We are busy preparing pre-LGM activities (6-9 May) and happy to report that it looks like an exciting weekend already. As a way to warm up for the Libre Graphics Meeting, StudioXX will host a Digital Pattern Making workshop, a celebrity draw-off and an exhibition. ginger coons is gathering a ‘jury’ of designers, illustrators and developers for a public discussion about the works in the exhibition and our relation to tools. For the exhibition you are still welcome to submit files – see the call here: http://libregraphicsmag.com/blog/2011/04/tools-call-for-submissions

Workshops are free to attend but places are limited so please register here: http://www.libregraphicsmeeting.org/2011/registration and mention the workshop(s) of your choice in the comments box.

You can find latest info on the LGM-website but to give an idea of what we are cooking up:

Saturday May 7

Morning: Digital Pattern Making Workshop (workshop with Susan Spencer)

Participants with Inkscape, Python & pySVG loaded on their laptops will learn to transfer a 19th century pattern into python code, and generate this pattern using their own measurements. To complete the workshop and illustrate the practical and creative nature of the software, each student will be provided scissors, needle, thread, muslin, and sewing machine to cut out and sew their garment with simple sewing techniques. No previous sewing level is required! Both sexes are encouraged to attend. Each student will leave the workshop with a simply constructed version of their garment, and a printed copy of their customized pattern.

Afternoon: Debate and Exhibition opening

Location: Studio XX: 4001, rue Berri, suite 201 – between Duluth and Roy, métro Sherbrooke (550 m) or métro Mont-Royal (700 m).

Sunday May 8

Morning: Famous People (illustration workshop with Brad Phillips, ginger coons, …)
http://openclipart.org/packages-famous-people

Who are these Famous People? What are four versions of Che Guevarra, one single woman (and a statue) and the author of Fahrenheit 451 doing in the same collection? The category “Famous People” at the OpenClipart library is both monomaniac and all over the place, begging to be populated with inspiring rolemodels, shining stars, super-heroines and other top cats.
At this workshop amazing artists working with Gimp, Krita and Inkscape will get together to update the Famous People category from the OpenClipArt Library. Illustrators, fans or both please bring an image of your favourite celebrity and find out about how to create clipart with VIP status.
The OpenClipart Library is a wonderful collection of clipart dedicated to the public domain. It means you can copy, modify, distribute and perform all of it (also for commercial purposes) without asking permission.