Art-making fun!
If you love to make and create and are between the ages of 14 and 25, check out our FREE After Three programs. This fall learn all sorts of artmaking skills, such as keychain-making, paper marbling and collage. And best of all, the courses and workshops are free!
We spoke to local artist and printmaker extraordinaire Alicia Nauta, facilitator of some amazing FREE After Three DIY Days, including screenprinting sessions where you can make your own tote bag. Alicia chatted with us about her history with art, what inspires her and why she loves FREE After Three programs.
AGO: When did you first start making art?
Alicia: As a teen, I got involved with a youth centre at the local mall in Niagara. We had a page in a local newspaper where we'd submit writing, artwork, poems. There was also a zine library there and that was my first experience with zines, comics and small press. I started exhibiting at zine fairs not long after.
AGO: How you describe your artistic practice?
Alicia: My focus is on analog ways of making. I use photocopied material from older publications to create collages. From these, I make screenprinted posters, prints, wallpaper, art books, installations, textiles and more.
View this post on Instagram
Printing a new collab between myself and @sloweditions for Toronto art book fair next weekend ?
A post shared by Alicia Nauta (@klassic_kool_shoppe) on Jun 28, 2018 at 1:16pm PDT
AGO: What is your favourite thing about FREE After Three?
Alicia: I'm always blown away by the participants’ creativity, imagination, and flexibility. I’ll introduce an idea, and the young people take it to the next level, expanding and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. What I really wanted as a teen was to be encouraged and supported in pursuing creative ideas, so if I can help create that space and inspire someone to try something new, that's really fulfilling.
AGO: Do you have a personal highlight of working with the FREE After Three program?
Alicia: Last year, I collaborated with the AGO Youth Council to create a series of four screenprinted posters, each an edition of 125, and they turned out so great!
AGO: What are you working on outside of FREE After Three?
Alicia: I recently put out a few new editions under my publishing imprint, Alicia's Klassic Kool Shoppe, including a book of collages and poetry with Brooke Manning, a vinyl record from Toronto's Zacht Automaat, and a new screenprint and PVC tote bag with my frequent collaborator Eunice Luk. Next month, I'll be exhibiting at the Chicago Art Book Fair.
For FREE After Three, Alicia will be hosting a paper marbling workshop on November 20 and don’t miss the screenprinting workshop on November 27. Find all of our exciting FREE After Three programs this fall here.
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