The 4th annual SkirtsAfire herArts Festival is gearing up for another fantastic weekend of A-Line events, March 10-13, 2016 in the heart of Alberta Avenue (118 Ave). SkirtsAfire features the work of women in theatre, music, dance, visual art, comedy and spoken word. Artists and audience come together to share in these powerful, moving, insightful and entertaining performances, exhibitions and workshops.

Elsa Robinson

Elsa Robinson came to Edmonton from Jamaica in 1984. She worked as a self-taught artist and later completed a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design at the University of Alberta. Since 2006, Elsa’s acrylic paintings, mixed media collage and sculptures have been featured in exhibitions in Edmonton, Spruce Grove and Sherwood Park. Her work addresses themes of identity, family, history and spirituality.

Elsa received the 2008 City of Edmonton Cultural Diversity in the Arts Award. In 2012, she received the Fill Fraser Award for Outstanding Work in Visual Arts National Black Coalition of Canada. Most recently Elsa received the 2015 Cultural Diversity in the Arts Grant from the Edmonton Arts Council to complete a major art project. Elsa is presently completing a residency at the Robertson Wesley United Church in which she will guide a group through the process of creating masks to express spirituality. Elsa designs and teaches art workshops for children and adults.

Elsa’s large scale collages will be on display at the Nina Haggerty Gallery (9225 118 Ave) as part of the Collaborations In: Public Identities and Private Selves Exhibit. The exhibition will open March 3 and run until the end of the festival on March 13. Please check the SkirtsAfire website for gallery hours.

Tickets for SkirtsAfire HerArts Festival events and exhibits are at the door by donation.