Gallery: February 2018

Keita Kankam

Kicking off The Carrot's annual Black History Month, we welcome Keita Kankam to our gallery. Originally from Ghana, Kankam's art is inspired by the shapes and colours of his hometown.

Be sure to check out the Artist Meet & greet on Wednesday February 7. Details Here.

Artist Bio

I studied at the Ghanatta college of Art and Design in Accra, where in 2006 I obtained a diploma in Art and Design. Often I create what I feel, think and see around me. My favorite genres are abstract compositions, landscapes and village scenes. I prefer using acrylic colors, inks, pastels, and charcoal because they are easy to use once one knows how to manipulate them. Starting to paint on my own as an independent artist has not been easy. There have been times of success and downfalls, but with the passage of time I have seen the beauty, humour, and value in all my work.

Artist Statement

As an artist I strive to develop paintings which express the beauty that exists in the world to myself and to others. Often I create what I feel, think, and see around me. An important part of my process is sketching what i have seen during my daily activities or what I have felt, and then recreating this on canvas. When painting, I want to create something beautiful and expressive, so I put so much of energy and passion into the work to create something unique. At times I have to work on a sketch in order to develop different styles and color schemes. By playing with colors and styles, i hope to create something that is attractive and enjoyable by art lovers, collectors, and newcomer alike. I prefer using acrylic paint, water colours, pastel, ink, and charcoal because once one is familiar with them, they prove to be comfortable and reliable tools. Currently, I am developing a painting style that incorporates a toothbrush and sponge to create an impasto effect in my work. Typically, my preference is for bright colors because color is light and makes the world a better place to live in. Art constitutes an important part of my life as an artist. I hope to bring viewers into a place where they see a reflection of everyday life.

Follow Keita on instagram

Gallery: November 2017

Catherine McMillan

Artist Bio

Catherine has always been an artist, a traveller and a night owl. After Art & Design studies at MacEwan University, her desire for travel and her passion for drawing people took her wandering around the world as a street artist. Alongside her travels, Catherine studied fine art and painting for many years under the mentorship of American painter Eileen Raucher Sutton (whose past students also include Brian Selznick—author and illustrator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret). 

When Catherine and her husband Mark finally moved back to Edmonton, her hometown, she started her company called The Quirky Art Cafe and spent many years drawing live at events, teaching art classes, hosting art & wine nights and gallery shows, doing illustration work and serving coffee in her cute little shop conveniently located right across the street from the elementary school that her three children attended. While she thoroughly enjoyed all of the aspects of her creative business, Catherine always knew that her true passion was painting and so in January 2014, she closed her café and began to paint full time.

She approaches her paintings intuitively, beginning the conversation with thick textured gesso followed by layers of fluid acrylic paint repeatedly applied and wiped off until a luminous colour relationship is created. Sometimes she starts with a clear destination in mind, but often her ideas come out of the work itself; an authentic, emotional response to some unplanned creative interaction. 

Catherine is just as inspired by the real people in her life, her daily physical surroundings and the places she travels to as much as she is by the figures, the words and the magical settings in her imagination, thus forming the constitutive elements of her work. With incredible texture, rich colour, and her own unique sense of perspective, she manages to seamlessly consolidate these separate worlds in a way that entices us to accompany her in a new version of reality.

Annual Garage Sale Fundraiser

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The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse is happy to announce its annual fundraiser:

The Ultimate Garage Sale

Donate: When cleaning out your closets this spring, set aside your items and drop them off between May 9 to May 12 at the Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse (9351 – 118 Ave). Items must be in working/good used condition. 

The Sale: On Saturday, May 13 (from 8am - 4pm) come bargain hunt through treasures, wheel & deal, and make us an offer! Everything must go!

All proceeds from sales support Arts on the Ave. (Arts on the Ave is a registered Canadian Charity).

If you have questions about items to donate or about the sale, please call us at (780) 471-1580. 

Chalk it up in the Community - Call for Artists

Community Celebration!

Join Arts on the Ave for a community celebration as we take over side streets and back alleys with chalk images and word art.

July 22, 2017
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

We need chalk artists! This event is for both emerging and professional chalk artists. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 16th at Midnight. Apply online below:

Fill out my online form.

A Big Heartfelt Thank You

Carrot by Moonlight 2017 was a huge success!

Every seat was filled in the Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse on this special Valentine's Day event.

It was made possible with the help of our Wine Educator Samantha Wall from NAIT, and our sponsors: Northlands, Sherbrooke Liquor, and Blindman Breweries.

A big thank you to all who participated.