Artist in Residence (AiR)

Artist in Residence (AiR)

The residency program at Casa provides an opportunity for artists from across all disciplines to pursue their practice in a supportive, concentrated, community-based atmosphere. Open to artists with diverse experience levels, backgrounds and a variety of media including those in or recently graduated from undergraduate programs. 

Workshops, installations, open houses and artist talks are part of AiR community engagement program. Informal and friendly workshops allow you to create alongside artists. Open houses and artist talks with visiting artists allow for learning new perspectives and ways of seeing.  

Follow the AiR programming within the seasonal Casa Program Guide and events calendar for upcoming events.  

Who is in Residence?

Casa will be hosting artist Lucy Du as part of the Artist in Residence (AiR) program from April 1 – 29.

Artist Bio:
Lucy Du was born in China and now resides in Canada. Influenced by the fusion of diverse cultures, her artwork carries a unique traditional Chinese style. Her creations are on silk using Chinese mineral and plant pigments. Silk’s craftsmanship and soft features serve as one of her chosen mediums for expressing feminine, nuanced, and delicate emotions. Despite their cheerful tone, Lucy’s artworks resonate with deeper existential themes, exploring concepts like love and familial devotion. When presented collectively, they create an exhibition environment imbued with a sense of sentimental longing, offering viewers an emotionally rich and immersive experience. Her creations are intertwined with time, memory, and emotion, depicting objectivity through the lens of feeling rather than a direct portrayal of reality, all while maintaining a playful serenity. 

Now she is a graduate student in the Drama Department at the University of Lethbridge. As a part of her Graduate studies, she has assisted in several projects. D.I.N.E., an immersive theatrical experiment was presented last spring. In this experiment, her goal was to explore how visual elements could tell a story without relying on words. Specifically, she focused on how the selection and arrangement of objects could create an emotional and narrative environment. Her thesis show, Paradise Lost, was presented in February, in which she did the set design.

As a simultaneous film and theater scene designer, Lucy has significantly contributed to elevating the recognition and value of Chinese female artistry in art cinema. Notably, she served as the production designer for independent films, such as The Breaking Ice, directed by Anthony Chen, which was selected by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the best films of the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. This dual role explains the narrative depth present in her artwork.

Fan-tastic Art: Chinese Landscape Painting on Silk Workshop in the 2D Classroom

Wednesday, April 23 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Fan-tastic Art, invites participants to create their paradise within their hearts, by creating traditional Chinese landscape paintings on silk fans. This activity offers a moment of tranquility, as it requires deep concentration. Du will introduce the basics of traditional Chinese painting, guiding participants to familiarize themselves with materials, learn basic techniques, appreciate classic works, and practice composition to create a personal artwork. Activities are organized into structured steps: selecting elements from the Mustard Seed Garden Manual, understanding compositions, practicing typical elements, and finally painting on fans.

This event fosters a sense of community by bringing together residents of all ages to engage in a cultural and artistic experience. For Chinese children growing up in Lethbridge, it offers a heartfelt opportunity to reconnect with their heritage and language. For local residents, it’s a wonderful chance to learn about and appreciate Eastern culture, promoting understanding. By participating in this artistic endeavor, everyone can share their creativity, gain new perspectives, and strengthen community bonds through mutual appreciation and learning.

Open House in the Atrium FREE

Tuesday, April 29 from 5 pm – 7 pm