Art Speaks: The Business of Being an Artist

So Many Artists, So Few Galleries – Finding Your Way In

with Larry Reese

How does one go about building a relationship with an art gallery? What approach is most conducive for a mutual beneficial connection? First and foremost, is the gallery right for you and are you right for the gallery? Larry Reese has multiple tips to offer those artists who seek to expand ways to get their art seen and potentially sold. The talk will include a list of do’s and don’t, informative handouts, and a lively, hopefully entertaining discussion.

This presentation is offered as part of Art Speaks and takes place at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery from 6:30-8 pm. Pre-registration is required. Light refreshments available. For ages 18+.

About Larry Reese

Larry Reese (pictured) is a multi-talented artist, musician, and actor. His artistic career has spanned many disciplines.

In his early twenties Larry would study with two other renowned Alberta artists; painting in oils with family friend Harry Wohlfarth, and watercolour with Harry Savage.

As well he composed musicals, was a resident music director at the Citadel Theatre, toured Europe with the Edmonton Youth Orchestra, recorded music for several children’s albums and toured North America with the Canadian Rock Opera’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (french horn and composition) from the U of A while earning his tuition playing guitar and singing in rock bands all the while continuing to compose and perform music for theatre and film.

Then in 1976 he was off to Brandeis University in Massachusetts to get a Master’s Degree in Acting, culminating in a stint at the Off Broadway theatre, Café LaMama, NYC. Larry’s first major film acting role was in the Canadian classic, The Hounds of Notre Dame, which was followed by roles in two Oscar winning films; Clint Eastwood’s, Unforgiven and Ang Lee’s, Brokeback Mountain. Over the years Larry has been in dozens of TV series and feature films. The latest one, a Hallmark romantic comedy called A Vintage Bride is due to be released in the Spring of 2023.

Larry taught as a sessional in the Drama Department at U of A, and later accepted a teaching position in the Theatre Studies Department at Red Deer College where he taught acting and directing. He took visual arts night classes at RDC. There he met David More, subsequently becoming dear friends and painting buddies who have continued to paint together for decades.

Larry has had multiple exhibitions in Alberta including in 2010 a solo show at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery (MAG) entitled, Mapping Creativity – A Journey of Transformations. He retired from teaching in 2018 and is now painting full time. Currently he isrepresented by the Grant Berg Gallery in Grande Prairie. See Larry’s work at his website, larryreese.ca.

Larry Reese with (L-R) Stream of Light, Pristine, Guardians of the Sleeping Duck. Each one is 6’X9’. Oil on Linen, 2010. Red Deer Polytechnic permanent art collection.

Tonight’s Art Speaks has been RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 26th at 6:30pm.

Art Speaks: The Business of Being an Artist

How to Frame and Ship Artwork

with Andrea Hatch, Curiosity Art & Framing

Attention all artists! Learn best practices in presenting and conserving your artwork. Join Andrea Hatch from Curiosity Art & Framing in her presentation on the importance of framing artwork and how to ship artwork for safety and preservation.

This presentation is offered as part of Art Speaks and takes place at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery from 6:30-8 pm. Pre-registration is required. Light refreshments available. For ages 18+.

Art Speaks: Artists and Collectors

Emily Promise Allison: Performance Artist and Photographer

Join us in a talk from a local artist with multiple artistic disciplines. Emily Promise Allison is a performance artist and photographer. She will discuss all her practices and processes.

This presentation is offered as part of Art Speaks and takes place at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery from 6:30-8 pm. Pre-registration is required. For ages 16+.

About the Artist

Emily Promise Allison is a Canadian conceptual artist who uses photography and performance to create images that embrace surreal, metaphysical, and dreamlike qualities. The purpose of her work is to activate curiosity, stimulate a sense of wonder, and enable a collapse of status and expectation concerning theoretical knowledge versus lived experience. Emily regards the imagination as a fundamental sense that allows us to find or create magic within systems regulated by logic – celebrating the strange nature of existence and the absurdity of life.