Strait Talk Ep. 39

Elaine Mandrona and Denis Dumas recently spoke with Civic Journalist Jake Boudrot about their efforts to establish the Richmond Artists Alliance.

The interview began with Mandrona and Dumas discussing their backgrounds, including where they are from, where they have lived, and their professional experiences. They highlighted how their accumulated skills and experiences make them well-suited to lead the formation of this organization.

They also shared the inspiration behind the idea for the Richmond Artists Alliance. Last summer, Telile attended an art exhibit at Centre La Picasse, which showcased local artists and their work. The exhibit demonstrated a high level of artistry across various mediums and attracted significant public interest, reinforcing the need for a collective initiative to support local artists.

Dumas and Mandrona spoke about the diverse talent of artists working in multiple mediums throughout Richmond County. They emphasized the importance of recognizing and promoting this talent to strengthen the local artistic community.

In a recent Facebook post, Mandrona announced that she and Dumas are forming the Richmond Artists Alliance to unify and advocate for visual artists under one voice. When asked to elaborate, they explained the necessity of a collective organization to support artists, provide a platform for their work, and address shared challenges.

Mandrona also stated that the alliance aims to encourage visual arts, assist artists in their development, and help them generate income. She and Dumas were asked about their specific plans for achieving these goals and the resources they hope to provide to artists.

Additionally, Mandrona’s social media post invited visual artists and crafters to join the alliance. She and Dumas were asked why they chose to focus on these disciplines, how they define visual art, and whether other artistic mediums would be included in the future.

The Richmond Artists Alliance is set to hold its first meeting at Scratch Eats Market in Arichat. During the interview, Mandrona and Dumas were asked about their objectives for this initial meeting and what they hope to accomplish in the coming months.