February 3 | 6-7PM | FREE | ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Join us for Bletcher Hour!

The Gallery’s critical reading group, named after our first librarian Hazel Bletcher, gathers for open discussion once a month. Readings explore key themes of the exhibitions and current events, with the intent to deepen our understanding of the artworks and their context within our community.

To ensure the safety of you and our staff, the February Bletcher Hour will be held digitally. We will gather via Zoom to discuss the preface to Vibrant Matter: a political ecology of things by Jane Bennett.

Jane Bennett is a Professor of Political Theory and Chair of the Department of Political Science at John Hopkins University. In her 2010 book Vibrant Matter, Bennett argues that political theory needs to do a better job of recognizing the active participation of nonhuman forces in events. She theorizes a concept of "vital materiality" that runs through and across all bodies, and argues that by recognizing the agency of all things - human and non-human - we could cultivate a more responsible, ecologically sound politics. This book was recommended by artist Mandy Espezel, who's solo show Body Longing is on display at the SAAG until February 6th. Espezel will be giving a talk and tour of their show on Thursday January 27. This will be an in-person and online event. The in-person event will have limited capacity and registration is required; please see the link for more details.

NEW for 2022!! Attend 8 out of 12 Bletcher Hours and receive a gift - your choice of a Bletcher Hour tote designed by Cindy Baker OR your choice of one publication available at the Gallery! Receive a Bletcher Hour bookmark at your first meeting and get it stamped at each monthly attendance.

Everyone is welcome to join these open discussions! Readings are sent as PDFs in advance of the event. Please contact Heather Kehoe, Publications & Programming Intern | hkehoe@saag.ca to sign up.