Scrap 'N Yap: using scrapbooking and collage as an artform
By Lindsey Rivait
Arts Editor
November 26, 2008
 Scrapbooking and collage are art forms that second year UWindsor Visual Arts BFA student Alex Kais wants everyone to properly recognize. Scrapbooking has grown significantly in popularity the past few years, so it’s only natural that scrapbooking events would evolve.
Kais is no stranger to scrapbooking or collage, and is now using his expertise to create a new scrapbooking event—Scrap ‘N Yap.
The concept came about when Kais and his friend Graeme spotted posters for Artcite’s monthly Stitch ‘N Bitch. Kais immediately thought there should be something for scrapbookers. Graeme suggested the title Scrap ‘N Yap.
“It stuck in the back of my mind,” said Kais, who then approached Artcite and the School of Visual Arts about getting Scrap ‘N Yap included with the monthly Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) and Stitch ‘N Bitch events.
Scrapbooking is an art form that serves to preserve personal and family memories in a visual manner. Scrapbooks don’t have to be about your camping trip or your cats. They can include concert photos and ticket stubs, newspaper clippings, letters, poems, photographs, recipes, quotes—basically anything the scrapbooker deems worthy of remembering and hanging on to.
“I scrapbook because I like to have visual catalogues of my life, my friends, and my many travels. I have been scrapbooking since I was in high school and have been to many scrapbooking parties,” explained Kais.
“When I went on trips for high school and vacations I would go all around the places we visited and collect as many things as possible and then create my own backgrounds for the beautiful pictures I took,” Kais continued.
Participants must bring their own supplies with them to the Scrap ‘N Yap, such as scissors, glue, glitter, magazines, and scraps. Kais said he will be bringing in some of his own scrapbooks so participants can look through them.
“They can come and create collages, work on scrapbooks, trade pictures, ideas, and create something that is visually interesting and lasts a lifetime,” said Kais. “I think combining scrap and yap is important because collage does have historical roots that stem back to the Dadaists. I think art can be formed into many things, and collage is a great way to express yourself and find new ways of creating ideas that can be incorporated in future artworks. I also find it very relaxing as well,” Kais explained.
Kais is available for tutorials during the Scrap ‘N Yap and is more than willing to help any newcomers. “The event is open to all people so the yapping varies to school projects, work, anything goes when your working on your scrapbook or art piece,” said Kais.
If scrapbooking isn’t your thing, there are other activities to work on at LeBel. The Stitch ‘N Bitch is a knitting/crocheting/sewing group. The event serves also as a forum for people to share ideas, techniques, and conversations with each other. Bring your own materials and projects.
ATCs are small works of art (2.5 by 3.5 inches) made to trade. There is no limit as to what they can be made from or how many you can make.
Even if you’re not interested in making your own project, you can attend for the conversation and to help others with their projects.
The next Stitch ‘N Bitch/Artist Trading Cards/Scrap ‘N Yap event takes place 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27 at the LeBel Gallery (UWindsor School of Visual Arts building on the southwest corner of Huron Church Rd. and College Ave.). The trio of events, which takes place the last Thursday of every month, is presented by Artcite and the UWindsor School of Visual Arts.
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