About TRUCK

Artist-Run Centres?

Artist-run Centres (ARCs) are non-profit organizations, run by and for artists, supporting new and innovative practices in the arts. With a rich history that spans over thirty years, ARCs have had a significant impact on the cultural ecology in Canada and around the world. Generally, these centres exhibit contemporary art which parallels the larger public institutions and private commercial galleries – offering an alternative to artists in determining how to represent their work. Most of Canada’s best known and internationally recognized contemporary artists, curators and cultural practitioners have come out of the artist-run centre movement.

[definition taken from the Pacific Association of Artist-Run Centres’ website, www.paarc.ca]

Centres d’artistes autogérés ?

Les centres d’artistes autogérés sont des organismes à but non lucratif, dirigés par un conseil d’administration comptant une majorité d’artistes, dont l’activité principale est de favoriser la recherche, la diffusion et la production d‘œuvres du domaine des arts visuels et des arts médiatiques. Ils mettent à la disposition des artistes des espaces, des équipements, des services, des ressources spécialisées et offrent à la communauté des activités telles des expositions, des conférences, des débats, des performances, des publications, des résidences et de la documentation.

[définition tirée du site Internet du Regroupement des centres d’artistes autogérés du Québec, www.rcaaq.org]

CONTEMPORARY ART IN CALGARY

The Second Story Art Society (Operating as TRUCK) is a non-profit artist-run centre dedicated to the development and public presentation of contemporary art. Since it was founded in 1983 the Society has facilitated over 350 exhibitions in addition to countless activities and events in support of cultural development and contemporary art appreciation. Currently, TRUCK hosts 15 exhibitions annually in its two exhibition venues, and various collaborative events and activities with other arts groups and nonprofit organizations.

TRUCK is dedicated to the presentation of contemporary art. Our goal is to incite dialogue locally, which contributes to the global critical discourse on contemporary art.

TRUCK's primary activities in support of this mission are:

• To present dynamic programming
• To foster innovative artistic practices
• To encourage experimentation
• To engage artists and the public in a discussion about the art form

TRUCK is dedicated tot he advancement of contemporary art by committing to the following values:

• Artist-centered
• Diversity
• Self-determination
• Collaboration

TRUCK exhibitions are open to the public from 11am to 5pm, Tuesday to Friday, Saturday noon to 5pm. Admission is free.

TRUCK BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(The Second Story Art Society)

• Ken Buera - President
Ken Buera is a media artist and long-time member of the Calgary arts community and has volunteered on the Boards of numerus non-profit arts organizations


• Karin Põldaas - Vice President


• Shelley Ouellet  - Treasurer


• Heather Kai Smith - Secretary


• Catherine Hamel - Director

• Aurora Landin - Director


• Hazel Staffery- Director

• Nicole Bacsalmasi- Director

• Suzanne Franks - Director

• Katherine Ziff - Director
Katherine Ziff is an exhibit developer for the Telus World of Science - Calgary New Science Centre Project. She has developed exhibitions for children's museums and science centres across the United States, exploring the creative intersection of art and science to bring out peoples' curiosity and ingenuity. She holds a BA in English and an MA in Museum Studies.


• Robin Murphy - Director
Robin Murphy holds the degrees of BFA in Sculpture (ACAD 2006), MBA (McGill 1983) and BA in Psychology (Concordia 1979).  As a public art consultant, currently working with the City of Calgary Public Art Program, Robin is an advocate and supporter for arts and culture in Calgary.  Robin volunteers on a number of arts related boards and committees and is also a practicing artist. She sculpts primarily in steel, bronze and wood, exploring a figurative or life experience narrative.


• Cyndy Ward - Director
Cynthia Ward is a visual artist with a strong interest in literature. She has been working at various artist run centers in the Calgary arts community for a number of years. She is strongly commited to education, interdisciplinary arts and emerging artists.

TRUCK STAFF

• Renato Vitic - Director

Renato Vitic has toiled in the arts community in Calgary in various roles such as the Festival Coordinator for the Mountain Standard Time Performantive Art Festival (M:ST), the Manager of Resource Development for the Art Gallery of Calgary, a member of the Board of directors of the Mountain Standard Time Performative Art Festival Society (M:ST), and now as the Director of TRUCK Gallery. Recently completing a residency at the Banff Centre, Renato presented an interactive collaborative performance with the Ministry of Walking, and presented five walking performances as part of the “Walking and Art” thematic residency. Past performances in Calgary have included the Afrika Dey Ministry of Walking Postcard Project, and the public book shredding performance in the STRIDE Gallery +15 exhibition space entitled, “Public Good.” Renato has exhibited his performance and painted works both in Calgary, Edmonton, and Halifax and has recently performed on his own and as a member of the walking collective, “The Ministry of Walking,” in Calgary as part of the Performance Creation Canada Conference, 2008.


• Randy Niessen - Programming Coordinator
  

Based in Calgary, AB Randy Niessen earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Alberta College of Art & Design. His current studio practice explores a hybrid of painting, print media, and sculpture in site specific installations. These installations are concerned with materials in relation to space, and the contrast between authentic objects and their impersonation. He currently serves as the Programming Coordinator for TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary.

• Nate McLeod - Programming Assistant

Nate McLeod is a Calgary based artist who recently completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Alberta College of Art & Design, with a major in Painting. McLeod’s practice examines the relationship between viewer, exhibition space, and artwork – creating a triangular dialogue between the three by subverting the traditional way in which a viewer must interact with a painting. This often site-specific studio practice coexists with a necessity to acquire a variety of spaces in which to exhibit, resulting in McLeod’s growing interest in coordinating and curating exhibitions

• Larissa Tiggelers - Engagement Coordinator

Larissa Tiggelers is an emerging Calgary based artist. Upon completing two years in the Fine Arts program at Grande Prairie Regional College she transferred to the Alberta College of Art + Design to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Currently Tiggelers’ has two steams to her artistic practice one in painting and the other in sculpture, installation and stop-motion animation.