Year of EAR 2012

Elephant Artist Relief is very pleased to announce that the 2012 Year of EAR will be hosted by TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary.

The Year of EAR was initiated in 2009 by EMMEDIA followed by The New Gallery in 2011. The year of EAR is a way for organizations to recognize and support the work that Elephant Artist Relief does and to build community. By placing the spotlight on Elephant Artist Relief for one year, these organizations are showing their commitment to building and maintaining the practical support necessary to sustain health, well-being and livelihood of visual artists in Calgary. The Year of EAR promotes links between visual artists, artist-run centres and its members, and the wider Calgary community.

TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary website

Special General Meeting

A General Meeting of Elephant Artist Relief Society is called for

JANUARY 14TH 2012

1 PM

The Old Y Centre Boardroom

2nd Floor

223 12 Avenue SW

WE ASK THAT ALL MEMBERS PLEASE DO THEIR BEST TO ATTEND AS WE REQUIRE YOUR VOTES TO MAKE OUR CHARITABLE STATUS A REALITY

With respect to the pending Charitable status for Elephant Artist Relief Society, this meeting will cover the business of the following motions:

1.  MOVED by Michelle Denny, seconded by Mark Dicey: that:

ELEPHANT ARTIST RELIEF SOCIETY delete the Objectives in its “Application to Form a Society” dated June 21, 2007.  These objectives would be replaced with:


To relieve poverty by providing financial assistance to needy artists in Calgary and surrounding area.

To offer support services to needy artists through a Web-based resource centre and through the provision of workshops on mental health and wellness, and on career and financial management.

2.  MOVED by Mark Dicey, seconded by Leslie Sweder: that:

ELEPHANT ARTIST RELIEF SOCIETY replace Article 44 of its bylaws and replace it with the following:


Upon dissolution of the organization and after payments of all debts and liabilities, its remaining assets shall be distributed to one of more qualified donees described in subsection 149.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

MEMBERS ARE THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY DONATED TIME OR ARTWORK TO ELEPHANT ARTIST RELIEF AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE PURCHASED MEMBERSHIPS DIRECTLY FROM US. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS MOST IMPORTANT GENERAL MEETING AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!

Swarm results

We are very pleased to announce that this year’s fundraiser raised $19, 340!! Many, many thanks to all our artists, performers, buyers, sponsors, and volunteers who made Swarm such a success – we couldn’t have done it without you! All proceeds go to building our Relief Fund.

Conspiracy against Cancer fundraiser, October 26th

Our Outer EAR Award winner, Sharon Stevens, hosted this fundraiser with proceeds going to EAR and women facing financial hardship while under going cancer treatment. Another opportunity to show your support! The fundraiser raised $2450 and counting: you can still donate by sending a cheque to Elephant Artist Relief or making a payment through our PayPal account!

Another chance for Swarm art!

If you were unable to attend last Saturday’s fundraiser but still want an artwork and want to support Elephant Artist Relief, have we got a deal for you! There are some beautiful artworks still available from Swarm: check out the brochure! Swarm artists brochure

Please contact elephantartistrelief@gmail.com if you wish to purchase a piece.

EAR Award recipients announced!

We are pleased to announce the the EAR Award was presented to Kevin Kanashiro and Sharon Stevens at the Swarm fundraiser event! Congratulations to the winners, and many thanks to the award committee. Please see the EAR Award page for further information.

Swarmed!

Alas, another Elephant Art Relief fundraiser is done and we all had a great time! A huge Thank-you to all who attended, volunteered, sponsored, donated, and otherwise supported us in this endeavor. This celebration of our community was a success! We are still working on the numbers and will have those posted shortly….

Cash in your bottles for Elephant Artist Relief!

You can donate the proceeds of your empties to us at the Vecova Bottle Depot, 3304 33rd St. NW: Monday – Saturday, 8:30 – 6 and Sunday 10 – 5. Just mark your bags with ‘Elephant Artist Relief’ and go to the Cash desk first (do not go through the line-up) and drop off there – easy as that!

Yoga for Artists

Flamenco guitarist and yoga instructor Holly Blazina gives classes specifically designed for artists. Please see her site www.hollyblazina.com

TNG and EAR

The New Gallery has become our second ‘Year of EAR’ sponsor! Stay tuned for details of this collaboration. Visit TNG’s website for more information about Calgary’s oldest artist-run centre: www.thenewgallery.org