Collage Party

Paul Butler started hosting Collage Parties as a way to recapture the art school energy missing after graduating from The Alberta College Art and Design in 1997. He gathers a variety of collage materials, invites a number of friends to join in, and makes art for no other reason but to enjoy the process. Over the past 5 years, the Party has grown exponentially. Paul has been invited to host Collage Parties all over the world including Oslo, London, Los Angeles, New York and Berlin. 

The Collage Party format is loosely structured -- nomadic and flexible -- some events are one night only, others last a few days. The attendance at one Collage Party might be 10 people, at another 2000 so it allows him to experiment and do things he Wouldn't normally do in his own studio. There are always new people joining the party and as a result, he is constantly being exposed to new ways of thinking and working both as an individual and as part of a collective. The Collage Party also provides an amazing venue to promote the work of all the other artists (both emerging and established) who participate. This art-making process is informal, fun and rigorous all at once - not unlike an extended crit session. 

The Collage Party is popular and beneficial because it provides avenue for artists to connect and exchange ideas with not only each other, but with critics, curators, dealers and collectors from local, national and international art communities. The general interested public is also provided a portal into the machinations of the artist and the exposed studio. The creative and social environment facilitates the coming together of diverse sectors of the art community. 

Collage parties function as creative incubators for all involved.  

The fall, 2006 ACAD Collage Party is the last in a yearlong series for Paul that will be documented and included in his first catalogue.  

Artists: Paul Butler and Guests. 

Videographer: Caelum Vatnsdale