Celebrating Erika Germain: A Year of Creative Evolution at the ArtsHub McLuhan House Garage Studio

Arts Habitat Edmonton is proud to sponsor the ArtsHub McLuhan House Garage Studio Program, providing a unique opportunity for an artist or artist group to use the garage studio at no cost. Each April, a call is made to individual artists and collaborative groups in all arts disciplines to apply for the ArtsHub McLuhan House Garage Studio Program. Emphasis is placed on finding an artist or artists with a strong project proposal and good potential to succeed in producing artwork in the available space and time. The space offers the chance to foster artistic growth and engage with the community while exploring creativity with reduced financial barriers.

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt thanks to Erika Germain, the 2023/2024 garage studio resident, for her dedication to utilizing the space and inviting the Highlands community to discover and participate in her artistic journey. During her residency, Erika hosted two engaging exhibitions that welcomed the community inside the garage studio. The first exhibition, Tell Me What You’re Searching For and I’ll Help You Look, offered an interactive experience where visitors could explore themes of discovery and connection. In her second exhibition, What I Found While Searching, Erika invited attendees to delve deeper into her creative process, showcasing the evolution of her artwork and highlighting the narratives that emerged during her residency. Both exhibitions encouraged attendees to share their stories and interpretations, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that deepened connections within the community.

Erika is still actively creating and will be hosting an opening reception for The Names of Loved Ones on October 18th, 2024 at the Incubator Art Gallery in Edmonton. The Names of Loved Ones explores the same processes as her projects at the ArtsHub McLuhan House Garage Studio, specifically translation, and invites viewers to participate in collaboration and continue the ongoing exploration of the same themes about language, ritual, and exchange.

To learn more about her garage studio projects and new works, please visit www.erikagermain.com.