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NORTHERN EXPERiENCE writer LiSA KOPOCHiNSKi wrote a piece on FLiN FLON’S NORVA CENTRE,  featuring it as an art centre/space that has brought together artists and art lovers of all ages over this past year.  This was no small feat as prior to this no such place existed, which I can attest to having grown up in FLiN FLON myself.  For a town that has primarily been known as a mining/hockey/fishing community, the arrival and success that is NORVA Centre are particularly important as it expands its horizons for a way to be more inclusive to the wider community.  I think of all the young and stifled youth in town, who may have felt exactly as I did growing up there – that there really can be a common place for artists and visionaries to gather together for way of exploring, sharing and communicating in a way unlike the town has before.  I commend everyone involved in the success of NORVA, and will keep my fingers crossed that they will continue to move forward in any of their individual or group successes.

Below are a few excerpts from NORTHERN EXPERiENCE’S piece, also highlighting just what the NORVA Centre has brought to the community, as well as how to make it as self-sustaining operation, as NORVA has their sights set on some big goals in the future.  The topic of NORVA and just what it now brings to the isolated community of FLiN FLON is particlarly close to me – and as part of the article itself, I couldn’t have been happier and more honored to share my thoughts with KOPOCHiNSKi.

Having shared the ‘Hail The Narcissist/They Say I’m Different’ exhibit/performance last summer, not only did I feel a terrific sense of inclusion from NORVA and FLiN FLON in general, for they welcomed me home with open arms and interest – but furthermore a sense of optimism and pride for a community that indeed should be nurturing the creative talents there.

For the full article and more information on NORVA Centre, read the article online here :  http://www.lesterpublications.com/samples/Northern/NorthernExp_Issue2-2011-FinalLR.pdf

“Before NORVA, there was really nothing”, says SARAH TREVOR, a local artist and chairperson of the FLiN FLON Art Councils steering committee who is one of the individuals instrumental in getting this project off the ground.  “Several times the arts council had tried to start a gallery but the problem was always if your going to have artists run a center, they have to have space to work.”

Spearheaded with funding from the Royal Bank Emerging Artists Program and founding patrons Hudbay Minerals and the FLiN FLON Neighborhood Revitalization Committee NORVA spans 1,500 square feet and provides painters fibre artists and photographers with enough space to create and display works.

With ample room for 10 to 14 artists, NORVA regularly welcomes new resident artists.  Soon approaching its one-year anniversary, so far the centre has held 17 classes and workshops for all ages.

In August, NORVA hosted a week long art retreat with 36 artists attending, some from as far as NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. and WiNNiPEG.  And next summer, NORVA artists are taking a show to the Cre8ery Gallery in WiNNiPEG - the first ever from FLiN FLON.

“Having space to share the skills with others in the community is a huge bonus for our local artists” says TREVOR.  “Such a facility provides the community with the opportunity to get involved in activities that have not been avaliable.”