Canvas premiere gives arts limelight at Rhino’s

Rows of metal folding chairs faced the stage, the only thing you could hear over the crunch of popcorn was the sound of guitar and slam poetry. It was the open premiere party of Canvas Magazine happening at Rhino’s, a celebration of both full pages and a full venue.

“I think the open event really ran with the idea of the publication in that it’s something that is open to everyone,” graduate student Kevin Steele said. “I think it’s a great publication and to open the event up to everyone was a great idea.”

Opening the evening was Lindsay Smith, who created a pleasant atmosphere with her acoustic repertoire of covers and originals. But by the time two-time slam poet world champion Anis Moigani took the stage, people were pressed to the walls.

“I think it was a success,” Canvas assistant director and committee member Dianne Osland said. “We really promoted Anis because he has such a draw and goes great with celebrating the arts.”

Moigani captured every eye throughout his set and each poem ended in fits of applause. His passion, wit and command of the stage allowed him to live up to his hype.

“I honestly didn’t know about him until planning this event,” Osland said. “But I watched him on YouTube and I thought he was great, and he was perfect for the
atmosphere.”

He said part of the goal of Canvas was exactly that — introducing people to aspects of art they didn’t know existed. He said the other part is to give artists a chance to share their work through a slick publication.

“Canvas is an already great publication, and I hope it grows to become even bigger and bring more artists,” Steele said.

After Moigani’s first set, he invited local band The Natives on stage to “tear it to shreds” so he could come back on and build it back up again before the night closed with The Calumet Reel.

Moigani said publications like Canvas are extremely important in reminding people that art is relevant in all of our lives and telling young people specifically that it’s okay to explore their imagination and share their work with others.

“It’s something larger than oneself,” Moigani said. “The arts is not a community of self but a unique dialogue between everyone involved, and it needs to be expressed.”