August 2011 Newsletter

 Edmonton Latvian Society Imanta

Edmontonas Latviešu Biedrība

Edmontonas Latviešu Biedrība IMANTA, Kanādas visvecākā aktīvā latviešu biedrība, tika dibināta 1947. gadā. Musu oficiālā darbības valoda ir angļu valoda, lai labāk iesaistītu un informētu visas latviešu paaudzes.

The EdmontonLatvian Society IMANTA, Canada’s oldest active Latvian society, was founded in 1947. In order to accommodate and include all Latvians and those of Latvian heritage, our official language of business is English.

August 2011

Summer is almost over and as we slowly start into fall, here is the latest news from the Edmonton Latvian community:

We had another well-attended but rainy Ligo celebration in June. Many thanks to all, especially to our visitors from Oregonand Calgary! There are still unclaimed dishes and tent pegs in the lost & found. If you are missing anything, please contact Ena at imantaedmonton@gmail.com  by  Sept. 1^st before the items are donated elsewhere.

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The Latvian History project we are funding through Athabasca University is ongoing. Michaelle Haughian, our research assistant, has interviewed several of our community members and will be working with IMANTA until mid-December. The purpose is to record and preserve the history of Edmonton Latvians and their different organisations, churches and activities in Edmonton and area over the past decades, as well as their contributions to Canadian life. The result would become a historical resource for the future, similar to Alberta Estonian history at
http://www.albertasource.ca/abestonians/

With your cooperation, our rich history will be well-documented and preserved. Please contact Michaelle if you have not yet heard from her.
She can be reached at 780-394-4885 or michaelleh5@gmail.com

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Donation requests: If you are involved with a non-profit group seeking donations,  please submit a  request form by November 1st.  This form is  available by contacting Liesma  at  imantaedmonton@gmail.com.

A message from the Tarksis family:

Over the last year, Lily and George Jurikass have had some health issues and have not been able to maintain their home.  They were moved to the Devonshire Long Term Care Facility in early January 2011, where they live together in a semi- private room.  Along with the staff at theDevonshire, George is looking after Lily’s needs and, given her age, she is doing quite well.  George is very well liked by all the caregivers as he is quite a gentleman.

Lily and George have entrusted Ed and Deb Tarksis to dispose of their assets.  George has generously donated their Latvian books and albums to Imanta to distribute.  Their other collections of Art, Vases and Classical music will be on display and available for purchase on September 18^th at the Tarksis residence betwee 12:00 noon and 5:00 pm, at1090 Wedgewood Blvd.  Anyone needing directions please call 780-481-1318.

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Earlier this year, IMANTA received a government grant to host a venue for the fourth annual Alberta Arts Days in October.  Plan to attend – everything is free!

                                  ALBERTA ART DAYS 2011

Discover         Experience     Celebrate

Sept. 30, Oct. 1 & 2

Sponsored by theAlbertaGovernment

Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit & M.L.A. for CalgaryNW

 Alberta Art Days, part of Canadian Culture Days, offers opportunities for Albertans to experience and participate in the cultural life of our Province.Edmonton’s Latvian Society IMANTA, the Laurier Heights Art Society, and the Laurier Heights Community League submitted a joint application to celebrate our provincial pride and the importance of art and culture for a vibrantAlberta.  We were one of only twelve groups inEdmonton(and sixty-nine throughoutAlberta) to receive a grant to participate!

Let’s all celebrate together! Come and join us as we showcase the small Baltic nationLatvia: its culture, history, art, and its contribution to our Province.  If you have Amber, wear it and show it off!

For three days, the bare walls of our hall will be full of color and the hall will be a beehive of activity: an Art Show andSale; Art Workshops; talks on the Culture and History of Latvia, the significance of Latvian Amber, the History of Latvian Art; and an array of Latvian refreshments.  Latvian artists living inEdmontonand members of the Laurier Heights Art Society will display their work.

 All activities are free and held at theLaurierHeightsCommunity Center,

14405 – 85 Avenue, enter off 80 Avenue and 144 Street.  Pre-Registration is required for the Art Workshops.

For more information, contact Helen at 780-483-5692 or Joanne at 780-481-4773.

Special Events Calendar

Sat Oct 1         7:00 p.m.         Opening of Art Show and Sale

7:30 p.m.         Music, Widening, Embracing, Singing  with one                                                                   song in Latvian

8:00 p.m.         “The Little Baltic State Latvia”,

A talk by Dr. Margaret Drummond

Sun Oct. 2       2:00 pm           Doors open

2:30 p.m          “Latvian Amber”, a talk and display by Myrtle Marks

3:30 p.m.         “Art History of Latvia”,

A talk and slides by Kurt Marlow M.A.

Events on both days will be followed by socializing, refreshments, and the famous Latvian “Piragi” (bacon buns)

Free Art Workshops

The instructors for the Free Art Workshops are among the best in Edmonton:

Watercolor                 FrancesAlty Arscott   B.F.A

Oil and Acrylic           Isabella Konokowski   M.F.A

Frances will conduct the Intermediate Level Watercolor Workshop.

Isabella is directing the fun at the Beginner Workshops and the Intermediate Level Oils.  She is well known for her portraits of Lois Hole in the downtown library and at  Grant McEwan University.

Registration is by Telephone only – contact Dellah at 780-450-0738, please leave a message

Intermediate Level Workshops

Fri Sep 30       The Intermediate Level Workshops for Oils and Watercolor are                                    full

So You Think You Can’t Paint?   YES YOU CAN! (Beginner Level Workshops)

All materials (acrylics, paint brushes, and canvases) are supplied.  Everything is free.  However, you must PRE-REGISTER in order to participate.  There is a maximum of 16 artists in each class.

Sat Oct 1         9:30 a.m. – 12:30 pm Children, age  6 years – 12-ish

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 pm   Adults

Sun Oct 2        9:30 a.m. – 12:30 pm Teens

Please remember that seniors can phone Yellow Cab at 780-462-3456 for transportation to any of our events, courtesy of our casino-funded taxi program. Vouchers will be available at each event.