ART AS A WAY OF KNOWING: Week 4
Registration for Art as a way of Knowing has been very good. In fact spots at McDougall are very limited. We have a couple spots left, please sign up soon if you are planning to attend. There are still spots at Red Deer Lake. If the sessions you want to attend are full, please consider attending there. You can sign up here.
This week we are going to talk more about what is happening for week Four.
But first, here is a reminder about when the workshops are happening: At McDougall, these workshops are happening on Friday nights (5:30 pm - 8:00 pm). If Friday’s don’t work, the same workshops are being presented at Red Deer Lake on Saturday (11:30 am - 2:00 pm). A simple meal will be provided each week. There is no cost to these workshops. There are limited spots though so please sign up if you are planning to attend.
Here is some more information about what will be covered in week 4.
WEEK 4 Photography, Attention & Wonder
July 31 / August 1
Seeing with New Eyes
Photography teaches us to slow down and notice.
Participants will explore selected outdoor locations and learn how images can help us pay attention to beauty, impermanence, memory, and place.
At Red Deer Lake, we will photograph the church gardens and memory garden.
At McDougall, we will explore a local Calgary location, documenting did you go outside? Let's go outside. Come outside go outside. Give me a second. I'm coming. I'm a second I'm coming. spaces, structures, and stories that may soon disappear.
No photography experience is required. Phones are welcome.
The focus is not technical perfection but learning to see.
What to Expect
This beginner-friendly photography class is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to take better photos using their smartphone—whether it's an iPhone or an Android device. No previous photography experience is needed!
We'll begin with approximately 45 minutes learning a few simple photography concepts and discussing the day's activity as we share our meal. Then we'll head out for 45–60 minutes to take photographs, followed by a final hour of sharing and discussing our images as a group. If time allows, we'll also touch on basic photo editing and cropping techniques.
Sharing your photos with the group is completely optional, but it can be a fun way to learn from one another. If you're using an Android device, it may be helpful to know how to upload your images to Google Photos or bring a way to transfer them as JPEG or PNG files for viewing. Danah is very familiar with Apple devices and the Photos app, and will be happy to demonstrate editing techniques using those tools.
Red Deer Lake Location
At the RDL location, we'll stay within easy walking distance of the building as we explore the wonderful Memorial Garden, with all its flowers, and surrounding field. This setting offers a variety of natural subjects, textures, colours, and landscapes that are perfect for practicing composition and observation.
After our photo walk, we'll return to either the upstairs Upper Room or the downstairs Multipurpose room to view and discuss our photographs together.
McDougal Location
At the MUC location, participants Will be encouraged to take a short three-minute drive to a nearby park. The park features interesting trees and a playground that is scheduled to be removed in the near future, making it a unique opportunity to capture images of a place that won't be around much longer. The playground's twisting slide, classic monkey bars, and distinctive shapes offer plenty of creative photographic possibilities.
For those who would rather stay in and around the church to take photographs, Danah will provide lights, draping cloths, and some interesting objects that could be used to compose a still life.
We'll finish the class by gathering in the M&M Room to share, discuss, and reflect on our photographs together.
You can learn more and sign up for just this one, or all of the workshops on our website.