Just Artists

Artist Next Door TV Series

During the 2004 federal election, Rik Leaf approached Judy Wasylycia-Leis, the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North, with a cultural initiative designed specifically to engage the emerging electorate. It was an ambitious initiative in scope and imagination that in the end never managed to get the necessary traction to get off the ground. But it was that initial conversation that ultimately led to Judy inviting a group of artists from the North End to her home for an informal meeting to discuss what possible role the cultural community could have in addressing some of the social concerns and interests of the neighborhood. The evening was full of potential and numerous possibilities were presented. As an artist Rik has performed and hosted many house concerts over the years, and he decided to initiate a series of concerts in and around the north end in non traditional venues including homes and local businesses. Unafraid of a humble beginning it seemed the perfect place to begin; where we are and who we are when we get together.

That is how the Artist Next Door Concert Series began, and it has continued for well over a year now and has featured an array of singers, songwriters, published authors, photographers, illustrators, painters and poets, all from Winnipeg’s North End.

Inspired by the ongoing success and an engaged group of area residents, Rik approached Derek Eidse, a local filmmaker with a proposal to produce a series of these concerts to celebrate Winnipeg’s rich cultural history and diversity. In late 2007 Rik and Derek pitched the Artist Next Door series as a pilot project to MTS Allstream for their Winnipeg On Demand programming. They accepted.

The Artist Next Door TV Series is one of a number of ongoing JUST Artist projects initiated by an emerging category of socially active performers and producers committed to improving the world through their artistic contributions.

We will be taping the first show Friday night, April 18, 2008 at the Flatlanders Inn, 782 Main St. Winnipeg, Manitoba. All are welcome. Contact Rik Leaf at info@justartists.org for more information.