New Extreme
New Extreme Mentorship Program – Connecting local artists and youth!
The New Extreme Program pairs local artists with groups of youth across Victoria, and together they explore various aspects of being an artist and engaging with contemporary art. Every spring, groups learn about: Artistic concepts, creative processes, writing an artist statement (or manifesto) and creating and sharing an artistic project/s.
What’s happening in Spring 2023:
Central Middle School students and Victoria artist mentor Jamin Zuroski are coming together to co-create this year’s AGGV mural. They are combining ideas of environmental stewardship, personal freedom and the joy of colour, while learning how to make art on a massive scale!
About Jamin:
Jamin Zuroski is a Namgis First Nations/Polish/Ukrainian artist who practises in a wide range of mediums, including cedar carving, mural painting, glass and cedar sandblasting and computer graphics. He states, “identity and respect for the teachings of our ancestors is what guides me as I wake and go to sleep”.
Learn more about Jamin at www.jaminzuroski.com
Students from S.J. Burnside Alternative Education are paired with local visual artist and singer Nicole Mandryk. Together they are investigating traditional beadwork by making and stitching original designs, after taking time to sit with the land and pull inspiration from that action.
About Nicole:
Nicole Mandryk is of Anishinaabe, Irish and Ukrainian descent, and lives on lək̓ʷəŋən territory. Her traditional Anishinaabe name is Niibinobinesiik, which translates to “summer thunderbird”. She is completing her MFA at UVIC, and is interested in how dream methodology and stories can inform the creation of physical installations. Nicole’s mentors are Lindsay Delaronde (Mohawk), Jessica Gokey (Anishinaabe) and Lynette La Fontaine ( Metis).
The New Extreme program is generously funded by the RBC Emerging Artist Project.
Images (L-R): Photo by AGGV | Jamin Zuroski, Photo credit Mike Glendale | Nicole Mandryk, photo by AGGV.
