Further SmibsTV coverage highlights young entrepreneurs and community leaders who were in attendance at the artsScene event launch. Episode includes interviews with Alana Williams (artsScene organization committee), Kristi Sainchuk (owner of Ginger Apparel), Cam Linke (organizer of BarCamp/DemoCamp), Denise Lefebvre (visual artist), Amedeo Pagliuso (owner 29 Armstrong), and Kris Harvey (The Collective).

Check out Amadeo, 29 Armstrong and other businesses this Saturday June 13th as they host the “Al Fresco Block Party,” which begins at 4:00 pm and is located at 104th street and 102nd avenue. Expect to find a variety of food, beverages, and entertainment as the businesses on 104th street showcase themselves in a block party style event that will be a night to remember.

Also look for Cam Linke as he hosts BarCamp this Saturday June 13th from 10:00am to 5:00pm on the 6th floor of the Edmonton World Trade Centre. If you’re interested in the tech community this is definitely an event you dont want to miss. In the spirit of the Smibs Network, it’s also a great forum to meet creative professionals, share ideas, experiences and potentially collaborate on current and upcoming ventures.

Paul Steier of Smibs talks to Poet Laureate and performing artist Cadence Weapon (Roland Pemberton) at the artsScene launch event. They discuss corporate involvement in the arts, how the arts scene in Western Canada is perceived and how he found success as an internationally recognized recording artist.

ArtsScene chair Ken Bautista and co-chair Michael Brechtel speak to attendees of the artsScene launch event

As a young creative professional I find myself continually looking for opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. I look for events where I can meet new people, share ideas and possibly collaborate. A few months ago my friends at RED the agency introduced me to a new not-for-profit called artsScene. artsScene believes that “strong creative and artistic communities are linked to innovative and prosperous communities” and it strives to encourage collaboration between business and the arts. The event launch was held Thursday, May 28 at Planet Z design studios. It showcased several local visual and music artists. Featured visual artists included Denise Lefebvre, Patrick Higgins and Shelby Wallace.

The vibe was pretty wicked as young business and creative professionals mixed and mingled while sipping on Heinekens, browsing the artwork and listening to some killer beats. Dj Marcus Coldeway held it down on the tables, while Edmonton’s newly appointed Poet Laureate Roland Pemberton a.k.a Cadence Weapon headlined the event.

ArtsScene Edmonton has several events designed to inspire interest in the arts, connect business professionals to the arts and recognize the arts. For more information check out their website.

ArtsScene’s commitment to engage the business and creative communities parallels the goal of the Smibs Network. Smibs is dedicated to creating an online community wherein creative and business professionals can network to share ideas, opportunities and expertise. The Smibs Network’s focus is on creating online professional networks where users have access to tips and tools for small business, while establishing online relationships that will lead to real world opportunities.

Stay tuned to SmibsTV for candid interviews and footage from the artsScene launch event.