From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Nostalgia colours tributes as Canadians pay homage to QueenMother» Manitoba nurses reach deal with government after intense last-minute talks» Anti-poverty groups take their protest to front of B.C. premier’s home Date : Mon, 01 Apr 2002 23:24:56 -0400
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Am in a rush. Have been at work and away from home too long today. Karina impatient. It was pouring rain this morning. My bus pass has run out. Sorted all the submissions and cleaned the office. Peter came to work on the ad for the Coast. After he took it there it turned out we had the orientation wrong. Have to fix it in the morning. Did lighting in the gallery for the ‘Open art show’. Ryan was married in the Ballroom this afternoon. Got soaked on my way up to Dan’s house for an ‘in camera’ board meeting to discuss the tenancy issues. Ate a falafel sandwich at Charlie’s club afterwards. Checked my email. Now I have to have a shower and blow the smell of cigarettes off me. Need to spend some quality time with Karina. Relationship in jeopardy due to lack of communication and time spent together.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Ontario Premier Mike Harris quits politics after more than 20years» Crown adds three more murder charges against pig farmer in missing women case» Ontario girl, 10, dies in hospital after fall through ice in bid to savedog
Date : Wed, 03 Apr 2002 00:22:59 -0400
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Karina was up shortly past 5am this morning to continue studying for an exam. I slept fitfully. Caught the bus before nine to go to work but when I got downtown realized that I had left my keys at home. The building was locked. I called Karina from the Med and met her at the NSCAD library. Met Peter at 10am to finish the first Gala ad for the Coast. I can’t believe that the Gala is in less than 3 weeks. Where has all the time gone?
Was checking the email a lot today; there has been a lot of back and forth regarding the arts council. It is really heating up. Though on the surface there may appear to be little in common with the dismantling of NSAC and other events happening around the world, including the Middle East, I think that there are fundamental concerns being trampled. It is about foolish men in positions of power that may have to make difficult decisions from time to time, but for the most part make bad decisions based on their own shallow self-interests. Granted, no one is at risk of dying as a result of NSAC, but it is the casual and subtle erosion of such rights and freedoms which we must guard against.
It was a busy day today. Am working on press releases, invitations, more planning for the Gala. There are big renovations and cleanups to orchestrate for this upcoming weekend. Ray came by and helped take the sander back. It cost over $100 because I had it out for 3 days. Dropped the employment grant forms in the mail. Put my package to Luis in the mail today as well.
Went to the openings at the Anna tonight. The Design Honours Program had a nice show of work in Gallery 1, all to do with the theme of air travel amjd transportation. Crystal Mowry has a great show of small-scale, labour-intensive dog kennels in Gallery 2. I handed out SOAC literature.
Stephen Moore, one of the Club bartenders, was giving a presentation of his work tonight. His work exudes a palpable love and respect for his subjects. Afterwards I talked to Jason about organizing the video montage for the night of the Gala.
Karina and I stuffed requests for artwork into all the graduating students mailboxes before walking home together. We are both getting out of shape due to lack of exercise and poor diets. Even after talking about it we stopped at Korka Pizza and she bought a chicken burger and we shared fries and garlic bread when we got home. Watched the National, dozed off during the 11 o’clock version, then watched a bit o Zed. There was a small feature on the Bathroom Gallery. The host this week is the best so far, but the show still has a way to go.
Have to go into work really early tomorrow and prepare some financial information for Peter. I have been compiling a list of questions to ask him regarding the Accounting program. The year-end books and the outstanding NSAC final reports are weighing down on my head almost as much as the upcoming Gala.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Tory-DRC agree to continue co-operation, want talks with Alliance’s Harper» Federal cabinet not split on global warming accord, says environment minister» Ontario’s Harris ends 21-year career, but successor Eves wants different seat
Date : Wed, 03 Apr 2002 23:19:44 -0400
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
The alarm didn’t go off after I hit the snooze, so I was almost late for my meeting with Peter, our Accountant. I rushed off to work and set about entering the last of the outstanding data, but Peter never showed. When I called his office he was busy with a client. We spoke off and on throughout the day and made plans to sit down together next week. Dave from his office walked me through the rollover so I can still process payroll.
Finished Joel and Tricia’s invitation. Peter B. came in to work on the poster but he is having trouble with Illustrator. The handbills will be printed today; we’ll get them tomorrow after they dry. Dan came in to help with the Press Release. He is coming in tomorrow to add postal codes to a lot of the addresses of our social members. Finalized the details of our Daily News ads. The first Coast ad runs tomorrow. Filled out a credit application with instructor Aids, and ordered an Epson Powerlite projector. Ran into Pat and Margaret and Peter from NSAC at Mokka. They seem to be taking everything in stride, though a justifiable air of anger seemed to emanate from them. They are being kept on to help with the ‘transition’. I received a transcript of dialogue between Robert Chilsolm and Rodney MacDonald from the Legislature yesterday. Leah called me and gave me the name of a woman at Eastlink Cable who wants to interview an artist; I am going to do it tomorrow afternoon. Hope I have clean clothes to wear. Should try to recite some info to myself; maybe prepare something. I don’t want to appear like a Bradley.
Karina came to meet me for supper. She saw the ad on TV just before she left. We ate at the Med with Lucas. There was a KDMC Board meeting scheduled for tonight that nobody came to, save Scott and Jacob, and they came because I talked to them both earlier in the day. I had forgotten to send out an email notice. I had also neglected to make an agenda. I have also lost the minutes of the last meeting. This is why board members should be doing this stuff. Mathew was supposed to meet Lucas and I in advance of the meeting to discuss Lucas’ job, but he didn’t show either.
We met Janet and Ryan at the Med and they reminded us of the NSCAD Wearable Art Show tonight at Reflections, so we bought tickets and went. Like last year, it went really quickly; many of the models whip through the runway like they are a plane taking off. Zoom, and they are gone. Sarah Cale did a great ‘baby’ act with a feather pillow and a diaper.
Came home and watched the National. Depressing.
Have a gala meeting tomorrow night, finances and advance notices to finish tomorrow, and paint supplies to organize for pickup on Friday. Have a headache and my neck is stiff.
-chris
From: chris lloyd <clloyd@khyberarts.ns.ca>
Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 00:11:44 -0300
To: “Hon. Rodney MacDonald” <MACDONR@gov.ns.ca>
Cc: jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>, herald classified <letters@herald.ns.ca>, premier john hamm <premier@gov.ns.ca>, <talkback@cbc.ca>, <infomorning@cbc.ca>, jane purves <purvesja@gov.ns.ca>, kyle shaw <kyles@thecoast.ns.ca>
Bcc: khyber executive board
Subject: Proposed Arts and Culture Council is not arms-length
April 8, 2002
Dear Mr. MacDonald,
I am writing to express my dismay and frustration with your abrupt dismantling of the Nova Scotia Arts Council. I do not agree with your heavy-handed tactics nor with the structure of the new arts and culture council you propose. It is not an arms-length agency and thus it has little in common with the NSAC or the Canada Council for the Arts. The arms-length model is the standard that artists in Nova Scotia struggled for twenty years to achieve. It is a transparent process which awards grants based on artistic excellence, free from government interference or influence. The model you propose, one that “will better serve the broader needs of government” is an embarrassment for all Nova Scotians who believe in a rich quality of life that includes freedom of expression. I believe your assertion that “administrative savings … will go directly to artists and cultural organizations” is misleading, as the current programs administered by NSAC will be transferred to the Culture Division and only increase the workload of culture division members. Or will the new Arts and Culture Council administer itself for free?
Also, part XV of the Financial Measures (2002) Act, Clauses 41 to 44, regarding the NSAC (introduced in the Legislature April 6) disgusts me even further. For the past five years cultural groups and individuals have contributed to the NSAC endowment fund, and this year would have matched the initial investment of $500,000. According to Clause 42(2) this money will be made available for the government to dole out as it sees fit. Citizens in Nova Scotia contributed to this fund with the understanding that NSAC would be responsible for it; not the government.
I wish for you to publicly apologize for this gross error in judgment and reinstate the Nova Scotia Arts Council as an arms-length Crown Agency, and to increase its budgetary allowance to $1.5 million (making up for the almost $300,000 in cuts over the past three years). Let us quickly shut the door on this messy display of democratic and artistic ignorance; the Province is beginning to stink.
Sincerely.
Chris Lloyd
Administrative Director
Khyber Centre for the Arts
1588 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS B3J 1Z6
902.422.9668
From: chris lloyd <clloyd@khyberarts.ns.ca>
To: <letters@theglobeandmail.ca>, herald classified <letters@herald.ns.ca>, daily news editorials <letterstoeditor@hfxnews.southam.ca>, cbc arts today <artstoday@toronto.cbc.ca>, information morning <infomorning@halifax.cbc.ca>, jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Date: Wednesday, 10 April, 2002 12:54 am
Subject: FW: Nova Scotia Arts Council
———-
From: chris lloyd <clloyd@khyberarts.ns.ca>
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 00:40:37 -0300
To: <premier@gov.ns.ca>
Subject: Nova Scotia Arts Council
Dear Mr. Hamm,
I am writing to you as a practicing visual artist and current arts administrator. I moved to Nova Scotia from New Brunswick seven years ago to attend the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. I graduated from NSCAD with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Practices in 1999 and decided to stay in Halifax and continue to develop my art practice, which consists primarily of painted portraits and various forms of mail art. For the first year after graduation I worked as an interior house painter, storefront display and special events decorator and made some commissioned artwork. I also took part in some arts events and exhibitions in NB.
In June 2000 I applied for a Nova Scotia Arts Council grant, but was declined. I didn’t really think much of it at the time; I figured I would apply again in the future.
In January 2001 I began work as the Interim Administrative Director for the Khyber Centre for the Arts, and my studio practice took a back seat to the administrative duties of running a perpetually under-funded, yet ambitious and vibrant artist-run centre. Instead of writing individual grants, my focus turned to NSAC grants for organizations. The Khyber does not receive any provincial sustainability funding whatsoever; this despite the fact that earlier members of the organization had successfully negotiated a five-year lease with HRM regarding the Khyber Building and the Khyber was recognized Nationally for the quality of its programming by the Canada Council for the Arts. Provincial funding cuts to NSAC ensured that they could not afford to provide sustainability funding to new organizations such as the Khyber, so we busied ourselves instead writing grants to assist us in mounting specific exhibitions or projects. Various NSAC project and professional development grants have enabled the Khyber to produce catalogues of past exhibitions, develop a media production facility and establish a curatorial residency program. Now, with the senseless destruction of the NSAC, many of the quality projects the Khyber has envisioned are at risk.
I am writing to you because as a member of this government you can have a say in the direction of arts funding in this province. Rodney MacDonald says the replacement Arts and Culture Council is modeled after the principles of NSAC, but this is not the case. The Nova Scotia Arts Council is am arms-length agency which itself is modeled upon agencies such as the Canada Council for the Arts. Having an organization whose sole purpose is to foster excellence in the Arts and which operates at arms-length from government does not make it less accountable; on the contrary, the process of awarding grants based on peer assessment is very transparent and open. Operating at arms-length from government simply ensures that political interference is avoided, or at least significantly reduced. The same can not be said for the Arts and Culture Council Mr. MacDonald has proposed which, in his own words, will “serve the broader objectives of government”.
The NS Arts community had struggled for years to achieve an arms-length arts council, and after Nova Scotia became the last province in Canada to get one, we are now saddled with the uncomfortable and embarrassing privilege of being the first to kill one. I urge you, as a duly elected member of the Legislative Assembly, to do anything you can to retain the Nova Scotia Arts Council as a legislated arms-length agency.
I didn’t move to Nova Scotia to live in a province that wants to be the laughingstock of the country. I stayed here after finishing school because of the quality of life, which for me included a vibrant arts community. Organizations like the Khyber provide many resources and opportunities for young artists to stay in this province, though many do leave. There are far greener pastures out there; in my short time here I have met young artists who have all since moved on to New York, LA, London, Tokyo, Montréal, Ottawa and Winnipeg, just to name a few. By taking such backwards steps regarding funding to the Arts in Nova Scotia, this government is at serious risk of embarrassing a generation into moving away.
I would love to provide you with more examples of Khyber programming and other reasons why I feel the decisions made by Mr. MacDonald regarding the NSAC are hurtful to all citizens of Nova Scotia, as well as the arts community. Simply contact me via email or call 422-9668, or stop by the Khyber at 1588 Barrington Street. My office is on the second floor. Thank-you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Chris Lloyd
Administrative Director
Khyber Centre for the Arts
1588 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS B3J 1Z6
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Harper wins battle for dissident MPs as 6 return to Alliance fold» Collapse of Tory coalition has some MPs pointing to summer leadership review» Island woman guilty of injecting grandson with near-lethal dose of insulin
Date : Wed, 10 Apr 2002 23:08:35 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Just got off the phone with Andrew. I am going on his radio show tomorrow morning to discuss the Khyber Gala, the Khyber in general and also the Nova Scotia Arts Council. It should be fun.
Trevor called me at work today to say that Poppy was in town and wanted to meet us for lunch. I met them at Trevor’s office lobby and Poppy took us to one of those restaurants in the Brewery Market. I had fishcakes and salad; they were out of homemade beans. Poppy brought up the issue of NSAC but he compared arts funding to health funding; a typical government smokescreen. We didn’t talk about it much after that.
While at the Market I remembered that we had left the Khyber red chairs there from the Mugshots fundraisers a few weeks back. Luckily they fit in Poppy’s trunk. He took us to his condo to show us the new weight room. He has been renting the condo out for years to a manager of Wood Gundy. It was an interesting excursion from my daily routines. I took Poppy into the Khyber and he remembered playing snooker there, many years ago when it was still run by the Church of England Institute.
The posters have been delayed due to technical problems. First it was just the film, but today it was the yellow colour ink on the red poster; too faint! We decided on a red stripe and “K” and a knockout “fool-hearted gala” text. Peter was also able to add a phone number and the host to the poster. Should be ready tomorrow; the fingers are crossed.
Sat in on a Silent Auction Committee meeting. I think the event will go smoother this year than the past two. Now the worry is that we won’t have enough work coming in.
Spent a lot of time emailing MLA’s again tonight, and reading text from the daily debates in the legislature. I find them fascinating, in a sort of perverse, soap-opera sort of way.
But bad news: I sense a bad head cold coming on. This will be the first time I will be sick this winter, I think. The timing couldn’t be worse. I’m off to swallow some echinacia.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Retired air force sergeant won’t face retrial for refusing anthrax vaccine» Alberta finance minister apologizes for ‘pedophile priest’ remark» Girl bullies can be tougher than boys, says classmate of dead NS teen
Date : Sat, 13 Apr 2002 00:39:06 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
It took longer than I had thought it would to paint the floor in the Turret, I had actually hoped to do it sometime this afternoon but didn’t even get around to it until past six. Spent a lot of time in the afternoon running around; getting paper, printing invitations for the preview, dropping off letters, cutting wood for the ‘gravity lock’ for hanging Adel’s paintings and talked to Mathew while at the woodshop. It was a nice sunny day today,
so I walked to work this morning, and put up a few of the gala posters along the way. Still had trouble getting people to commit to postering. I think with today being the last day for NSCAD students the majority of them had other things on their mind. I kept getting answering machines when I called people.
Had am email reply from Jane Purves today that clearly showed that she wasn’t even reading my letters; she just sent the gov’t press release. Rodney issued a new press release today outlining the people who are heading up his new arts and culture division. The SOAC campaign also issued new press releases today, and we are also planning a rally for next Thursday. I am still getting lots of email in support of NSAC, and the majority are stunned the gov’t would even attempt such a thing. I can only shake my head in disbelief, and keep trying to keep the pressure on them.
I am worried that there won’t be enough art in the auction, even though there was more work that came in today. I made a few more phone calls but everyone seems really busy and unaware that time is running short. I can’t believe the event is next week. I am feeling more and more unprepared.
Had a piece of pizza from Venus tonight after cleaning up the Turret room. Brought a salad from home to eat for lunch. Bought an oat cake from Mokka; the dipped chocolate section is getting smaller and smaller.
Judy and Robyn arrive tomorrow. I am hoping we can go for a ‘drive’ to put up a bunch of the posters. I seem to recall doing that with her a few nights before the ‘art on the edge’ festival in Saint John a couple years ago.
Karina is cleaning the apartment, but am too drained and feeling wonky from the paint fumes to help at this point. Rebecca just came home from a five-hour crit. She and Andrew and I think maybe even Courtney are all in bed at this point, so it is hard to keep cleaning without disturbing them. It is not good roommate etiquette to vacuum at this hour.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Six women allegedly murdered led lives of desperation and disappointment» Saskatchewan aboriginal justice commission begins hearings this week» Two snowboarders killed, one injured after avalanche in Alberta Rockies
Date : Sun, 14 Apr 2002 23:29:46 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
The installation is going slowly, but at least there is more work in the gallery than we had at first feared. There is debate as to the quality of the work, but overall I am happy with what has come in. There should be a fair bit to come in tomorrow and the days following as well.
It was tricky getting everyone up and out the door this morning. Robyn was really grouchy and crabby; he was up way too late last night. We drove to Peggy’s Cove in the pouring rain, arriving almost an hour later than I had told Paul, but everyone at the Bed and Breakfast were just getting up as well. Janet, Lucas, Ryan, Melanie, Andrew and Nicole were there, as well as a few people I didn’t know, Kevin and Erin. We had crepes which Paul had made. We brought oranges to split with everyone. We left soon after eating, as Robyn was getting grouchy again and a new wave of eaters had shown up.
Spent the day in a quasi-distracted state, trying to get some cleanup and painting done. There were fewer volunteers than I had thought, but the two Sarahs were painting, Andrew and his friend helped clean and patch holes in the bar floor; Jane and Adam helped with the installation; Dan continued with painting the ceilings, walls and started the stairs; Karina organized the artist information. Judy threatened to take Robyn home today, and miss the Sum-41 concert, but he came around later in the afternoon and apologized and was fine the rest of the evening.
Ordered pizza from Tomasino’s to feed everyone and we talked further about the NSAC closure. The more I talk about it and try to figure out why the government did it the angrier I get. I am sick of feeling frustrated.
There is a whole lot more work to do, and I have badly misjudged the amount of time it will take to complete it all. I am getting really sick of this gala, and just want it to be over with. I appreciate all the time everyone is contributing, but resent the fact that we all pour so much of ourselves into these events when we could be channeling this energy into other areas, like programming, education and outreach. I guess the Gala fills these objectives a little bit, but the larger agenda of raising money overshadows everything else. At least the summer schedule is a little lighter, and there will be more time to focus on these things.
By about 9 we were losing efficiency so came home, but missed the Simpsons because Rebecca and her Mom and Mohanad were playing Trivial Pursuit in the living room. Then Mat called; I had locked Dan’s jacket in the office. Dan didn’t know my home phone number so he called Mat. I drove down to get it for him, and brought some take-out home for Karina, then we watched the end of yet another bad episode of X-Files. I had hoped to get out and drive around and put up more posters but it is really too late and if I do go I’ll be even more burned out tomorrow. Am meeting with Peter, our accountant, at 9.
Karina, Judy and Robyn are watching a movie, some Hollywood knockoff of that old British film about the all-girl’s school that strike to avoiding becoming co-ed. It think it as called Strike. I may watch it for a bit to try to unwind.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Chretien fends off charges he has a “rock-star sized” ego forbuying jets» Commemorative flight marks 90th anniversary of Titanic sinking» Ontario’snew premier signals moderation as he unveils cabinet team
Date : Tue, 16 Apr 2002 00:11:43 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
I am a bear today. Up at 6:00am, after a fitful night. So wound up cannot sleep properly. The office is a disaster. Cleaned up the second floor, got all my financial info ready, entered some new data and then checked my messages to find that Peter was ill and postponed our meeting to Wednesday. Finished hanging the show, sort of. Eleanor came to help and stayed a long while. Karina spent a lot of time preparing the bid sheets, Judy helped quite a bit.
We all ate at the Med. It was nice to take a little break. Despite the positive comments it was receiving I felt the show was just being thrown together.
Had to run out and teach class, leaving Karina in charge. Only 3 students came. They worked hard, but it seemed to drag on and on.
Karina said a lot of people came through and there are already a few advance bids. Karina seems quite organized with the bid sheets. I need to really nail things down this week. Joel flies in Wednesday. The video projector comes on Wednesday as well. I am picking up the risers with Sandra on Wednesday. There is a Contested Practices meeting tomorrow after noon, as well as a SOAC press conference at the legislature.
I called the Poster girl tonight but she won’t do 300 posters. She is 41 and on foot, and only does indoor bulletin boards. If I can’t find some others to split up the postering tomorrow I’ll be doing it. We need to paint the landings tomorrow as well.
Judy and Robyn enjoyed the SUM 41 concert and were both in good spirits tonight. They picked us up at the Khyber and we played Crazy Eights when we came home. They have to be on the road early tomorrow.
Am too tired to go into any more detail.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Billions in taxpayers’ money spent without scrutiny, auditorgeneral reports» Military troubles: too many cooks, not enough infantrymen, says auditor» Teenpleads guilty to derailing train that injured dozens in Stewiacke, N.S.
Date : Wed, 17 Apr 2002 02:29:55 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Judy and Robyn were up early to drive back to Saint John. I took the bike out of storage and drove around the North end, towards Novalea and down Windsor Street, putting up more posters before work. Continued putting up the rest of the show, which took longer than I had thought it would. Seth came by and hung his stuffed sock submarine and arranged a few other stuffed sock creatures on the ledge above the stairs. They look great.
Received our funding information from Canada Council today. We received the same amount as last year, $26, 000, but we also received some supplementary funding, which is great news. We can use it for professional development, improving work conditions, training and more. The supplementary funding is not guaranteed, so we can’t count it as operating funds. Still, any sort of increase is a good thing. There are no shortages of things to spend it on.
Karina and I took a lunch break at 5. Ate at the Med with Lucas, Seth and Andrew. Spent the early evening painting the final few areas on the walls that needed it and prepping the floor on the two landings. Decided to paint the stairs and the little area in front of the Closet Gallery red.
I am actually feeling better about the Gala – am even looking forward to it. Have been thinking of a speech; if I can get something written down in advance it would be a good thing.
Saw a poster tonight for an art show in Courtney’s wallet. He is running a wallet gallery. There is a picture of him on the poster; they are great. The first show is by Tamara Henderson. I asked Courtney about it when I got home but the show doesn’t start until tomorrow so his wallet was still empty.
Have to go to sleep; am way too tired. Am getting up early to meet with Peter our accountant, then to pick up the risers with Sandra.
-Chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Problems in child health could pose future crisis in care saysRomanow» PM praises Canadians on charter’s 20th anniversary for giving it life» FourAlliance dissidents return to caucus; no consensus on unity with Tories
Date : Thu, 18 Apr 2002 00:31:15 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
My alarm didn’t go off this morning. Woke up twenty minutes before my scheduled meeting with Peter. Took a cab to work and made it in time. The rest of the day followed that pacing. Sandra came at 10:30 and we picked up the platforms from Dal. Took a lunch break at Mokka and met Sophie and Lydia and talked about the Wearable Art Show. They put the platforms together. There was a rehearsal of sorts afterwards. Lots of activity in the gallery. More work coming in. Karina and Eleanor buzzing about. Met Robbie later in the day and we drove through Bedford to put up posters on our way to the
airport to pick up Joel. There are hardly any places to put posters up in Bedford. The suburbs are a ready-made culture; you are faced with it everywhere, there is no need for posters.
Picked up Joel, went back to the Khyber, grabbed Sarah and Karina after her Silent Auction meeting and we went for a late supper at I Love Sushi. Afterwards, while Spencer and Briony were still at the bar I told them about the Canada Council increase. They were quite pleased.
We caught the bus home. Joel talked about the crazy Campbell “liberals’ in power in BC, and how they are fearing for their arts council. When we got home Karina and I split a bath.
-Chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Chretien, opposition leaders pay tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan» Commander offers support for families of bomb victims; Edmonton base grieves» Father,stepmother guilty of second-degree murder in 7-year-old’s beating death
Date : Fri, 19 Apr 2002 01:33:39 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Went on Andrew’s radio show at CKDU again this morning. As usual, it was unusually fun. I love radio. We walked back downtown together to attend the SOAC Protest. I stopped at the Khyber to put on a sweater, gloves, scarf and my galoshes. It was freezing rain this morning – nasty weather anytime, but especially nasty when there is a protest.
After a nice march around the legislature, some fun dancing and some not-so-hot speeches, a few of us went inside to the visitor gallery and glared at Rodney. He wouldn’t come out to address the 500+ crowd! He split the House after they acknowledged our presence in the gallery. I ran into him on the second floor and gave him a letter I wrote him that sarcastically notes his ‘hard work’ and understanding why he couldn’t meet with the protesters. Honestly, I sat in the gallery for almost 40 minutes and I didn’t see him make a single note of any of the proceedings, let alone actually be called upon to answer or do anything. Anyway, after I gave him my letter he met a media scrum and I stayed behind to watch. It was fascinating. The policeman on duty asked me to go back to the gallery or leave, but I was transfixed. I circled back, the cop asked me to leave again, and then grabbed me and forcibly lifted me down the stairs. I went down to the front desk to get a 2nd floor pass but by the time I had come back the scrum was over.
Ran back up to the Khyber for the Definitely Not the Opera interview. I was a bit late; Craig was already giving Nora a tour of the building. It was a good thing Craig was there; I was in bad form for the interview. He spoke really well though. You should listen to it on Saturday.
Went with Joel to pick up the DVD Player and some other gallery supplies this afternoon. He and Karina and I went for supper at Soho Kitchen. A bit pricey but solid tasty meal. Back to the Khyber and worked until almost midnight. Still feel way behind on the Gala stuff.
Am going to the Legislature again tomorrow morning to listen to Rodney defend his departments’ budget and handling of the Arts Council debacle. It is open to the public and better yet, we can ask him questions through opposition MLA’s.
Sorry to hear about the soldiers blown up by US bombs last night. I don’t think we should be there in the first place.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Interim report on ‘friendly fire’ deaths ready in three weeks, Eggleton says» Bush goes public with sympathy for Canadian casualties after MPs complain» Families offallen Canadian soldiers bewildered over how bomb was dropped
Date : Sat, 20 Apr 2002 04:10:49 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
It is too late to go into detail today. Sat in on Rodney MacDonald’s ‘defense’ of his departments budget for four hours this morning, and the rest of the day has been gala gala gala. Just got home. Did have a nice late supper with Karina and Sally at the Shoe Shop. Shared a cab home with Craig. He was staying late to finish his photos for the Frame Gallery. Tomorrow is the Gala; Judy called to say she would have to miss it. She is too busy. Wish us luck,
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Inquiry into ‘friendly fire’ incident meets, plans trip to Afghanistan» Mother, father, two children dead near Montreal in apparent murder-suicide» March inflation rate rises to 1.8 per cent from 1.5 per cent in February
Date : Tue, 23 Apr 2002 09:46:15 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Well it appears that the Gala was a grand success. Lots and lots of people turned out, we sold most of the art in the auction and I think achieved our target. Some of the bands were switched around and a few acts couldn’t show, but others filled in. It was another 4am night. And, amazingly enough, we managed to clear the gallery on Sunday. Joel set up the projector and on Monday, our last day with the van, we dropped off the platforms, decorations, sound gear, threw the branches and twigs back into Point Pleasant Park, and picked up additional sound gear for Joel’s show. Dan had agreed to teach for me last night so I was free to go to the openings at Anna, then grabbed some food from the Superstore for the opening of SOS, which was under-attended but looks and sounds really good.
Judy, Steve and Robyn came last night and with Karina we drove out to see a movie at Bayers Lake. Went to a 3-D movie at the IMAX. It was awful. A haunted castle, with some 2-bit musician as the lead actor (there only being 2 in the whole show), and an amusement-park array of cheaply-rendered digital demons. 40 minutes of yak for ten bucks. Ate a small Pizza Hut pizza for supper while in the theatre. We drove home and rented Driving in Cars with Boys to balance out.
Am heading out for breakfast with the gang this morning. Judy asked about my weight. Both she and my mom think I should be drinking Boost. I think I just need to give myself adequate time to eat.
-Chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Slain soldier Leger remembered as hero in home town of Lancaster, Ont.» Family pays last respects to young N.S. paratrooper killed in Afghanistan» Alliance welcomes back dissident McNally; Pankiw remains in limbo Date : Wed, 24 Apr 2002 23:41:47 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Early to bed and then late to rise; I slept in this morning, and it felt great. Unfortunately I missed Rodney MacDonald on Information Morning. Apparently Ralph Benmurgy was tough on him, though Rodney stays close to his scripted responses. The SOAC Coalition has been sending out a flurry of emails and transcripts from the legislature. Tomorrow they will probably pass second reading of Bill 109, and then it goes to the Law Amendments committee. I should prepare what I will say when I go before that committee.
Made breakfast for Karina and I and then we drove to work in Judy’s Volvo. Had hoped to unearth my office from all the post-gala junk, but it was busy all day. I hardly managed to catch up on phone calls; artists were coming in to get paid, or stopping to ask about studio spaces, or picking work up, or other people were calling to collect on bills. I think we have figured out how much we made after expenses, though, and it looks like it is about $6000, which was our target. So I’m pleased about that.
Karina and I took Joel to Cousins for supper before driving him to the airport. We like that place because of the older career waitresses, fun wallpaper an bizarre carpeting. They are celebrating their 39th anniversary.
Stopped at Staples on the way home to buy paper. I have to print all my emails and send them to the Blackwood gallery early next week for the show that opens on May 8. I had forgotten that the show opens that soon.
The next few things to get done right away is to finish the Canada Council final report, get our next funding installment, finish printing the final 2 catalogues and continue to deal with the Arts Council thing.
The Bloomfield Centre called me today. They want me to renew my lease, I think. Which means I will have to pay them the 4 months outstanding rent, owch. Plus we have apartment rent, electricity and phone bills coming up. Double owch. We really have to stop eating out all the time.
Sarah and Spencer’s curated show up at the Mount opens tomorrow night. I will probably spend some time at the Legislature tomorrow. I also want to visit the department of tourism and culture office tomorrow, and grill them on information on the upcoming grant deadlines. The info available on their website is very basic.
Watched a bit of Batman Returns tonight. Surprisingly, Rebecca had rented it. I think Karina is about to watch another movie but i think I will just go to bed, and try to stay rested.
-Chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Soldier gives final salute to Canadian paratrooper killed inAfghanistan» New anti-terror bill to be introduced Monday, ‘That’s democracy’: Collenette» Ontario forging ahead with sale of electricity grid in courts andlegislature
Date : Sat, 27 Apr 2002 09:12:45 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Am falling asleep in front of a movie called Wit. Karina and I started watching it tonight after leaving the Khyber; loud bands were starting to play, a benefit for sustainability. Ironically enough, we had driven to the club and back, even though today was ‘leave your car at home’ day, or something like that. We rarely drive anywhere, but we only have Judy’s car until Tuesday, so we are trying to use it as much as we can. Karina used it to take laundry to and from the laundromat today. The car keeps stalling, so we have to drive it with one foot always on the gas and the other riding the brake.
Went to the opening of The Devils Workshop tonight at the Mount. It is a sparse show. There is some good work, but I am tired and weary of art and openings.
Watched Rodney MacDonald on the news tonight. Both he and Ken Schwartz were interviewed by Steve Murphy on ATV. Ken did a bang-up job; the minister came across as a bumbling, babbling fool, repeating himself and not answering very direct and simply questions. There is a full page ad in the paper today calling for his resignation. I think the legislature just passed second reading of the Financial Measures Act, however, so after the Law Amendments Committee there is just one more reading and then the Arts Council is dead.
Spoke to Marcel in the department of Tourism and Culture today. I was calling about the May 15 deadlines. He spoke at great length about the changes, and how he is trying to be positive about them. He said the new arts and culture council will be a sort of arms length organization, but within government. He didn’t actually sound too convincing.
Managed to clean up my office a bit today. It makes a big difference to be able to see and work upon the surface of ones desk.
Spoke to Caroline about the outstanding catalogues. The printer is going to print Winnie’s catalogue if we pay half up front; I think we can afford to do that, and pay the rest when we get our Canada Council money. I am working on the final reports now.
Am going to watch the last bit of Wit, then head to bed.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Red roses, pink cheeks greet warships returning from war on terrorism» Jury at trial of Hells Angels boss Maurice (Mom) Boucher needs more time» Montreal cops defend decision to break up demo and arrest about 150 people
Date : Sun, 28 Apr 2002 00:25:56 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
I really caught up on my sleep yesterday. After work I came home, had supper and had a nap afterwards that extended right though until about 11:30, when I undressed and went back to bed. The weather was crappy yesterday. There was supposed to be an open-air Mitch and the Motorhomes concert at the AGNS for Cal Lane’s opening, but I bet it was postponed or moved inside.
We tried to send some of Ana’s boxes back to Montréal by train yesterday but VIA Rail wouldn’t take the largest package, and it would have cost over $240 by bus, so we took it back to the Khyber and I will re-package it.
Picked up a small sculpture from Donna Akrey’s MFA Thesis exhibition today. She has been making art in a boxed-in room in the centre of the gallery from items people drop off to her. Today she was selling everything she has made in the past two weeks for $2 apiece. I bought a book with 2 wheels attached to the cover. The book is about Canadian Rights and Freedoms and contains a version of the Magna Carta.
Trevor and Tamara picked us up at 3pm and we drove to Lunenberg to celebrate my grandfather’s birthday. I arranged the cold cuts when we arrived. It was a lot of finger food. About 20 guests arrived, mostly friends and aquaintances of my grandparents. My Aunt Vicki and Peter were there too. Vicki told me that my cousin Erin may be going to NSCAD in January.
Fell asleep on the drive to and from Lunenberg. There was a nice big full yellow moon on the way home. We stopped at Bayers Lake and bought movie passes for Spider-Man for next week.
Am working on getting all my letters ready for print. Watched a bad TV Cop show tonight. Karina is watching South Park right now. I am tired again. I must be catching up on months of little sleep.
-Chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Thousands pack Edmonton’s Skyreach Centre for military memorial service» Canadians have changed way they view their military: academics» Romanow asks doctors for help devising new medicare prescription
Date : Sun, 28 Apr 2002 23:22:03 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Managed to re-copy all my past email letters to you today. Then Karina and I went for coffee and lemon cake at Juliens, ostensibly to get a loaf of bread. Stayed to read the articles in the Chronicle Herald regarding the Nova Scotia Arts Council. Couldn’t decide whether or not to take advantage of having Judy’s car and drive to the country or not. Couldn’t really think of anywhere to go, so didn’t go anywhere.
Went to the Khyber this afternoon to copy all the letters. There are almost 400 pages worth. Luckily the replacement toner cartridges came on Friday. However, now the copier is giving a ‘drum replacement’ warning.
Lucas called after we came home. He was planning to watch Gremlins with the video projector. I told him we may come to watch as well but we wouldn’t come until after the Simpsons. Another funny episode; Bart creates a comic of Homer as ‘Angry Dad’; Stan Lee guest stars. We stayed home afterwards, and I continued writing and sending email regarding the closure of the Arts Council. Now have the whole PC Caucus in my address book, both their work and personal emails.
We have to make a decision about the fate of our goldfish. He has been floating more and more, and recently was sporting an ugly looking red rash on his belly. He seems to be losing his ability to dive to the bottom of the tank; he keeps bobbing up to the surface. Sometimes he floats very still, upside-down. None of us seem to be able to take the initiative to flush him down the toilet. Today he seemed almost normal. I’m fascinated that he has lasted this long.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Injured Winnipeg soldiers talk about bombing that claimed four lives» Government brings in new anti-terror law to replace bill withdrawn last week» Technology and terrorism conference in Whistler addresses informationsharing
Date : Tue, 30 Apr 2002 00:12:03 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
The fish seems to be improving. He no longer floats immediately to the top of the tank. Karina has been feeding him peeled peas for the past few days. That seems to give him more ballast.
Walked to work this morning and ran into CFP on his way to work and we walked together. We talked about the work in The Devil’s Workshop exhibition. I appreciate the works individually, but in the exhibition they seem sparse, and lose some of their impact. Maybe that is the nature of survey exhibitions.
I made a bit of a boo-boo yesterday. I emailed out text from the SOAC Coalition for a proposed ad for the Coast to everyone on my email list, but the text was a draft and has already gone through a few revisions. The coalition didn’t want it circulated so soon. I am still a bit of a novice when it comes to matters of political expediency.
Spent most of the morning fixing up the Men’s room at work. There was a heavy metal show on Saturday night and some of the kids got rowdy and pulled the plumbing off the urinals. A mop bucket had been left out all weekend; the bathroom reeked of dirty urine this morning. And ‘Rhino’ had tagged up the bathroom walls some good, so I spent more time covering it up.
The furnace had stopped over the weekend. Poor Eva was freezing in the Refugee Clinic office. I had hoped that by now the weather would be warming up, but of course I was wrong and it may even snow again tonight. What else is new.
Finished the final report to the Canada Council today. Karina picked me up from work and I put it in the mail on our way out to Bayers Lake. Karina had bought me a pair of sneakers from Roots but they were a tad big so we drove back so I could get a new pair. Karina tried to get me to try on jeans while we were there but I can’t stand shopping, especially for $40 jeans. We went to Value Village instead; that I can handle. Stopped at Sobeys on the way home and picked up some groceries, Made supper when we got home.
I am attaching a letter Jan cc’d to me which she had sent to Jane Purves. It is short and sweet and to the point.
-chris
Dear Ms. Purves,
I have probably sat on a dozen juries for the Canada Council and for the Ontario Arts Council. I know something of how arts councils work and of how arts juries work.
This proposed new council of Mr. MacDonald’s throws Nova Scotia into the social, cultural and political backwater where much of the rest of the country thinks we rightfully belong. I am mortified to try to explain what is happening to cultural funding in this province to my friends and family in other parts of the country. And these aren’t just artists– they are teachers, lawyers, geologists, farmers and accountants — All are as puzzled by what is going on here as I am.
An enlightened society knows that an arms length funding organization is essential to the health of its culture. “Cultural policies” may come and go with the exigencies of elections; but the mandate of a province’s Arts Council should be as solid, uninfluenced and unfailing as its Human Rights Code — absolutely guaranteed to function equally well for its citizens no matter who is running things at Province House.
Aren’t you frightened to think of the powers the current government is granting to the next government with this change? And the one after that?
As my MLA, could you please find out from Mr. MacDonald what research he has done into how arts councils are generally set up to function in this country and abroad? Can he point to existing models for the new council he proposes that are currently functioning in the world?
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Jan Peacock
Professor, Media Arts
Summer Program Director
tel 902 494-8122
jpeacock@nscad.ns.ca
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Possible cracked valves pull two of Canada’s new submarines outof service» New Canadian study links criminal activity to alcohol and drug abuse» AmyGehring asks Ontario College of Teachers to take her licence away Date : Tue, 30 Apr 2002 23:44:04 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Have not yet managed to mail the letters to Mississauga for the ‘My Roledex’ show. Was busier today than I had anticipated. Karina woke up with me, we made breakfast and then drove downtown. We used Judy’s car to pick up some plynths from the Anna Leonowens. Pam had dropped them off there on Monday from the Mary Black Gallery. You never know when you will need more plynths.
Karina also helped me re-pack Ana’s artwork, and we put the plywood disk on the bus. I left the rest of her package in the hallway downstairs, intending to call UPS to pick it up but never got around to it. The damn phone kept ringing and people kept stopping by to talk. Mike from Cardinal Management called and I could put off the rent no longer. He wanted it this afternoon. I sent it by courier. I need to learn to be this firm with some of the other tenants in the building. I could also use a receptionist or something.
Good news on the job front, though; we got the YCW grants for Khyber Kids and for a KDMC tech, and also got the YIP grant to move Lucas into a more administrative position.
Karina came by after work. I was expecting Judy and Robyn and Steven to be with her, but they had already left for Saint John. Karina met them at the airport and said it was a whirlwind. I think a week with her ‘family’ in Florida visiting Disneyland must have been way too much for Judy, and she wanted to get back home ASAP. They put Karina on an airport bus and drove directly home from the airport.
Karina had been consulting with someone at a pet store and bought a filter for the fish tank. She has been feeding the fish only peas the past few days and he seems much better. Apparently we should not have been cleaning out the fish tank periodically; they need the algae and bacteria to live. No wonder he would go odd occasionally.
Made supper and continued reading ‘No brow’. It is a quick read, sort of like a ‘No Logo for dummies. The author writes for the New Yorker; most of the book is about The New Yorker, and the loss of the high and low distinction in culture. There was a huge section on George Lucas and Star Wars. No contemporary cultural theories book is complete without it. Oddly enough, Phantom Menace was on TV tonight, which I watched with a bored yet rapt attentiveness. I would have much rather viewed the original Star Wars. I guess it is referred to as ‘A New Hope’ now.
The HRM CAP Association AGM is tomorrow in East Preston. I had forgotten all about it, and now have to find some way to attend. I was hoping that Lucas would be able to go but he teaches Khyber Kids on Wednesdays. I’ll email the board but the only ones with cars are Robbie and Mat, and they work all day.
-chris
DEAR PM 