Michael Joyal's Italy Art Adventure

Hello! ciao a tutti!

My name is Michael Joyal and I need your help. I have been a practicing artist for over twenty years. I graduated with a BFA at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 1993. Since college, I have work primarily in watercolour, collage and shadowboxes - all self taught.

I have been invited to take part in a renowned, two-week training program at the European Cultural Academy between August 7 and 21, 2017 and will join 19 of my artist-peers from around the world.  I am asking you to consider investing in me.  Your gift will help off-set the costs for this incredible opportunity. I will return to Winnipeg with a profoundly enriched set of one-of-a kind experiences and I can’t wait to share this new, incredible knowledge with the artists in Winnipeg and beyond.   But I need your help. 

 I have exhibited in solo and group shows across Canada and the United States.  My art hangs in homes and galleries in over 10 cities and three continents. Now, I have been given an incredible opportunity to take my skills and career to a larger community.

 The European Cultural Academy was created by the European Cultural Centre with the wish to share 15 years of experience in art, architecture and design. During the two weeks, we are immersed in a collaborative, creative and inspiring environment.  

Students experience the reality behind exhibitions, the Venice Biennale and curatorial practices with support from an international faculty of experts. The courses are designed to enable students to develop their own personal and professional practice in the world of arts and culture.


 Week 1
Contemporary Art

Academics, researchers and other experts from the art world present different perspectives and critical contemporary issues that confront professionals today.
- Exhibition planning: financing, design, setup
- Contemporary curatorial practices
- Working in art today: issues and realities
- Communication in art

Week 2
Venice Biennale

Get to know how national pavilions and collateral events are created as part of Venice Biennale. From the first thought until the actual building of an exhibition.  Learn the challenges that participants and curators face and what impact the participation might have on my career.

Here is a video giving a background on the ECC

 A highlight of attending the ECA would be working with guest lecturer Danielle Krysa . Danielle is the writer/curator behind the contemporary art website the Jealous Curator, and the author of Creative Block, Collage and Your Inner Critic Is a Big Jerk: And Other Truths About Being Creative. I have followed her blog  for a few years and she is highly regarded in the art world (and she is Canadian!).

Here is a webinar giving you a detailed look at the program and a chat with Danielle Krysa.

This program could be life and career-changing by opening many doors to the international art world. It could provide more opportunities to put my work in front of a potential buyers, philanthropists and curators. It could allow me to some day to live as a full-time artist.

The costs to take part in this exciting program are:
Week One tuition -          $1400
Week Two tuition -          $1400
Boarding -                             $1600
Travel -                                    $1600
Food and other costs      $1000

TOTAL:                                    $7000

To donate, click on the DONATE NOW button at the top of the page or mail your donation to Michael Joyal, 174 Market Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3B 0P8.

 To forward the campaign to a friend, use https://www.gofundme.com/mikesartadventure.

Thank you!