Last Thursday, July 26, I was happy to attend the vernissage of Karen Bailey’s exhibition “RAISING STANLEY / LIFE WITH TULIA”. I also had a chance to see the powerful performance by Ottawa storyteller Kim Kilpatrick.
Bailey’s exhibition describes the journey from puppy to working guide dog for the blind - an accessible creative collaboration with storyteller Kim Kilpatrick. Karen’s impressive and so vivid paintings are displayed in the Fritzi Gallery and also appear in video format accompanying Kim’s eight performances in the Studio Theatre.
Kilpatrick, who was born blind, captured the audience with touching, striking, sometimes hilarious, accounts of her life with her guide dogs. Bailey’s paintings, as well as her voice and the voice of director Bronwyn Steinberg (for accessible audio descriptions), were projected as part of the performance. It’s fascinating to see how well these different media – visual art, theater, spoken word – intertwine and provide a fully accessible experience. And by the way: Tulia, Kim’s guide dog, is on stage as well (but mostly sound asleep).
INFO:
Fritzi Gallery, Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC)
1233 Wellington St. W., Ottawa
July 26 - August 5, 2018
Exhibition hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 11 am - 5 pm, Thursday - Friday 11 am – 9 pm, Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm
Performance tickets and further information: gctc.ca
