Grace Channer facts for kids

Grace Channer (born in 1959) is a talented African-Canadian painter. She is also a visual artist who works with many different types of media.

Grace Channer's Education

Grace Channer was born in Britain. She began her art studies at Queen's University in Canada. This was from 1977 to 1978.

Later, she earned a special diploma. This diploma was in Animation Filmmaking. She received it from Sheridan College.

Grace Channer's Art Career

Grace Channer has had a long and active career in art. In 1987, she joined other artists for an exhibit. This show explored how art can express identities and relationships.

That same year, Channer helped with a mural project. It was called Women On Site. Her mural was named "Black Women Working". You could find it at the Parkdale Library in Toronto.

Channer is part of the Diasporic African Women’s Art Collective (DAWA). This group supports African women artists. In 1989, she helped organize a traveling art show. It was called Black Wimmin: When and Where We Enter. She worked with Buseje Bailey on this project.

A film called Long Time Comin' was made about Channer. It also featured artist Faith Nolan. The film shows how both artists use their art to speak up for important causes. You can watch this movie on the ONF website.

In 1998, Channer took part in "Taking It to the Streets." This project put art in public places. She created posters for it. One poster was "It takes Courage to Imagine Peace." She made it with other artists. Another poster was about human rights.

In 2005, Channer's art was shown in an exhibit. It was called Tribute: The Art of African Canadians. Her painting Intolerance (1982) was featured. This large oil painting looks like old medieval art. It explores themes of power and social issues. Channer uses her art to show community scenes. These scenes often highlight social topics. She explores ideas like power, fairness, and different cultures.

In 2009, Channer's short film But Some Are Brave won an award. It received the Audience Award at a film festival in Paris.

Channer is also a member of the W5ART Collective. This is a group of artists formed in 2011. Other members include Buseje Bailey and Alexandra Gelis.

In 2012, Channer helped paint a huge mural. It was 100 feet long! The mural celebrated women in art and martial arts. It is in Toronto and is called KIA: Unified Movement of Power. It shows the strength of martial arts.

Grace Channer's Art Shows

Grace Channer's artwork has been shown in several important exhibitions:

• "Who Will Fight For Our Liberation," Power Plant Gallery, 1992.
• "Tribute: The Art of African Canadians," Art Gallery of Peel & Art Gallery of Mississauga, 2005.

Grace Channer's Awards

Grace Channer has received awards for her work:

• In 2009, her film But Some Are Brave won third place. This was at the Africa World Documentary Film Festival.
• Also in 2009, the same film won the Audience Award. This was at the 21st International Lesbian Feminist Film Festival of Paris.