Introducing the 8th Annual Integrate Arts Festival Planning Committee
Ever wondered about who exactly is behind Integrate Arts Festival? Well, it's a wonderful and varied group of dedicated and savvy people who all have a mega-crush on art. Over the next few posts, we'll introduce you to the planning committee through a series of questions & answers plus a wee drawing assignment.
Without further adieu... Introducing:
Zahra Stark, Director, Integrate Arts Festival 2014
Zahra Stark
Q. What made you want to join the Integrate Arts Festival Planning Committee?
A. I absolutely LOVE planning things that I feel passionate about, and a festival celebrating the arts is just that!
Q. What makes you laugh?
A. Life.
Q. Where are you from?
A. Vancouver.
Q. What book is on your nightstand?
A. A pile. Vonnegut, Atwood, Kipling, and Kaling.
Q. What is your favourite spot in Victoria?
A. My jogging route from Rockland, along Dallas Road, and back through Fairfield.
Q. Favourite song?:
A. The Modern Leper by Frightened Rabbit. At least for today - it will be different tomorrow.
Please draw us a picture of your most favourite artwork of all time:
Composition VII by Wassily Kandinsky, drawn by Zahra Stark
Introducing...
Amy McKinstry, Gallery Coordinator, Integrate Arts Festival 2014
Amy McKinstry
Q. What made you want to join the Integrate Arts Festival Planning Committee?
A. I joined last year because it sounded like a fun experience. I'm really happy to be continuing on this year and gaining new experiences!
Q. Where are you from?
A. I'm from Shawnigan Lake, I feel very lucky that my family has a cabin on the lake where I can spend my summers.
Q. What book is on your nightstand?
A. My e-reader is loaded up with A Clash of Kings, by George R. R. Martin. I'm re reading the series to prepare for seriously nerding out on the new season of Game of Thrones!
Q. If you could integrate any two things, what would they be?
A. Comfort and style, I feel like not enough stylish clothes are comfortable. Being cozy is my number one priority.
Q. What is the yummiest thing in your fridge right now?
A. Well, they're not in my fridge but I did just bake some chocolate chip cookies!
Q. What is your favourite spot in Victoria?
A. The Beacon Hill Petting Zoo in the spring when all the baby goats are prancing about. It's my happy place.
Q. Do you read your horoscope?
A. Not regularly, but I definitely believe in certain connections between horoscopes and personalities.
Q. Coffee or tea?
A. Tea all the way, I worked at Serious Coffee for three years and never converted.
Q. What inspires you?
A. Mostly other people, I feel like copying people is sort of taboo but in a way all art is inspired by someone else. I like to take crafts and projects I see on my favourite blogs and make them my own.
Please draw us a picture of your most favourite artwork of all time:
Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault, drawn by Amy McKinstry
Introducing...
Abbey Bennett, Arts Coordinator, Integrate Arts Festival 2014
Abbey Bennett
Q. What made you want to join the Integrate Arts Festival Planning Committee?
A. I became interested when my friend and classmate Amy told me about the Festival and suggested that I volunteer! After doing some research I knew right away that it was something I wanted to get involved with. I think that the art community in Victoria is thriving and exciting, and I want to do everything that I can to participate in that.
Q. What book is on your nightstand?
A. I actually just started reading IQ84 by Haruki Murakami. It is a massive undertaking, but so far it is an interesting and mind bending read.
Q. What is the yummiest thing in your fridge right now?
A. I know that it’s odd, but I have a fresh bunch of radishes in my fridge at the moment. I just adore radishes. They are such a bizarre mix of bitter, sweet, and crispy. Ask me on a different day though, and I’d probably say “pecan pie!”
Q. Favourite song?:
A. Easy, Retrograde by James Blake. That song just immediately makes me think of summer and road trips.
Q. Coffee or tea?
A. I am such a strong advocate for coffee. I have seriously perfected the craft of making a gorgeous cup of drip. Coffee is the most exciting part of waking up each morning (and let’s be honest- afternoon, and even evenings on occasion.)
Please draw us a picture of your most favourite artwork of all time:
More introductions with our next blog post! Stay tuned ...