Casa is plotting a murder (of crows)  this weekend.

 Lethbridge artist David Dunlop’s “Plotting Murder” features a cornucopia of crows in a third of the main gallery.

 It is one of eight new exhibits opening Saturday, Jan. 28 with an opening reception from 7-9 p.m.

 

“These exhibits feature a variety of different artists from veteran artists to emerging artists,” summarized Casa curator Darcy Logan.

The main gallery  also features  Adrian Cook’s  “Wood Works” and Julie Duschenes’ “Pack Ice.” 

 

 Myken McDowell’s “Space Talk” is in  the project space. Jordan Mudrack’s  WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) is in the Passage Gallery. Jessica Colley’s “the weight’ is in the Platform Gallery.

 

Upstairs  focuses on Blackfoot artists. John Calf Chief’s  “Past Present and Friendship” is in the concourse gallery. 

And Hali Heavy Shield’s  “Postcards from the Rez” is in the Saokitapi Gallery.

 

“ David Dunlop has curated a murder of crows in the gallery no matter what perspective you’re looking at , ”Logan said “ he’s explored the folklore and  and symbolism of crows through paintings, drawings and  sculpture,” he continued.

 

Julie Duschenes was inspired by the river bottom for her exhibit “ Black Ice.”

 

“She has text, drawings and paintings inspired by  exploring the  river bottom during spring break up,” Logan said.

 Veteran artist  Adrian Cook’ “Wood Works”  is also in the main gallery.

“It is a mini retrospective sampling of  his works from over the past 40 years. He’s been a long standing member of the Lethbridge arts community,” Logan said, adding he has a well known international reputation.

 

 Myken McDowell’s “Space Talk” is in the project space next to the entry of the main gallery.

 

“ Myken has a really interesting process. She took video of abandoned farm houses and takes still frames from the video and  uses them to createcopper plate etchings. So they have a really grainy , distressed quality you don’t find in film,” said Logan noting she was Casa’s artist in residence two years ago.

 

Casa has dedicated the platform gallery next to the meeting room on the main floor to University of Lethbridge artists.

 

“Jessica Colley’s “ the weight is” featured in that display case.

 

“People use weighted blankets for anxiety. She created a weighted blanket out of cloth face masks. She will be at the opening reception to invite people to feel it,” Logan said. There are also two  self portraits of Colley with the blanket.

 

The upstairs galleries are dedicated  for Blackfoot artists.

 John Chief Calf’s “Past Present and Friendship is in the Concourse Gallery.

“ He has a fabulous series of paintings and watercolours reflecting the dreams and visions John has of the world,” Logan said.

Also upstairs in the Saokitapi Gallery, Hali Heavy Shields’ “ Postcards from the Rez.” features just that, postcards from the res.

 

The last exhibit is in the Passage Gallery on the way into the building.

Jordan Mudrack’s  WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)  features a series of photos that look like Rorschach ink  blot tests, though they haven't been digitally altered.

“Jordan made prints of photographs and dipped them in  in different coloured inks and used different lights, ” Logan said.

The opening reception is 7-9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28. They run until March 25. There is no admission to see the  exhibits.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor