Since 2021 we have been working with STORYHIVE to create a 3 season tv show about the Arts in Edmonton: Crafting a Career in the Arts. We are excited to announce the release of our third season, which delves into the inspirations behind some of Edmonton’s most iconic arts promoters and the people that run them, on September 24th, 2024 through TELUS On Demand and Storyhive! Seasons 1 & 2 are already out on TELUS On Demand and Storyhive (via YouTube).

Season 3 took us to many new areas of the Edmonton arts scene. We spoke with Murray Utas & Magan Dart from The Fringe, Terry Wickham from The Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Rhea March from the School of Song stage & CJSR, Phil Alain from The Night of Artists Art Walk and NOA Gallery, Kim Fjordbotten from The Paintspot and The Whyte Avenue Art Walk, Catherine Crowston from The Art Gallery of Alberta and many others who help create and support our local arts scene.

In season 2 we spoke with Blake Desjarlais, Dylan Toymaker (Head artist for Flying Canoe, etc), Daniel Foreman (Co-creator of the Edmonton Short Film Festival), Giselle Denis (Painter who has raised nearly 1 Millon for charity in Edmonton), and more about their accomplishments and their advice to other creatives. 

Season 2

Season 1

Season 3

Out on TELUS Optik TV Channel 9 on September 24 2024.

Full Series on YouTube, on the Storyhive YouTube Channel, October 26, 2024.

Crafting a Career in the Arts - The Inspirations

• Episode 1 - We visit Edmontons oldest standing theatre in the search for what inspired our present day theatre scene. Magan Dart and Murray Utas of the Fringe Theatre share insights into what inspired the festival and Megan discusses her innovations in theatre.

• Episode 2 - Terry Wickham, artistic direction and producer, of The Edmonton Folk Music Festival shares insights into what inspired the festival, why he started working in the music industry and how he hopes the festival inspires others.

• Episode 3 - Live performance coach, radio host, and musician Rhea March, shares what inspired the talent stage at the folk festival. Arts on the Ave discuss how they support the arts. Bill discusses the importance of open mic nights (Edmonton).

• Episode 4 - Edmonton Artist, Event organizer, and store owner Kim Fjordbotten shares what inspired her to help create and then organize one of Canada’s largest Artwalks. Kim discusses her journey in the arts, as well as, highlights and challenges from her event.

• Episode 5 - Artist, promotor and gallery owner Phil Alain shares what inspires him in the work he does in the arts and the charity he started to help families in Edmonton. Artists from Edmonton share insights about the arts community and volunteering.

• Episode 6 - Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Alberta, Catherine Crowston, shares what inspired the founding of the AGA and what inspires her as a curator and director. Then Rebecca New, from the Allied Arts Council in Spruce Grove, and Kerry Atkinson, Museum Coordinator from The Alberta Legacy Development Society, talk about how and where to find inspiration.

"Crafting a Career in the Arts: The Art of Why" delves into the intriguing motivations propelling Edmonton's creative luminaries to craft masterpieces that transcend the canvas, screen or medium of their calling. More than mere strokes of brilliance, this series uncovers the captivating narratives behind the artwork, unraveling the 'why' that fuels each artist's imagination.

Features artists:

● World renowned photographer and digital artist - Renee Robyn

● Metis dancer, change maker and government elected official- Blake Desjarlais

● Edmonton filmmaker, musician and the founder of The Edmonton Short Film Festival - Daniel Foreman.

● Wire artist and educator - Laura Ouimet

● Fine artist and fundraiser (who has raised almost one million for charity!) -

Giselle Denis

● Light artist and senior artist for the Flying Canoe Volant - Dylan Toymaker.