News Article

CNA grads invited to 2005 Summer Games


7/19/2005 3:22:46 PM


Christian Gallant, musician, Prince Edward Island.


Logan Wood, visual artist, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Neither Logan Wood nor Christian Gallant ever imagined they would be chosen to participate in a national athletic competition; that’s because neither of them are athletes. They are actually artists and will travel to Regina in August for the 2005 Canada Summer Games as a part of the National Artist Program (NAP).

Wood is a visual artist who recently graduated from College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Visual Arts program in Stephenville. She currently resides in St. John’s and is growing her career in the vibrant arts community there.

Gallant, a musician, graduated from CNA’s Music Industry and Performance program in Stephenville. He currently resides in Prince Edward Island and is working on his first CD release.

When the two first heard about NAP, they jumped at the opportunity to apply. They will have the chance collaborate with other artists from across the country.

“There’s a great similarity between artists and athletes,” says Wood. “We are passionately pursuing our goals. It takes persistence and a honing of our talents.”

The NAP brings together 52 young artists and creative athletes from across the country for a two-week “interdisciplinary mentorship creative residency.”

“I believe culture is just as important as sports to young Canadians,” says Gallant. “And I can’t speak for them, but I think that’s what Canada Games organizers thought when they introduced the National Artist Program.”

The two will be heading to Regina as part of a provincial team – Wood representing Newfoundland and Labrador and Gallant representing Prince Edward Island.

Gallant says he feels a great sense of pride, especially since he was one of a small team of artists chosen to represent his province.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” he says. “It’s a feeling of pride and accomplishment and I am glad to be able to represent P.E.I.”

The teams consist of three emerging artists and one creative athlete from each province or territory. Participants will collaborate with 10 professional Saskatchewan artists on pieces that will be presented in a gala at the end of the two-week period.

“It’s really important to expand my horizons, and being given the chance to work with other artists from across the country is an amazing opportunity,” says Wood. “This could push many of us in new directions.”

Gallant says that while he doesn’t know what to expect, he plans to just be himself and to be confident in his abilities.

“I am just going to go there with an open spirit and an open mind, try to be flexible – that’s the type of person I am,” he says.

He says confidence was not always something that came easy to him.

“One thing that the Music Industry and Performance program at the college gave me was more confidence,” he says. “It gave me the skills and courage to get myself out there, to promote myself as an artist.”

The 2005 Canada Summer Games and the National Artist Program will run from August 6-20 in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Centennial.
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For more information contact:

Stephen Lee
Communications Manager
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7929

Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7928