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CURRENT EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

The James Black Gallery exhibits work in many mediums and forms. The space has a combination of elements that allow artists to be playful with the design and the usage of the space. We currently host indoor/outdoor workshops that are organized by community members, production rentals, and exhibitions.

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repiecing

opening nov 8th

​nov 8th-24th

a hammock residency exhibition

jason young, kerri flannigan, jiji buck, marita michaelis, sophia bartholomew, heidi nagtegaal

 

PAST EVENTS 2024

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Artist Pop Up! LOVE APPEAL 

February 2nd, 2024  4-8PM 

                     

Want to be surrounded by love? Want to support local artists? Come join JBG studiomates @damarra.grace and @jebs.junk

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SEEDS OF SOLIDARITY:

COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER FOR PALESTINE

FEBRUARY 24TH, 2024

Workshops 11am-5pm

Art Market & Live Music 5pm-10pm

No fee to enter the market & free educational handouts provided while supplies last. Raffle prizes to be announced.

Vendors, workshops, and sponsors to be announced soon!

This event is 100% volunteer-led, venue is donated, and 100% proceeds donated to PCRF. To volunteer, become a sponsor or vendor, donate a raffle prize, or ask questions cocreatives.info@gmail.com, or reach out to @cocreatives.projects on instagram.

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The Leap Day Show

February 29th, 2024  Doors at 7:30PM                   


cute lil queer Leap Day comedy show at The James Black Gallery by @cozy.comedy. entry by e-sim donation

Link

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AnARTchists Art Build for Palestine

Hosted between January to May 2024 

Stay Up To Date by following @anartchists on Instagram.

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PART TO PART

May 16th-23rd, 2024

opening May 16th 6-9PM
May 17th-23rd 1-4PM 

In this exhibition of new work by Jane Grocott and Cal Thomas, severed fragments are joined together in their undone-ness, not to create a new whole, but to test the intention of parts. These joints guide a thread which begins somewhere in memory, in an intangible place that relies on remembering or forgetting, and weaves through moments of ideation towards a semblance of story. Whether in paint on canvas, or in assembled objects obscured between sheathes of salvaged plastic, following this thread is a process of confronting uncertainty and trusting the unfolding of one’s own intuition.  

Grocott and Thomas pull from their surroundings to create environments which act as stages for ideas to play. Exploring these tender, makeshift landscapes, they reconcile disconnected parts of their reality, both external and internal, looking to arrive at some version of realization. Building from a common tendency for playful abstraction, both artists are layering and collaging objects and imagery, emphasizing subtle nuances in relational elements and enacting interplay between parts. Part to Part is about relationships; in friction and harmony, in agitation and indifference.

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AnARTchists Art Build for Palestine

June 9th 7-9PM Zine Making Workshop

Stay Up To Date by following @anartchists on Instagram.

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QAF Community Art Show

Jun 17 – 29 | Tues – Sat| 12 – 6pm | Free

Established way back in 1998, the then-named Pride in Art Community Show was the event that started it all. Over the years the name and location have changed, but the spirit remains the same: showcasing and celebrating the outstanding artists and artwork from our local 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. The QAF Community Art Show returns in full form to the James Black Gallery; join us for the opening revelries at the JBG on June 17 from 7 – 10pm.
 

Exhibiting Artists

Alexandra Caprara • Allison Kiernan • Ava Katz 
Brie • D Feakes • Dana Ayotte • Edzi’u • Jack Page
Kaila Bhullar • Maya U Schueller Elmes • Pedram Penhan
Rachel Warwick & A. Branch • Sam Kaplan • Sus Cho – Bear Barnetson  • Suze Shore • Vee CR (@v.chorabik) & Lily Flanjak
Wilson S. Wilson

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Found Sound Music 

August 9th, 2024

8PM-11PM                                    

Need a soft night of music during the busy summer months? On Friday, August 9th escape from the dystopia with us for an evening of dreamy folk, Americana and synth-pop that will make you laugh, cry, and close your eyes. Featuring: Yawn (supercharged dream pop), Silver Pools (electronic folk & poetry from Toronto), Morning Bun (dream folk/pop), and D.L Forrest (Americana from Philadelphia).   

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Good Medicine Pop Up Market

August 18th, 2024

12PM - 6PM                                  

THE FIRST OF MANY...
GOOD MEDICINE POP UP ARTISAN & FOOD MARKET✨️

WHEN: August 18th, 12pm - 6pm
WHERE: @thejamesblackgallery BACKYARD
Accessibility info on JBG website
FB event on link on my profile

Hosted & organized by yours truly @thundercloudcollective

✨️Please be mindful of what areas of the event are mask mandatory to keep our vendors and community member's safer.

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TAL Y COMO SOMOS - Latidos Latines

August 31st, 2024

2:30PM - 6PM                                  

TAL Y COMO SOMOS is a free, casual social event for LGBTQIA+ latines to meet, share our experiences, and celebrate our queer and latine identities!

Join us for a fun, relaxing afternoon of community and connection. 

  • Easy, fun crafts and activities 

  • Free snacks and drinks

  • Bilingual ( Spanish/English) Facilitators 

  • Public transportation coverage (limited quantity)

  • Bilingual (Spanish/English) resource handouts available

To attend please register for free at the link below. 
Registration is required to attend - only 20 spots available. 

Optional masks and hand sanitizer will be provided.

This event is run by Latidos Latines and funded in part by Canada Service Corps. 
Please contact latidoslatines@qmunity.ca with any questions or to ask about covering public transportation costs to attend. 

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Taking Up Space

September 6th-8th, 2024

6th 6-9PM opening reception

7th & 8th 3-6PM

Taking Up Space showcases sculptures made by 6 transgender artists 🏳️‍⚧️. Join us for the opening reception Friday September 6th from 6-9pm at The James Black Gallery (144 e 6th Ave) or check out the show from 3-6pm on September 6, 7 and 8th.

Artists:
Andra Galbin-Pristavu
Iver Smith
Jai Sallay-Carrington
Jake Duncan
Jay Pahre
Laur Lenaghan

Free to attend
Masks are recommended and provided

curated by @charlie.sandeman
poster by @le_z_boy

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Vicissitudinal Pudding

September 19th-22nd, 2024

19th 7-9PM opening reception

20th-22nd 1-4PM

Jackie is a potter/sculptor whose altered vessels begin with the formal conventions of common ornamented pottery, and end in distortion. 

By corrupting the static disposition of the vessel, an object’s hardness is called into question and the material handling made evident in the finished piece. 

 

Created during the first two years of sobriety, this body of work is a document of fresh grief, anhedonia, late diagnosed neurodivergence, and self medication. 

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WATERLOGGED

February 16th, 2024  7PM                       

Come and immerse yourself in the colourful underwater experience at James's Black Gallery. Georgia Lavelle explores how the beauty of the ocean and furniture design combine to create a fun and vibrant experience playing with silhouettes, colour, and woodworking.

@kelp.sniffer

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Hotmothertruckers Movie Night

February 25th, 2024 5PM - 9PM

 

join chimgee in celebrating her events ig by screening one of their favourite movie duos: wallace and gromit!!! i love claymation and i love getting together with you all so i hope you come celebrate hotmothertruckers with me by getting cozy, snacking, and just straight chilling !!!

Entry by donation or esim to gaza!

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6th Annual General Meeting

March 4th, 2024  630-8PM                       


The James Black Gallery invites all members and interested community to our sixth annual general meeting. We'll be appointing new board members, discussing the budget, and voting on any new changes to our structure. After celebrating our accomplishments we'll mingle nearby at Pressure Point. 

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From Dark to Light

May 9th-12th, 2024

9th 6-9PM opening reception

10th 3-6PM

11th & 12th 2-5PM

A collaborative experience from artists Jay Bluesky Groening, Claire Shannon-Akiwenzie, Kiesha Janvier, and Mike Alexander developed during a pod residency at The James Black Gallery with support from Native Art Renaissance Foundation. 

This exhibit is more than just a display of self-expression—for these artists, it is a conduit for sharing stories, perspectives, and emotions. It is an important opportunity for dialogue and truth-telling, calling for participants to learn and unlearn. It is testament to the resilience, wisdom, and beauty of Indigenous people and communities.

Prepare to be moved by the raw honesty and unfiltered passion that emanates from every piece. Feel the weight of the realities experienced by Indigenous peoples and recognize the hope in the present and future. Please journey with us through the light and the dark.

Jay Bluesky Groening, Claire Shannon-Akiwenzie, Kiesha Janvier, and Mike Alexander

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The Art of Self-Care

May 27th, 2024

6:30PM - 8PM

Join us for 1.5 hour self-care therapeutic art workshop at the James Black Gallery, where self-discovery and expression intertwine. This workshop is a nurturing and protective space designed to guide you through a creative process and help you connect, understand and express your self-care needs.

All art-making materials will be provided and any level of artistic skill is welcome! 

Uncover the power of art to:

* Help navigate minority stress 
* Challenge internalized homophobia 
* Cultivate a sense of safety and belonging 
* Prioritize self-care as an act of empowerment
* Reclaim autonomy and advocate for well-being

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and tools managing your stress and living a more balanced life. Spots are limited so reserve your now and embark on a path towards better care and well-being!

More about this event:

Therapeutic art-making involves using creative processes like drawing, painting, or collaging as a means of expression and exploration, often facilitated in a community setting. It focuses on personal growth, insight and emotional well-being. While art-making can be therapeutic, it is not therapy. 

If you are looking for more specialized therapy services please visit www.jillianbaganarttherapy.com 

This event is part of a bigger iniative, Queer Joy, which is dedicated to celebrating and nurturing the unique experiences of queer individuals.

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Beautiful Trash for Beautiful People 

July 17th-20th

Opening July 17th

exhibition - launch party - social - open mic - fundraiser

BTFBP is a queer-led magazine dedicated to showing the creative works of underrepresented artists. started in Vancouver the Trashcan.Media team's goal is to connect emerging queer artist and celebrate their work. this specific event is a gallery of participants from the first 3 volumes who shared their works from around Canada.

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Ceramics Fundraising Handbuild Workshop

August 10th, 2024

11am-12pm                                       LINK

The James Black studio members present a handbuilding workshop fundraiser! Make your own unique pottery piece with us while supporting our space!    The possibilities are endless with hand building -- make a mug, a ring dish, a bud vase, a plate, little animals, or anything else you can imagine! 

 

We will be hosting a handbuilding workshop to help fundraise for desperately needed equipment for our ceramics studio. The session will be 1hr and we will provide the clay as well as guidance, tips, and tricks!   

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Silent Auction & Fundraiser Show for DULF

August 24th, 2024

7PM - 12AM                                    

come out and support DULF’s legal aid fund as they decide to pursue a constitutional challenge and fight the charges they face. There will be love music from goodwife, hot snack and worry wart and a dj set from NO NAME NO SLOGAN.

There will be a silent auction open during the event filled with the likes of ceramics, tattoo time, an RMT session and so much more!!! let’s show DULF and the community of people who use drugs how much we love and care for them.

SAFE SUPPLY SAVES LIVES!!

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Pet Day Signing

August 10th, 2024

11am-12pm                                      

The James Black studio members present a handbuilding workshop fundraiser! Make your own unique pottery piece with us while supporting our space!    The possibilities are endless with hand building -- make a mug, a ring dish, a bud vase, a plate, little animals, or anything else you can imagine! 

 

We will be hosting a handbuilding workshop to help fundraise for desperately needed equipment for our ceramics studio. The session will be 1hr and we will provide the clay as well as guidance, tips, and tricks!   

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As Above / So Below

September12th 7-8:30PM 

Tickets are $20CAD 

LINK

Join Sandu Ndu and India Sky on their west coast tour As Above / So Below September 12th - 28th. Spanning 5 cities and myriad landscapes in between the artists become sonic ecologists, offering songs, soundscapes, and an invitation to connect to ecosystems, imagination and community. Performances will take place in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Oakland and LA venues. The tour will also include performance/meditations in nature that may or may not include human audiences, and are intended to open up channels of communication between the planet and our inner worlds. Each performance will shape the next, with footage, motifs, sounds and stories added, released and transformed as the tour progresses.  As Above / So Below is an evolving offering, and an opening for expansive dialogue. 

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Elemental Workshop

September 26th 7-9PM 

$50-$100 Sliding Scale Tickets

LINK

Make an elemental banner with patches from earth, air, fire, water, and sew them on a ribbon. Patches are from By Tooth And Claw Clothing and all sewing materials and ribbons are provided. The banner will be about 4-5' long depending on how long you make your banner ribbon. The patches are 4x5" each.

 

During this workshop you will make an elemental banner, and learn a bit about the elements in witchcraft, and how they connect with tarot, astrology and your body. All proceeds go to a specific Vancouver based Palestinian man who is raising money to get his family out of Palestine. 

 

Heidi Nagtegaal is a tarot, astrology, runic, and psychic reader at Tarot Times With Heidi (TTWH), and also a tarot and nature clothing company owner of By Tooth and Claw Clothing (BTACC). They are also an established artist, and run a collective called Hammock Residency.  

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Truth and Reconciliation Indigenous Artisan Pop Up

September 28th

12-6PM 

@thundercloudcollective in partnership with @thejamesblackgallery and @pressurepoint108 ✨️

Truth and Recolociliation [is dead] indigenous artisan pop up! Come and celebrate living indigenous artist's directly before this national day of mourning.

Saturday, Sept 28th/2024
2111 Main St, outside of @pressurepoint108
12 - 6PM  

 
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