What does NAAG mean? Neon Alligators Are Glowing? Nerf Animals Are Gelatinous? Northside Artists Always Get Some? Sorry one too many words. You decide.
Local art collective the Northside Autonomous Art Group ( or is  it  Nobody Argues About Girlguides or Name Arrr Amateur Golfteam)  or NAAG are in search of a name— again to go with their acronym. So they are planning a party this weekend, April 17 featuring local band Fist City, who share the group’s studio (located at 255-12C Street North)  with artists Andy Davies, photographer Mike Maguire, painter Chad Patterson and circuit board (sound) artist Nic deCosson. Calgary rock band the Pine Tarts will be there too and will likely play.  
Attendees are encouraged to bring their best explanations for the acronym NAAG, take home business cards, imbibe a few beverages and check out some of the cool new art happening at this new studio, which the group has been calling home for the past three months. Things get started around  8 p.m.
 There is a two dollar cover.

The University of Lethbridge’s artists are also showing off their work this weekend. There is a two day show and sale featuring numerous student’s works in the main atrium from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., April 14-15.

A lot of Lethbridge art aficionados were at the Bowman Arts Centre and the Yates for two new exhibits which opened Saturday, April 10.
A lot of people got into the mood for South Country Fair by examining some of the coolest shots taken during last year’s blast in Fort Macleod. The photos, including close ups, cool reflections, candid shots, shots of the fire spinners and shots of the performers are part of the “A Fair Shot — Images From the South Country Fair 2009”  which is on display at the Bowman Arts Centre until May 22.

The other room at the Bowman contains part one of the ”Making it Big” exhibit which also runs until May 22.
 Variety is the watchword for “Making it Big,” which, as the title indicates, includes large and oversized works.
There are several  cool pieces, some great portraits including one done entirely in crayon and a pretty landscape and portrait done in acrylic.

Lethbridge artists are “Making it Big” this month.
 A new display of oversized works from 20 local artist opens this Saturday at both the Bowman Art Centre and the Yates Memorial Centre.
“I knew we had a big arts community. There are so many people who make large scale pieces,” deadpanned Darcy Logan, artist and Bowman Arts centre curator, who was not surprised to receive 20 separate submissions from 20 individual artists. Logan’s painting is one of the fantasy themed works, which carries on with his Naglfar theme as one of his “bone” ships dominates the left hand corner of the work.
The only restriction was the pieces had to be a minimum of three feet by four feet.
“But most of them are a lot larger,” Logan observed, placing a beautiful seascape from Sylvia Klassen onto a wall.

He said most of the artists are  familiar faces though a couple are newcomers.