OUR STORY...
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COLLABORATIVE ARTISTS
KIAM (KIel & AManda) studied and received their BFA in Studio Art from the University of Guelph in 2010. After working separately for years, but always commenting on each others work, they decided to try a collaborative painting. Using thick layers of acrylic paint, gel mediums, photograph transfers and washes, the result was a painting with two perspectives on one panel. Since 2010, they continue to make collaborative paintings as KIAM Studio! |
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COMMUNITY IS EVERYTHING!
Since 2010, we've been doing solo, group, outdoor, collaborative and community art shows. It's been an amazing way to meet artists in the community, get our work out in the world, and connect with our collectors and clients. Community is everything to us, so building our art around and with our community has been integral to everything we do. |
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A PASSION FOR ART
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3 days before giving birth to our 3rd child, we opened Art In The Ward.
A collaborative art space for creative minds and hearts. This studio hosted solo, group, and community shows. It was a private space for photographers, and a home for the creative community. Today this studio operates as Otherwise Studios a space for art making and community building. |
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ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
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One of our biggest honours was being selected as Artists in Residence with the City of Guelph. The project involved creating a 6 part series with the community to represent each of the six wards of Guelph.
We had over 1000 photographs submitted from the community and each one was transferred into the painting to represent each ward and what the community loved about it. The final show titled YOUR WARD was showcased at the AGG for the community to gather together and celebrate a truly collaborative project! You can learn more about that project here. |
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LIFE IS ART!
We don't just collaborate in business. Together we have created three humans who have a passion and love for art too! As former teachers, and with our three kiddos inspiring our thoughts and actions, we have created kids art programs, camps and workshops for all ages to enjoy! |
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ART FOR IMPACT
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Every year we host an art event to fundraise for a charity of choice.
As a cancer survivor, Amanda's charity of choice is often funds donated towards the Canadian Cancer Society. But our charities have also included Plan Canada, My Friends House, The Princess Margaret Hospital, and Food Bank Canada. We all have the ability to create impact with the work we are doing in this world and giving back to create a positive impact on the world, will always be part of our mission. |
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INSPIRED LIFE
In 2018 we decided to do something that we had been talking about since we were 20 years old (our first backpacking trip together). We packed our 3 kids with one bag each (ages 8, 5 and 1 at the time), sold our truck, rented our house, and backpacked through Italy for 3 months. It inspired us in ways that forever changed us and left us with memories to cherish for a lifetime. |
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LISTEN TO THE WHISPERS
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Upon returning from this backpacking trip we sold our house, gifted our studio to our mentee's, and moved our family to a town we had only previously visited.
When the whispers get louder, you need to listen. To this day, we live in Blue Mountain, soaking up the Bay all year round, hiking trails and living intentionally through art, travel and experiences. Whether you've liked our posts, bought our art, come to events or even shared a moment with us, we appreciate you being here and hope you continue to follow the journey. |