Aanikoobijganag: Thunder Bay Beading Symposium Wins Award for Public Programming During Galleries Ontario 47th Annual Awards

December 9, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: December 3, 2024
SUBJECT: Aanikoobijganag: Thunder Bay Beading Symposium Wins Award for Public Programming During Galleries Ontario 47th Annual Awards
WHERE: Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Anemki Collective, and Co. Lab Gallery & Arts Centre are excited to share that on Tuesday 3, December, Galleries Ontario recognized Aanikoobijganag: Thunder Bay Beading Symposium with their Public Program Award during their 47th Annual GOG Awards.

The receipt of this award emphasizes the meaningful impact that the Thunder Bay Art Gallery makes as an institution, and to the increasing prominence of the Northern artist community we serve.

Anemki Collective Co-Founder Jean Marshall, spoke on behalf of the group, “The Anemki Art Collective is grateful to receive this award. Aanikoobijiganag was an amazing gathering and it took a community to make it happen. Exploring the materiality of beads led to empowering discussions and conversations. This acknowledgment is much appreciated as we work hard to create meaningful relations in our community.“

February 2024 saw the Gallery’s first annual Aanikoobijganag: Thunder Bay Beading Symposium, the first ever beading symposium hosted in Thunder Bay. This symposium was organized in a collaboration between the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and Anemki Art Collective. Aanikoobijiganag celebrates the importance of beading practices and brings together the flourishing beading community from the region in and around Northern Ontario.

Organized to coincide with the exhibition Radical Stitch, (currated by the MacKenzie Art Gallery) this three day event allowed participants to take part in workshops, public events, and artist talks lead by experienced and renowned beaders, artists, and crafters from across the region.

Aanikoobijiganag will make its return in October 2025. The second Aanikoobijiganag: Thunder Bay Beading Symposium is supported in part by the Ontario Arts Council, and the Government of Ontario.

For more information, images and interview availability please contact:

Bob Gravelle
Marcoms Coordinator
(807) 577-6427
communications@theag.ca

Image 1: A group photo of participants at the end of day 3 of Aanikoobijiganag: Thunder Bay Beading Symposium

Image 2: Aanikoobijiganag participants enjoying a communal beading session. Photo by Chondon Photography

Image 3: Photo of artist, Katie Longboat, working on beading during Aanikoobijiganag. Photo by Chondon Photography

Image 4: Linda Grussani attending a birchbark basketry workshop during day 2 of Aanikoobijiganag. Photo by Chondon Photography

Image 5: Artist Jean Marshal on day 1 of Aanikoobijiganag. Photo by Chondon Photography