Sunday, December 08, 2024

Hi, art lovers!

(CBC)

Across the CBC network, it’s beginning to look and sound a lot like Christmas. I’m writing this from my cubicle in Toronto, and on Friday, the building was filled with holiday spirit for a day of live broadcasts. The event was part of Make the Season Kind, an annual campaign in support of Canadian food banks, which are in greater need than ever. CBC stations across the country are raising awareness for the charity drive. (Maybe you’ve seen the star-studded ad.) And if you want to get involved where you live, the website for Make the Season Kind has info on how to support food banks in your community.

While I’m loading you up with Christmas links … on CBC Gem, you can binge holiday content galore. CBC Books has gifted us with a holiday reading list. And to soundtrack your cosy night in with a stack of fresh paperbacks, there are 15 festive streams to choose from on CBC Music. They’ve got carols in every genre, and if you happen to hear “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” while streaming, Commotion has a hot take on how it’s aged.

Because we promised you eye candy ...

Emma Welch/Joys

Toronto gallery Joys is releasing a 2025 calendar featuring work by 12 artists, including Shannon Garden Smith (recently seen here). Pictured is a detail of Piles by Emma Welch. And if you happen to be in the city tonight, the gallery’s throwing a launch party at Low Bar (info here).

Laura Rokas

For a lot of people, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. Laura Rokas, however, prefers “Tour Time,” and the Canadian artist has been making salt and pepper shakers inspired by the sport. Get a closer look at these Giro d'Italia Girlies and the rest of Laura’s collection.

Emma Hole

The season of art markets keeps on keeping on, and if I could have any superpower, it would be the ability to browse a dozen church basements at once. Instead, Instagram stalking will just have to do, and out west in Edmonton, I see the OddBird Art & Craft Fair is at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre today. That’s where you’ll find Emma Hole, who’s selling stickers and prints — including this piece, Petal and Prowess.

Courtney Løberg

Also at OddBird? Illustrator Courtney Løberg. This piece, Mill Creek Guardian, is from a series called Prairie Spirits.

Carrie Allison/Iota

In Halifax, Iota has launched a line of stationary and wearables designed by artists including Jordan Bennett, Jerry Evans, Jennifer Willet and (pictured) Carrie Allison. These First Family art cards are based on Carrie’s series of the same name, which depicts medicinal plants from northern Alberta.

You've got to see this

Jan Thijs

‘Hey, have you heard of the great maple syrup heist?’

That’s the question that spawned The Sticky, a new series (very loosely) based on a true Canadian crime story.

Caleb Jones/The Associated Press

'Brain rot is Oxford's word of the year

But is it the right choice for 2024? Commotion weighs in.

Jimmy Limit

At a small art gallery in Ontario, a meteor is about to strike

An exhibition in Oakville examines the evolution of the Earth.

Follow this artist

Mathieu Labrecque

@monsieurmathieulabrecque

Mathieu Labrecque

I’m dreaming of a byte Christmas, and it’s all thanks to Mathieu. The Montreal-based illustrator created this pixel-art version of our logo.

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I’m Leah Collins, senior writer at CBC Arts. Until next time!

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