Show in the Rotunda in Metro Hall, John Street, Toronto. You may attend as many sessions as you wish. Note: seating is limited to 50 persons per session in 310 and 313; and to 16 in 313A.

The conference presentations, demonstrations and workshops are on 3rd Floor in Rooms 310, 313A and 314; the Art Fashion Show and Art Show is in the Rotunda of Metro Hall, John Street, Toronto. You may attend as many sessions as you wish. Note: seating is limited to 50 persons per session in 310 and 313; and to 24 in 313A.

8:45-9:45 Rotunda (Main Floor): Registration Opens + Artists Deliver Paintings for Art Show in Rotunda

9:50-9:55 Rotunda: Opening Remarks by Sheila J. Mitchell, Executive Director, Art For All Canada, Inc.

10:00- 12:00 in R310 Alla Prima painting with Acrylics by Doug Purdon (sponsored by Winsor & Newton)
Doug Purdon is a graduate of OCA and an elected member of the SCA and OSA. His work is exhibited in Canada, the U.S. and Britain. He has written an internationally published book on oil painting. He is a highly sought after teacher and workshop leader as well as serving as technical advisor for Winsor and Newton.

10:00-11:00 R313A Blurring the Lines Between Photography and Painting by Robert Fisher
This presentation will demonstrate how to create impressionistic, painterly effects using multiple exposures of source images. The demonstration will walk participants through an image from start to finish. The methodology will use no 'special effects', only the basic tools available in Photoshop.
Robert Fisher is a commercial/fine art photographer and freelance writer based in Oshawa, ON. He has practiced and developed his impressionistic photographic style over more than 10 years.

11:00-12:00 R313A Photographing Your Art by Kevin Backs
This workshop is not Technical. You won't have to know about aperture or shutter speed or focal length or ISO or about creative vision; you've already created your artwork and now you want potential buyers to see it. This workshop is straight-forward and you'll learn: how to take clear, sharp photos of your artworks for websites, email and printed catalogues and about simple guidelines and techniques to showcase your artwork without spending a lot of time or money. We will explore: camera choices, what to look for, what to avoid and what is just sales hype; the one item (besides a camera) that you MUST have; how, when and where to set up and for the best photos of your artwork; and how to get accurate colour in your photos.
Kevin Backs is a photographer who creates photos that people enjoy looking at.

10:00-11:00 R314 The Business of Painting Art by Ken Kirsch
In this session the presenter discusses the most important business aspect of marketing one’s self as a serious artist in today’s over saturated e-markets and demonstrates how he creates a landscape painting - quickly and efficiently using his many tips and tricks.
Ken Kirsch received a Graphic Design education from Seneca College of Applied Arts in the late 1970s and has since had a very successful career in Graphic Arts and Advertising. A merger and acquisition of Kenneth's own Graphic Design Group, Pinpoint Design Studios, with a large International Advertising Agency, has since allowed him to persue his passion for painting on an even more serious basis. Working with Acrylic and Oil paint on stretched canvas, Kenneth paints the Canadian Landscape he knows and loves, in his own unique representational style. His original paintings and reproductions may be seen in hundreds of art galleries and private art collections worldwide, at an ever increasing demand and price.

11:00-12:00 R314 What is the Path to Becoming a Well-known Artist? by Joanna Turlej
This intriguing question is on every artist’s mind. In May 2011, I started this discussion with artists from around the globe on a LinkedIn group and since then the topic has generated over 2,500 comments. In my presentation, I will share many of the views and experiences of the contributing artists, including details of some of their successes and challenges.
Joanna Turlej graduated from OCAD University, where she studied graphic design and fine art. She worked 25 years in her own business, with the last 5 years focusing on painting full time. Her experience in both business and art give her a unique perspective to look at art not only as a process of creation but also as a marketable end product.

Ý 12:00-1:00 Free Buffet Lunch and Prize Giveaways; also visit the Art Show

1:00-2:30 R310 Making Your Own Specialty Papers and Transfers by Valerie Kent

2:30-4:00 R310  How to prepare an effective Artists Statement by Valerie Kent
This workshop concentrates on how to be ready when opportunity presents itself and your information is needed. Artists must promote and self advocate. Important documents for your personal repertoire are: press releases, statements of personal philosophy, artists’ statement, and 50, 100 and 200 word bios. Template kits are provided.
Valerie Kent, B.F.A., B.Ed., M.F.A., O.C.T. is an award-winning artist and teacher. She studied at Ecole des Beaux Arts in Montreal, Concordia, U of Iowa, York, St. Francis Xavier, Toronto Universities and at the Ontario Studies in Education. Valerie facilitates workshops and courses in Canada, Italy and France. Her work is collected worldwide.

1:00-2:30 R313A The Business of Selling Fine Art Photography and Giclee Reproductions by Andrew Collett
In this one of a kind seminar Andrew Collett will share with you his path to success as a fine art photographer. From a simple plan to submitting and being accepted at your local gallery to how to expand on a national level Andrew Collett will show you the steps you need to take to be a success.
Andrew Collett has established himself as one of Canada's top selling fine art photographers. He has built his business from the ground up, first starting in his basement and selling at art shows Andrew now distributes his work through a network of over 100 retailer's and galleries across Canada. With sales of some 3000 giclee canvases per year Andrew now has the assistance of a team of talented staff who help him market and produce his artwork.

2:30-4:00 R313A Story-Telling Through Visual Design by Julie Waterhouse
Are your pictures worth a thousand words? Are they the right words to tell your story? This talk will explain visual design concepts that will help you make purposeful decisions about how you arrange the elements in your pictures to convey a particular mood, emotion, or idea. Julie is an award-winning fine art photographer. She resides in Markham, close to the local farmland and woods she loves to photograph.
Formerly an IT professional, Julie left the software industry to pursue her passion for photography full-time. She loves to share the joy of photography through teaching.

1:00-2:00 R314 Art in Nature by John Grande
"Cultural identity is as necessary to humanity as the sun is to nature, for it guides us to identify who we are, where we have come from and where we are going. The impulse to create reflects an implicit desire to improve the world around us. Art can no longer be purely object based. The limits imposed on us by nature are guiding us to establish a new global ethic that involves the mutual respect between living things. Art draws upon that flow of energies that is part of the process of life, the procreative core of our need to transform, enrich express". (from "The Spiritual in Art linking Nature to it All" by John K. Grande/1997).
Writer and art critic John Grande's articles have been published in Artforum, Sculpture, Art Papers, British Journal of Photography, La revue Espace, Public Art Review, Landscape Architecture, Vie des Arts and Circa (Ireland). His latest book Art & Ecology will be published in Shanghai China early in 2012. Mr Grande co-curated Eco-Art in Pori Finland in 2011 with Peter Selz and Earth Art at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.

2:00-3:45 R314 Social Media for Artists: How to Sell Your Artwork on the Web by Moshe Mikanovsky
This session discusses • How to use Social Media to promote your art - Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, YouTube, art forums; • What are the different categories of art sites? • Do I need a blog? • How do I get my site to appear on Google searches? • How do I start? Building web presence in stages.
Moshe has spent 20+ years in software development and as an artist (watercolors, mixed media) he uses Social Media to promote his art. He has developed and given courses and seminars to artists and groups including Toronto Potters, Fusion, Artists’ Network, Israeli Artists Group. He is a regular contributing writer at FineArtViews blog and is President of the Israeli Artists Group of Toronto.

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Day 2: Sunday March 4th, 2012

9:00-9:25 Rotunda (Main Floor): Registration - Artists pick up their badges and prepare for Art Fashion Show.

9:25-9:30 Opening Remarks in Rotunda by Sheila J. Mitchell, Executive Director, Art For All Canada, Inc.
9:30-9:50 Special Event in Rotunda - "AFAC Art Fashion Show 2012 ” where artists “model” their art. All registered attendees are eligible to participate!

10:00-12:00 R310 Encaustic painting demo by Kathryn Bevier (sponsored by Enkaustikos Wax Art Supplies, Rochester, N.Y.)
Encaustic paints are not just for painting! There are so many ways to work with encaustics from printmaking to collage, image transfers to ceramics. Come to this presentation to open your mind to a variety of exciting ways of incorporating encaustic paints into your art. Find out the just how versatile this wax based painting medium is and how you might find ways of incorporating it into your own art form. Kathryn will cover the basic working properties of encaustic paints. As time allows she will demonstrate how to create a variety of surface textures, as well as show how to use encaustics for an array of mixed media applications, printmaking and image transfer. Kathryn Bevier has traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada for Enkaustikos Wax Art Supplies to provide learning opportunities. Kathryn earned her BFA at Lyme Academy College of Fine Art where she was classically trained. As product manager for Enkaustikos she supervises paint production maintaining the highest quality control standards. Kathryn also tests and evaluates new pigments to determine their compatibility for encaustic painting.

10:00-12:00 R313A Images Within by Karen Brodie (workshop stone carving kit costs $25.00; tools / supplies are provided)
For this workshop, each person will have to purchase a carving kit ($25.00) for the class. The instructor will provide the tools, sand and polishing paper and finishing supplies and will also give to each person a loon blank to work on for the class. Attendees work on this piece in class and if finished before the end of the 2 hour course they may take their carving home with the carving kit. The kit provides instruction, a riffler, sand paper and a piece of soapstone. If attendees finish their loon early, they can work on the kit soapstone!
Karen Brodie has produced a wide of carvings and her eclectic pieces range from figurative nudes to mythical creatures. Karen is a Contempary Realism Sculptor whose thought provoking sculptures are of great beauty and originality.

10:00-11:00 R314 Get Out of the Way: A Positive Attitude Towards Creativity by Rolland Proulx
This talk focuses on the creative process and how we often interfere with the flow of ideas when we doubt what we intuit and how we feel about our ideas and their development. The speaker will present a positive approach as concerns creativity and its practical application in everyday life.
Rolland E. Proulx is autodidactic; a prolific creator. Artist, designer & author, he demonstrates excellence in all his creative quests. Rolland’s unique formation is reflected in his passionate and original approach to creativity. His imagery, rich in esoteric meaning and beauty, is a visual feast of whirling symbols and eclectic mythologies; his creations are at once iconographic, spiritual and timeless, a celebration of the unusual, revealing the alchemist visionary at work. Rolland is the recipient of several art grants and design awards. His first book, The Electric Oracle Speaks (Wisdom Now and Forever), was published in 2004.

11:00-12:00 R314 Art: creative commons and catalyst for environmental conservation and a sustainable future by Leslie Luxemburger
This session explores the powerful role of the artist in implementing environmental conservation and sustainability, and ways that visual art, music and performance art can communicate contemporary environmental issues in an innovative way. Art can and should play an active role in conserving nature, in building sustainable communities and fostering community well being and genuine 'progress'. An exploration of artists doing environmental work is provided, including a slide show of Les' own Environmental Art for Sustainability Program (EASP) in York Region.
Les Luxemburger is a visual artist, art educator and youth facilitator, who uses visual art to educate and inform people, businesses and communities about environmental sustainability and conservation. He has six years of experience working in the environmental field, twenty-two years experience as a visual artist, and is the owner and creative director of ART on the Go, a creativity consulting business in Newmarket, Ontario.

Ý 12:00-1:00 Free Buffet Lunch and Prize Giveaways; also visit the Art Show

1:00-2:30 R310 The use of mediums to adjust the working properties of oils and varnishing paintings by Doug Purdon (sponsored by Winsor & Newton)
Doug is a professional painter and Educational and Technical Advisor for Winsor & Newton. He lectures on painting materials and techniques at colleges and universities including University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies and Loyalist College. His work is exhibited in galleries in Canada, US and Britain.

2:30-4:00 R310 Art In Sync - Being An Artist & Gallery Owner by Mark Jeremy Gleberzon
This session will present the challanges - humourously - of finding a balance between being a professional artist and the owner of a small downtown gallery; it will present the idea "I'm thinking of opening my own gallery..." isn't as easy as it might sound. But it does have its rewards.
Mark Gleberzon has been a professional artist for nearly 20 years. His medium is acrylic, photography and mixed media. Mark has participated in numerous art shows and venues in both Canada and the US and has a number of galleries carrying his work. His latest project is owning and running his own Toronto gallery called "MJG".

1:00-3:00 R313A Museum Artist at Work, it could be You* by Bert Degraaf
*This session is limited to only 10 attendees. In it the speaker will present a short slide show regarding functioning artist in museums to encourage artists to explore this as a valid medium of creative expression; his own 25 years of museum work will be featured along with acquired material from Ontario museums and other sources. The follow-on workshop will give artistsa chance to get a hands on experience for exhibit design by making miniature mock-up exhibits using art work, text, graphics and small artifacts. The models may be on display for the duration of the conference.
Bert Degraaf began his art career at age 14 and was selling his work in a Michigan gallery by age 18. After immigrating to Canada he graduated with honours in the Design Arts program of Georgian College in Owen Sound. He painted his first diorama in the Owen Sound county museum for 30 years has been working as a design/exhibit technician and curator in county and town level museums, as well as creating his own easel art and commissions during free time. He has hired artists for exhibits, taught art classes at all age levels over the past 7 years; he has also painted and repaired street and indoor murals and is a member of Mural Routes, Toronto.

3:00-4:00 R313A Canadian Bedouin in Riyadh by Sharlene McLearon
This fascinating session is suitable for artists all ages and experience who are interested in different cultures and it traces the speakers life from 1983 when Sharlene moved from Canada to Saudi Arabia; the cultural differences and restrictions she encountered (especially for women); how her plans and goals for study and painting / illustrating / solo and group exhibitions were affected by permissions to travel and travel itself both inside the kingdom and to neighbouring countries; how she brought Dutch Masters to Saudi TV; the nature of "Political paintings"; and, the influences of the Gulf War.

1:00-2:30 R314 Copyright & Contracts: Legal Considerations for Visual Artists by Paul Sanderson, Barrister and Solicitor
This presentation will focus on discussing the issues that visual artists need to consider when conducting their art business. The speaker will discuss such topics as contracts including liability considerations; copyright including artist’s rights, intellectual property. There will be a Q & A; attendees are welcome to bring their questions.
Paul Sanderson has advised visual artists, art galleries and arts associations on contract and copyright matters, including large public commission contracts for venues such as the Ontario Science Centre. Paul has also assisted in the establishment of and provided ongoing legal advice for copyright collectives in the visual art field. He has lectured at over a dozen post-secondary institutions in Ontario including most of the leading legal and arts campuses. Paul is committed to the practice of law as a profession, not just as a business. He is co-founder of ALAS (Artists’ Legal Advice Services), Canada’s first summary advice legal service which offers free legal advice for artists of all disciplines.

2:30-4:00 R314 Introduction To Marketing For The Commercial Artist by Benjamin Phillip Frisch
In this session the speaker will discuss the importance of marketing and being entrepreneurial, how to define target markets, the role, use and relevance of Direct Response marketing,Social Marketing and the use of business tools- including websites, business cards, brochures, brand identity and budget advertising worth trying. Your Questions are invited.
Ben Frisch has been an artist and illustrator from an early age, and has spent over 6 years working as a marketing executive. He currently works as a full time artist in Toronto and applies much of his corporate marketing knowledge and business skills to his own business of being an artist.

Conference SEATING IS STRICTLY LIMITED so Register now to avoid disappointment.
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