By Karen Cay

Urbanisms II and Two Story Cafe rock the Mann Art Gallery

Sep 30, 2011 | 10:23 AM

The stereotype of the austere and reverent gallery was blown apart Thursday night at the Mann Art Gallery with the roaring heavy metal sound of Mares of Thrace, a head thrashing group of patrons, graffiti art, traditional jigging and a performance at the riverbank.

The opening of Urbanisms II by the Uber Gurlz and the first night of the Two Story Café, hosted by the Indigenous Peoples Artist Collective (IPAC), challenged ideas of what art is and highlighted the contemporary work of women and First Nations artists.

“Uber Gurlz is a project that has been ongoing for a few years, created by Common Weal and IPAC,” said Judy McNaughton of Common Weal, an organization that supports arts project.

“Uber Gurlz is an ongoing Monday night open studio at the Prince Albert Arts Centre for young women, ages 15 and up, who want to develop their own artistic practice with the guidance of professional artists,” she said. McNaughton co-curated Urbanisms II with her husband, Michel Boutin.

Urbanisms II is the second show by the Uber Gurlz, which is devoted to urban art forms and contemporary social and political issues.

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The Two Story Café is a yearly event, hosted by the IPAC – a group of contemporary First Nations artists. In its fifth year, the three-day event continues to push the boundaries of how First Nations artists, living in contemporary society, challenge stereotypes of who they should be as citizens and as artists.

Thursday night opened with performances by Tanya Lukin Linklater, circuit bender Leanne Berger, V.J. Carrie Gates, The Prince Albert Women of the Earth Female Jiggers and Calgary based metal duet Mares of Thrace.

Urbanisms II will continue to be on display at the Mann Gallery in the Rawlinson Centre. The Two Storey Café will move over to the studio of the Prince Albert Arts Centre, 1010 Central Avenue, for Friday and Saturday’s performances.

Friday night IPAC presents the performance art work of John McDonald and musical performances by Cathleen Lesperance and Violet Naytowhow, while Saturday will feature the performance art work of Terrance Houle, a video screening by Mike Farnan and the Métis fiddling of Dallas and Phil Boyer with a second guest appearance by The Prince Albert Women of the Earth Jiggers.

The exhibiting artists at the Prince Albert Arts Centre are Tim Moore, John McDonald, Leah Dorian, Michel Boutin and Jodi Ross.

Sound for all three nights is by Many Worlds Music.

For more information on Common Weal and Indigenous Peoples Artist Collective, go to Community Group News.

For more photos from the event: Urbanisms II by the Uber Gurlz

kcay@panow.com