Tobey C. Anderson
CRAM Artist of the Month
Cuban Development Fund
Shipping Container of Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
http://www.ctprintbiennale.com/
Since 2006 CRAM International has been a growing concern...
The CRAM Collective and Canada's Smallest Art Gallery was established in March, 2006 and will be retired June 1, 2013. The collective has been comprised of working professional artists living in the Niagara Region or who had ties to St. Catharines. Initiated and directed on a benevolent dictatorial management model, CRAM International artists became contributing and exhibiting members by invitation. CRAM applied three models to operate and manoeuvre within Canadian and international cultural networks as: 1. an artist collective, 2. a small business, 3. a not-for-profit project platform. CRAM International operated as both a business and a non-profit organization, and rejected elements of corporate structure and public accountability that inhibit the creation of new artwork and artist-run initiatives.
An on-going relationship of cultural exchange began in 2008 between the artists of CRAM International and Taller Cultural "Luis Diaz Oduardo" in Santiago de Cuba. CRAM Press, Niagara's professional fine art print studio, was initiated by Co-Directors Alan Flint and Tobey C. Anderson with José Medina in 2009. CRAM Press has a mandate to work with artists in the publication of original print editions and artist book-works.
CRAM Aims have been to:
• create a cool scene by presenting original art and projects by contemporary artists in the CRAM Gallery, CRAM Press print studio, and alternative venues.
• expunge “art speak”, elitism, cliques, and other barriers to understanding and appreciating original contemporary art.
• avoid, squelch, or oppose mainstream thinking, consumerism, bad fashion, derivative art, and mediocre practices.
• create a local crawl destination and contribute to the growth of art and culture in St. Catharines.
• promote the production of new art and local investments in original contemporary art.
• engage in shameless self-promotion.
• stimulate creative dialogue and the exchange of ideas.
• provide patrons and members with deals and discounts.
• give free opinions about art, life, fashion, religion, food, and politics.
• use a benevolent dictatorial management model for business and non-profit for projects.
• adhere to critical, candid, and politically incorrect documentation.
• establish and enjoy national and international recognition points.
• engage in discourse and dialogue with a sense of humour when appropriate and if possible.
• network nationally and internationally to bring artists and projects to Niagara.
• develop new opportunities outside Niagara for the benefit of local artists and patrons.
• get really cool (dare we say "hot"?) people to hang out once in a while in the CRAMplex....
An on-going relationship of cultural exchange began in 2008 between the artists of CRAM International and Taller Cultural "Luis Diaz Oduardo" in Santiago de Cuba. CRAM Press, Niagara's professional fine art print studio, was initiated by Co-Directors Alan Flint and Tobey C. Anderson with José Medina in 2009. CRAM Press has a mandate to work with artists in the publication of original print editions and artist book-works.
CRAM Aims have been to:
• create a cool scene by presenting original art and projects by contemporary artists in the CRAM Gallery, CRAM Press print studio, and alternative venues.
• expunge “art speak”, elitism, cliques, and other barriers to understanding and appreciating original contemporary art.
• avoid, squelch, or oppose mainstream thinking, consumerism, bad fashion, derivative art, and mediocre practices.
• create a local crawl destination and contribute to the growth of art and culture in St. Catharines.
• promote the production of new art and local investments in original contemporary art.
• engage in shameless self-promotion.
• stimulate creative dialogue and the exchange of ideas.
• provide patrons and members with deals and discounts.
• give free opinions about art, life, fashion, religion, food, and politics.
• use a benevolent dictatorial management model for business and non-profit for projects.
• adhere to critical, candid, and politically incorrect documentation.
• establish and enjoy national and international recognition points.
• engage in discourse and dialogue with a sense of humour when appropriate and if possible.
• network nationally and internationally to bring artists and projects to Niagara.
• develop new opportunities outside Niagara for the benefit of local artists and patrons.
• get really cool (dare we say "hot"?) people to hang out once in a while in the CRAMplex....
CRAM International
St. Catharines - Ontario - Niagara Region - Canada - L2R 4 - T8 - Ph: 905-380-3910
St. Catharines - Ontario - Niagara Region - Canada - L2R 4 - T8 - Ph: 905-380-3910