The Simcoe Contemporary Dancers present Departure!

This week at The Mady in downtown Barrie, Ontario. Tickets are $25 + Thursday night tickets are two for the price of one!

The girls wear Awkward Stage garments during a lovely piece called Betty’s Bench, I am thrilled to be part of the growth of this talented dance company.

Go take in some culture!

Opening this month at Awkward Stage:

Totem
a collection of work by Heather Marchand + Valerie Marchand

Opening reception Saturday, May 11: 6-9pm
On display May 9 to June 8, 2013
at Awkward Stage
Lakeshore Mews (Simcoe + Mulcaster), Barrie
Wednesday to Saturday 10-5

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Info:

A simple object, a token, a memento… a totem, and the reassurance of a guide, a familiar.  The works in “Totem” combine drawing, painting and Craft techniques. The natural world possesses many secrets, science and nature converge with spirit and magic.  The  pattern and geometry in nature we see is only a fraction of the complexity of its structure. The transcendent awe of the natural world is explored by both artists along with symbols and signs of our collective history. 

Heather’s work explores relationships between science and spirit. She remains fascinated by the contrast of the physicality of that which we know, and the unquantifiable notions of what we cannot see. Her kinship to animals makes the natural world an important part of her imagery, exploring its beauty, oddities and wonder. Heather lives and works in Toronto, Ontario but remains closely connected to her hometown on Georgian Bay.

Valerie’s current work explores her relationship to sacred or ceremonial objects, uncovering how anthropomorphism and mysticism can shape her image making. Her mixed media work often draws on memories and familyThe connection between all sentient beings to both the physical and ethereal world is explored.  Valerie lives and works in Toronto, Ontario.

In 23 days, Awkward Stage will be 5 years old. Senior kindergarten, here I come!

If you haven’t been in the shop lately, you might be interested to know that I have been working on a bunch of changes + fun stuff to go along with this milestone birthday. Including:

• a shop + studio makeover! I have moved some racks, there will soon be a brand new changeroom built from old doors + I made a bunch of bunting so the cute factor has increased by about 35%.
• New hours! Starting soon, Awkward Stage will be open Wednesday to Saturday: 11am to 7pm.
• A debit machine! It’s not official yet, but it will be… soon.
• An Etsy shop! Also, not official yet… but soon you will be able to buy Awkward Stage online.
• New stuff in the shop! Fresh handmade items made by local artists.
• A birthday party! Cupcakes, live bands, let’s build a time capsule! It’s all going to happen on May 25th

The countdown is on, here’s to a half decade!

Simply put:

• It connects us to the people who make and sell the things we eat, use and wear every day. I don’t know about you, but I think that makes everyday life sweeter.

• It keeps our local communities vibrant, busy, and interesting. Vive la différence! And perhaps most of all…

• It ensures that we always have lots of choices about where to spend our money, and what products are available to us to bring into our homes and our lives. Local industry requires local participation, and it’s worth the effort.

Winter, Go Home! Sale!

All Awkward Stage stuff is currently 30% off!

Prices as follows:
Still Painting Thunderstorms dress was $124, NOW $87!
Fox Hunt capelet was $38, NOW $27!
Collect + Gather skirt was $78, NOW $55!
Wendy Darling top was $62, NOW $43!

Sale starts April 17 and runs until April 27! Come get a deal + send winter on it’s way. Make way for spring!

This month at Awkward Stage:

THINK TWICE
Luoma VS Mayer

Opening reception: Saturday, April 6: 6-9pm

On display April 6 to April 27, 2013
at Awkward Stage
Lakeshore Mews (Simcoe + Mulcaster), Barrie
Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5 pm

……………..
info:

Robin Luoma and Ashley Mayer have joined forces with Awkward Stage to present their new show THINK TWICE starting April 6th. This is an exploration of paint and ink done solely on paper surfaces and includes solo pieces as well as a handful of collaborations. Their styles are both abstract and expressionist is nature, and although their execution is completely different, their work compliments each other comfortably. All pieces will be displayed unframed, giving a raw feel to the appearance of this show which will be uniquely curated by Alana Sproule.

This will mark the first collaborative public showing for Luoma VS Mayer…. so don’t Think Twice about being there on opening night to witness the birth of this tag-team and their artistic assault on the Awkward Stage.

R.S.V.P on Facebook

Art With Purpose with Jenn Guerin in the gallery at Awkward Stage this spring!

Saturdays from April 20 to June 1 (excluding may 25)
Two age brackets:
Ages 3 - 5: 10am - noon
Ages 6 - 14: 1pm - 3pm
 
Up-cycled stuffed animals, clay dioramas, wrapping sculptures, wax masks, painting + fun!

$90 all materials included!
Register at Awkward Stage
Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm

Its finally time! The 2013 calendar for the gallery at Awkward Stage is set in stone and needs to be filled!

I am currently taking proposals for another great year of contemporary art on Lakeshore Mews. The gallery is run on a rental fee of $250 for a 4 week show. That covers hydro to the space, your opening reception, postcard invites, all that standard stuff.
Awkward Stage is interested in showing emerging and established artists of all mediums.

Please send me your proposal for work to be shown, a little bit of information about yourself and an idea of what date you’d most like to show in if possible. Below you will find the available dates. You can email me at awkwardstage@hotmail.com or drop by Awkward Stage with a hard copy proposal anytime Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

Let’s have another great year of contemporary art!

Thanks,
Alana
Awkward Stage
Shop, Studio + Gallery
Lakeshore Mews, Barrie
705.818.5046

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2013 Calendar:

January 30 - February 23: Robin Luoma

February 27 - March 23:

March 27 - March 30: Georgian College

April 3 - April 27:

May 1 - May 25:

May 29 - June 22:

June 26 - July 20:

July 24 - August 17:

August 21 - September 14:

September 18 - October 12:

October 16 - November 9:

November 13 - December 7:

Every January, I do an epic store clean. I have been sorting out the closet behind the gallery, it is taking forever but it has never looked so good. Maybe I’ll be able to find things in there…

I also emptied my fabric scaps bin today, it was like an archeological dig through the last almost year of Awkward Stage via tiny bits of textiles. The top was all new materials, the new Awkward Stage. A brand new era in my career as a fashion designer, new material for the first time ever.

Under that was some kilts, the old fall/winter Awkward Stage. Somewhere beneath that I found bits of chiffon and lace from the custom wedding dress I made for the lovely Miss Jacqui Swanek, an order that was an honour to build.

Under that was bedsheets and pillow case bits, spring/summer 2012 remains. It’s strange to think that by spring, I won’t be cutting up bedsheets. The familiar feel of vintage cotton will soon be just a memory. It’s exciting as well, I’ve already started to build a colour story for spring/summer 2013. The next collection will be easier, the one after that will be routine. I’m feeling more settled in this new life with new material. So long, repurposed goods.

2013 will mark Awkward Stage’s 5th birthday and my 8th year as a full-time fashion designer. Both of these facts are almost unreal to me. Huge changes have happened in the last few months and I am starting to accept the new Awkward Stage, starting to be comfortable working in a new way. I know I recently wrote a thank you, but I feel like I can’t say it enough: thank you!

Get ready 2013, Awkward Stage is coming for you. More art, more music, more fashion. Events in the gallery and Awkward Stage garments outside of the walls of Awkward Stage… big plans and daydreams for everyone.

Here we go.

Working on new hang tags + marketing stuff on a Friday night. Thank you Mr. Matt Haskill for my new logo!

The new look of Awkward Stage is in the works.

P.S: you can follow me on Instagram now: @awkwardstage