Marilyn Joy Turnley

WHO: Marilyn Joy Turnley, consultant and acting manager of the Public Health Agency of Canada. WHERE: At home. CLOTHES: Black long-sleeved Esprit shirt, $11, Rhoda’s (3839 Albert St.); French Dressing jean skirt and belt, $60 and $25, Winners (Montreal). FOOTWEAR: Black knee-high boots, $100, Winners (2135 Prince of Wales Dr.) ACCESSORIES: Bracelet, a gift from her sons; Maria Hendrick stone wench necklace; shawl was a gift from artist Rainie Evans; silver hoop earrings, Winners in Winnipeg. HAIR: Lisa Buteau, works from home.

Marilyn moved into her Cathedral home about eight years ago, and with her passion for fusing art and community quickly became involved with the Cathedral Arts Festival and the Cathedral Area Community Association. In her professional life, she works with vulnerable people and bringing healing to communities. When you combine her professional work, the Cathedral community family and her three kids, Marilyn, as her mom would say, is “blessed with the abundance of the joy, art and creativity of every day.” She’s also been blessed with minor fame, as her eclectic home has been profiled on the CBC lifestyle/design program Stephen & Chris.

You have had a few television camera crews visit your home because of its creativity. How did it all come about? When I moved into this house, I set out to make it out to be a happy place. I didn’t have much experience with decorating and painting but was taught by a loyal group of friends. And this home has become an opportunity for those who might not have that ability in their own space, for example to write on walls and try different paint colors. This was kind of my mid-life crisis — going wild with the paint colours and glue guns!

Do your kids enjoy the house? My kids have come to terms with “Mother’s projects.” Once in a while they will say “NO Mom!” But they saw the episode on Steven and Chris — which I was hesitant to do because [the show is usually about] upscale Toronto lofts — by Chris starting the segment saying that this was his favourite house on “House Proud” ever. Whatever tendency towards embarrassment or thinking ‘Mom’s a little strange’ went out the window, and it was OK to think outside the box.

What is your favourite piece in your home? Probably the baby pictures of each of my kids. I also love the artwork I have from Jana Kutarna that was used for the Cathedral Village Art Festival, as well as from other Regina artists.

How would you describe the style of your home, compared to your own style? My home is “down home comfort,” with much of my furniture from second-hand shops. And my style is very basic, with punches of colour!

What is your favorite colour? Sky blue pink!

Interview and photography by Carey Shaw for prairie dog.

Sâkêwêwak Storytellers Festival

Sâkêwêwak Artists’ Collective, Regina’s premier presenter of contemporary Aboriginal art, is pleased to announce the 2009 Sâkêwêwak Storytellers Festival.

First held in 2001 as the Distinguished Storytellers Series, the Sâkêwêwak Storytellers Festival has evolved into an annual multidisciplinary festival that presents a diverse array of renowned storytellers, artists, and academics from around the world, who engage our audiences in contemporary cultural expression, thought and dialogue derived from our oral traditions.

Opening the festival on the 18th of March at 8 PM at New Dance Horizons (2207 Harvey Street) is our music and spoken word event featuring local artists Ramses Calderon, Gabriel Yahyahkeekoot and others. On the 19th, we are pleased to present two brand new performance works – The Rebirthing Project by Cecile Brass, and Apple by Simon Moccasin. Both performances take place at New Dance Horizons, starting at 8 PM. Admission is free for all events on the 18th-19th.

Friday, March 20th features Picimawak - an evening of words and rhythm in a gathering of contemporary criers from the global camp brought together by festival music director Eekwol. Hear the true voices of well-known Indigenous rappers and poets from each of the four directions, including Urban Buffaloes (Hobbema First Nation/Vancouver BC), Skeena Reece (Vancouver BC), Wab Kinew (Winnipeg MB), and El Vuh (Los Angeles USA). The event begins at 7:30 PM at Reid Auditorium – Scott Collegiate. Suggested donation of $5.00.

Saturday March 21st features features My Life is My Sundance, a play based on the book of the same name written by Leonard Peltier, with Harvey Arden. The play begins at 7:30 PM at Reid Auditorium – Scott Collegiate. Suggested donation of $5.00.

Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd feature day sessions held from 10 AM – 5 PM at the Regina Inn – Kenosee Room (1975 Broad Street). These day sessions feature presentations and roundtable discussions from our community’s most respected storytellers, traditional knowledge keepers, artists, activists and academics. Organized by Edward Poitras and Robin Brass. Admission for the weekend day sessions is free and lunch is provided.

For more detailed information – contact Elwood Jimmy at 780-9485 or Beverly Andrews at 780-9493 OR check out www.myspace.com/sakewewak, or our Facebook page. Both web pages will be updated daily leading up to the festival.

My new favorite things.

I recently bought some new art.

Every day when I walk by them, I smile, and do a little happy dance.

I love them.

And now I am going to share my love. Check out their Etsy shops for all their goodness.

enjoy xo
carey








Michele Maule

















Sharon Montrose

Alicia Bock

Teeny tiny knits

My friend Danielle told me about this video she found about little itty bitty knits. And by little itty bitty...I mean VERY litte itty bitty.

Check it out - Althea Crome talking about the sweaters she knit for the movie Coraline.

Amazing. I feel arthritis coming on just by watching it.

enjoy xo carey

Bazaart!

So, I am doing Bazaart this year. And you should too!

The MacKenzie Art Gallery is looking for new vendors this year. If you are an artisan and looking for a new way to get your name out there, and make some moola, this show and sale is the perfect opportunity. They have some cool new plans for this year, and it looks like it will be a pretty busy event.

You can find out more about Bazaart, or to download the application form here. Deadline is March 20th, so don't procrastinate for too long.

As for me, I will be busy sewing and mod podging for the next 4 months. Wish me luck!

carey xo

Leif and The Professor

WHO: Leif Thorseth and The Professor, Leif is an artist (music and film) WHERE: At home. CLOTHES: Green jacket, $24, Winners; grey zip up, $45, American Apparel; plaid shirt, $11, Old Navy; Gant jeans, $35,Winners. ACCESSORIES: Hand-knit mittens by Auntie Claire; pin was gift from his wife. HAIR: Fran Gilboy.

If you are a fan of the 13^th Avenue Coffee house, Leif just may have served you your Saturday afternoon cup of jo. When not working, he has been playing with Rah Rah, and is looking forward to hitting the road with the band in May to tour Canada. In the mean time, and when this hits the news stands, he will be enjoying February in a Trinidad beach house with his wife Ali and her family, while celebrating their grandfather's 90^th birthday.

Tell me about The Professor. Well, Ali (his wife) didn't want a cat for a while since she used to be allergic, so every night I would set up the laptop and YouTube “baby kittens.” And Ali would be falling asleep saying “They are so cute!”. And then one day when I was working on Corner Gas, I need to go and look for certain things and I had to go to Victoria Vet. I saw this kitten, who had a broken leg, and fell in love with him in a second. Ali met him and thought he was awesome. We have had him ever since, and he has grown on us dramatically. He just jumps on my back and hangs out.

Anything in your closet that you will never throw out? I have a plaid shirt that I really like. Ali and I were walking on Canada Day about five years ago and I got it at Uforia. It is Spiderman colours. If I stay the same size, I will probably wear it till I die.

How would you describe your style? Awesome. No, but for real, I think I have grown into my own style. It is not going to change. I was wearing the same thing, cords and plaid shirts, when I was six years old. I like jeans, plaid shirt, toque, scarf and a nice pair of mittens. And I do really like shoes. I buy a pair of checkered Vans about every two months.

Into anything new lately? I like a really bad show right now, called Angel. It has everything you need. A universe that is unreal, but they don't break the principles of the universe. It is totally like Star Trek but campier. There is love and love triangles and it is funny.

Music you are listening to right now? I like Michael Gardiner's music and I am really into Q-Tip right now.

Any past band you wish you could have been part of? Fugazi in '89!