Qualle and Altrows

I have a lot to say about this evening’s event at the Central Library. I was invited to hear Rona Altrows and Carolyn Qualle as they discussed their collaboration wherein a writer and and artist were paired up and then were to work with each other.

Carolyn Qualle'sArtist Book Response
to Rouleauville by
Rona Altrows

I have been to the Central Library before, to their new building.

Walking into it is still a breath-taking moment on its own with its four story high ceiling which is reminiscent of the bow of a ship.

 The evening sun was streaming through the windows, bouncing off of blind-like sails. The wood was exquisite with the light reflecting to one wall and then another.

The event was held on the fourth floor, in the Simmons Harvie Community Living Room. The evening was to hear Rona Altrows reading from her book Rouleauville. And half of the time was given over to Carolyn Qualle so that we could hear about how she created her Artist’s Book Response. The response is just that – 6 wooden plaques with images that sprung to mind from the lovely story about early Calgary, Rouleaville which later became known as Mission – that area at the east end of the Belt Line.  Carolyn did 5 editions of the book:  one to the library, one to the writer, one for herself, one to a travelling exhibition and one to a print screen mentor of hers.

Writer and artist working in tandem.

A lovely evening.

Arta