Art’s Birthday Whismy and Wonder| January 24th
Fun with Foamcore | Workshop Instructed by William Bessai-Saul | 1-3PM | Limited Spot Available | Neutral Ground
Place Forky Here | Screening | Acadia Pelletier and Marz Gebhardt | 7-8PM | Drop In | Neutral Ground
ClOWNCORE After Party | Featuring fuhsta, RILEYD, DJBADCARLOTTA, DJ Konjo (Winnipeg)| 9pm – Late | Pre-Sale and Door Tickets | House of Diamond
Our dear friend Art is turning 1,000,063 years old! We would be remiss if we didn’t celebrate, and we hope you join us! Mark you calendars for January 24th and rejoice in Art! Day programming at Neutral Ground includes an afternoon workshop (registration required below) with the wonderful William Bessai-Saul and an whimsical evening screening by Acadia Pelletier and Marz Gebhardt. We are so thrilled to be partnering with House of Diamond (1864 Scarth St) to keep our celebration going with the clowncore afterparty with special guests fuhsta, RILEYD, DJBADCARLOTTA, and DJ Konjo!!!!
Art’s Birthday is an annual, international celebration of art, coined by Fluxus artist Robert Filliou (1926-1987) who produced works as a filmmaker, “action poet,” sculptor, and happenings maestro. In 1963, Filliou proclaimed that art was born when a dry sponge was dropped into a bucket of water 1,000,000 years prior. He suggested that a public holiday be established, to celebrate the role that art plays in our everyday lives. By Filliou’s metric, 2026 marks Art’s 1,000,063rd birthday. Come celebrate Art through joining us for our day programming and after party in partnership with House of Diamond!
Fun with Foamcore | 1-3pm | Registration Required
Foamcore is a cheap and versatile material that can be found at any dollar store, but can be tricky to use properly. In this workshop session, William Bessai-Saul will demonstrate the techniques he used to create everything out of foamcore in the “Bird House” window display. Participants will learn hands-on some basic techniques for how to cut foamcore, how to fold it, and how to design their own three dimensional objects. This workshop will involve the use of hot glue and sharp knives.
William Bessai-Saul, BFA, is an artist, cartoonist, and filmmaker based in Regina, Saskatchewan (Treaty 4). Bessai-Saul studied drawing, philosophy, and photography at University of Regina, graduating with distinction in 2025. His work has exhibited locally since 2017, and his films have screened nationally. Bessai-Saul currently hosts a weekly community talk-radio show analyzing newspaper comics. His daily strip “Bird People” is available online.Website: williambessai-saul.weebly.com
Place Forky Here | Acadia Pelletier and Marz Gebhardt
Place Forky Here follows Forky- a clown invited to a party- through the long and fluttery hours before the event begins. Full of anticipation, Forky begins to prepare, as they try on different selves, practice social gestures, and set a DJ deck like a place at the table. However, unlike a table setting where each utensil has a designated place, Forky does not know where they belong, or whether there is a place made for them at all. The film lingers in a space of anticipation, where
identity feels provisional and belonging feels undecided. When Forky finally arrives at the party, the worry softens: no one is concerned with labels or costumes. What matters is the music, the
rhythm, and the care taken in creating the night. The film celebrates chosen selves and chosen spaces, suggesting that belonging is something we compose with our friends and loved ones.
Acadia Pelletier(they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They primarily experiment with creative technologies, using both audio and visual mediums. They pull inspiration from anything weird and unusual. They are going into their third year of Creative Technologies at the University of Regina. They are hoping to obtain both a Creative Technologies degree and a certificate in animation.
Marz Gebhardt (she/they) is a screenwriter, poet, filmmaker, and multidisciplinary artist whose work centers fantastical storytelling across mediums. As a filmmaker, she writes, directs and shoots queer- and feminine-focused music videos, collaborating closely with musicians to craft visually distinct narratives that highlight the cinematic potential of the Canadian Prairies. Their work often explores identity, intimacy, and chosen forms of belonging through a weird and
colourful lense. Marz holds an Honours English degree with a minor in History from the University of Regina, a screenwriting diploma from the Toronto Film School, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Creative Arts degree at Yorkville University.
CLOWNCORE AFTER PARTY
Join us again starting at 9 PM and party the night away in celebration of Art! Tickets available at the door or below
Member’s Price $5
Non Member’s $10
New Membership + Entry $15
FEATURING: fuhsta, RILEYD, DJBADCARLOTTA, DJ Konjo
