Taking place from July 25th to August 1st, the Emma International Collaboration is an unstructured, creative collaboration between invited artists from all over the world. Affectionately known as “Emma,” this biennial week-long residency takes place at the Ness Creek Festival Site in Northern Saskatchewan. Artists at various stages of their careers are challenged to step outside their usual art practice to explore medium, technique, and subject matter through hands on collaboration and exciting creative exchange.
Jason Ramey
jasonramey.com
jason@jasonramey.com
What is your current area of artistic interest?
I studied furniture design/wood in undergrad and I am currently interested in merging furniture with American Vernacular architectural features and details. This culminates in medium to large scale installations.
What is an an interesting or surprising aspect of yourself as an artist?
I discovered that I enjoyed objects/object making while studying Psychology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. I switched my area of focus, left Purdue and enrolled in The Herron School of Art and Design to work with Cory Robinson and Phil Tenant. At the time, I was employed at a mental hospital, working on the adult psychiatric unit and I continued to work there during my time at Herron. I would spend my “down” time on the psychiatric unit sketching furniture and sculptural objects. I have archived these and hope to finally begin digging into the content to unearth some new work.
If you could have an artistic super power, what would it be?
Instant idea generation with the snap of my fingers!
What is the biggest thrill for you as an Emma participant?
I love the people and the atmosphere created, it’s a feeling that you can’t replicate anywhere else! It’s also a joy to see the work coming out of our days spent there!
Emma Art Auctions
Ness Creek
- WHEN: Wednesday, August 1
- Invite friends on Facebook
- Live & Silent Auction: 4 – 7 pm
- WHERE: Ness Creek Festival Site, east of Big River, SK
Saskatoon
- WHEN: Thursday, August 2
- Invite friends on Facebook
- Silent Auction: 5 pm
- Live Auction: 7 pm
- WHERE: Holy Family Cathedral, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, SK
These live and silent art auctions take place at the end of Emma at the site and in Saskatoon. The auctions are fun, free, and open to the public. This could be the beginning of your art collection! See what artistic magic occurred at the week-long collaboration! Bid on sculptures, paintings, furnishings, jewellery, and wearable art created by more than 80 international, national, and local artists. Proceeds help fund the next Emma.
The Saskatoon auction will feature food by Fresh Dish Catering and a musical performance by Saskatoon local Ellen Froese.