Make time to draw this summer

West End

St. Boniface

One local artist is hoping to encourage Winnipeggers to pick up a pen, pencil, marker, or crayon and let loose this summer.

Cato Cormier, an illustrator and comics artist, is the Winnipeg Public Library’s latest maker-in-residence.

“It’s such a great, free program for the public,” Cormier said. “I am excited to share my techniques and create a safe space for self-expression, learning, and community-building. People can limit themselves and feel insecure, but I hope to create a space at the library this summer to feel at ease and do some experimentation. Programming here will be very accessible, no skills needed. You just come along and bring your curiosity and we’ll make some cool stuff together.”

The maker-in-residence program brings artists from a variety of disciplines into the library each year to share skills with the public. Cormier’s term runs until Aug. 21. During this time, Cormier will host weekly drop-in studio sessions at the ideaMILL at Millennium Library every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m.

“People can just come by and we’ll have a different, super-easy, casual workshop available for folks to do,” Cormier said. “It’s a hands-off vibe. You can just stop by, we’ll have all supplies available and examples for people. I’m really looking forward to meeting people and just seeing what works with everyone.”

Cormier will also be running workshops on specific themes at library branches across Winnipeg throughout the summer.

“One I’m really excited about is a flexagon workshop, which is also known as an infinity card, little paper art you can open continuously,” Cormier said. “It’s this very magical paper contraption that we’re going to illustrate. We’ll learn how to do that together and then illustrate it. We’ll also do some animation and other cool stuff with different age groups. I’ll also be doing one French one at St. Boniface Library later in the summer, which I’m really excited about.”

Those who haven’t taken part in a drawing workshop and seasoned illustrators are all welcome to attend a drop-in session or workshop.

“They can expect to learn something and come out of the experience with their own finished art work,” Cormier said. “I want to encourage people to shake off whatever is intimidating them about drawing and get in touch with their inner child. It’s accessible to kids, too, and older folks and folks with different abilities. We’re trying to keep it flexible and fun and experiment.”

Cormier, a West End resident, moved to Winnipeg six years ago from Montreal, and almost immediately became involved with Art City, an organization they’ve worked regularly since.

“It’s such a hub there, and I learned a lot about facilitating and working with community,” Cormier said.

When time allows, Cormier will also be working on new comics during their residency at the library, in hopes of having some new work ready in time for the 10th annual Prairie Comics Festival in September, for which Cormier also designed the promotional artwork.

For more information, visit winnipeg.ca/library