ARTCON was our first globally accessible student driven
conference for creative people everywhere -
we need community now more than ever
ARTCON took place June 22-26 2021
but many session can be found on our YouTube Channel:
ESA Contemporary Art
Session 1 - June 22nd-
The first session at ARTCON 2021 will consist of a series of six discussions held throughout the day. They are as follows:
10 AM EST: HOW ART IMPACTS DAILY LIFE
Grade 12 student Ruby Robertson discusses the practical and daily implications of art, as well as the importance of art in building community.
11 AM EST: THE VALUE OF RESEARCH IN CREATIVE PRACTICE
Doing research for your art can be difficult and daunting. But it doesn’t have to be! Grade 11 student William Bastianon, will share his research process that helps him consume art and information in a sustainable way that is both fulfilling, entertaining, and which can better shape one's artistic process.
Find him on Instagram @operationclara
1 PM EST: AN INTRO TO CHARACTER DESIGN
Get a demo presentation about digital character design by grade 12’s Kate Snider and Cole Canning. Both have spent their time at ESA specializing in narrative artwork and can’t wait to share it! See more of their work on Instagram
@coleore on Instagram and at coleore.com
5PM: HOW TO APPLY TO ESACA
Informational session about the Contemporary Art program at Etobicoke School of the Arts. We will guide you through all steps required in order to become a Contemporary Arts Major, including the application process, as well as how to prepare a portfolio! Along with answering some frequently asked questions. Hosted by a group of fantastic ESACA grade 11’s.
See more from them on Instagram @esa.contemporary.art2022
7PM EST: STAYING CREATIVE DURING QUARANTINE
Grade 10 Jane Forrest will host a discussion surrounding what can motivate us during quarantine, as well as the true ups and downs of art making during this troubling time. The discussion will also focus on how productiveness, vulnerability and support, especially during COVID is significant, and how we can use lockdown to make us better artists!
Find Jane on Instagram @janes.art and more work on her website janeforrest.com
8:30 PM EST: WRITING AND ITS RELATION TO ARTMAKING
Grade 12 multimedia artist and poet Abby Brock on the significance of writing, and its nuanced relationship to one’s artistic practice.
See more of her work on Instagram @abbybrock or on her site abbynoelbrock.com
Session 2 - June 23rd
7PM EST: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN DIVERSE FIELDS
Join ESACA graduates following non-art education and career pathways discussing how creativity, community, and an artistic practice can amplify disciplines such as cognitive science, astrophysics, engineering, neuroscience and mathematics. Hosted by Rivka Mitchell who earned her undergraduate and masters degrees in Mathematics at McGill University.
Panelists include Taima Humbert, Olivia Kerr, Hana Brath, Adam Badzynski, Shane Ackerley, Jordan Clarke, Stella Woods and Dorina Sim
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Session 3 - June 24th
7PM EST: POSITIVE VALUE OF COMMUNITY IN ART AND LIFE
WATCH SESSION 3 BY CLICKING HERE
Host by artist, author and ESACA graduate Luca Soldovieri. ESACA grads discuss the significance of community, vulnerability, empathy and love in all of life’s endeavors, as well as how we can use community to reshape who we are as individuals and what we can look forward to regarding the future of art!.
Panelists include artists Parker Lily Tuson-Morse, Vivian Tran, Sophia Oppel, Sadie Philipson,
Claire Calderwood, Spencer Julien, Juliet DiCarlo and Dexter Barker Glenn
Follow Luca on Instagram @luca.soldovieri
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Session 4 - June 25th
4PM EST: A TALK WITH STEPHANIE CRISTELLO
International curator, writer, artistic director of Expo Chicago and Chicago Manual Style, Stephanie Cristello talks with grade 11’s Amnna Attia and Dessa Ely.
Check them out on Instagram: @scristello, @amnna.attia, @dessa.ely
6PM EST: STEPHANIE CRISTELLO AND BRENDAN FERNANDES
WATCH THIS INSPIRING SESSION HERE
Stephanie Cristello interviews Canadian contemporary artist Brendan Fernandes about his stunning work that discusses issues of race, queer culture, migration, and cultural displacement through visual art and dance.
See more from Brendan on Instagram @brendanfernandes and at brendanfernandes.ca
8PM EST: AN INTERVIEW WITH SASHA SUDA
Director of the National Gallery of Canada Sasha Suda in conversation with grade 12 students
Sadie Withers, Isabella Deiulis, and Andrew Conway.
Find Sasha on Instagram @sasha.suda
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Session 5 - June 26th
6.30 PM EST: ART TALK 14
AVAILABLE AT ESACA’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Join us for the 14th edition of ESACA’s Art Talk with virtual video talks by grade 10-12 students premiering live at 6pm on our Youtube Channel ESA Contemporary Art
See more work from current ESACA Students and grads @esa_contemporary_art and @esa_contemporary_photography on Instagram
