Ingrid Mueller - Force of Culture

Ingrid Mueller is fast emerging as a cultural force in Fredericton. The city is normally a staunchly unprogressive city that, for many years had a rich cultural past, but chalked up nil in the what’s-goin’-on-today department.

But this is changing, and people like Ingrid are breathing life into the empty lungs of the city’s arts community. Famous for her gala exhibition openings where … get this … people actually show up … lots of them … Ingrid moves through her crowds introducing people and making connections that promise to flourish into new projects and new directions in the community.

Yesterday was no exception. Ingrid held a show for Fredericton photographer Joshua Slade at The Blue Door on Regent and King.

The place was packed with artists, writers, journalists, poets, photographers, sculptors … and energy, the kind of energy that’s been so lacking in the arts in this town for so long. And on this particular occasion, Ingrid suggested that myself and some of the town’s emerging writers come to her gallery on York Street, Art+Concepts, and do some readings.

I just got off the phone with Old Skull (another force in the city’s emerging arts scene) and we’re going to take you up on that offer, Ingrid. It will be a reading the likes of which has never been seen before.

BTW,Joshua was overheard saying to Romanian poet Mihaela Ulieru about his art, "I consider 'why', and this is what comes to mind: photography represents a longing for something, a wholeness which does not actually exist. To take a picture is to move away from reason, to think with other means; it is a way to perspective. Photography is a tool, and I have found none better."

Coming next ... inFredericton.

Coming soon ... the March 23 readings.

Coming after that ... the 12 Hour Read-a-thon.