SPINS & NEEDLES

Spins & Needles engages and inspires communities through curated art and music experiences.

Spins & Needles is the independent art and music collective of PW Co-Directors Melanie Yugo (social practice and print artist) and Jason Skilz (DJ and music producer). Possible Worlds is our collective’s current project.

Our mission is to present, produce and create participatory programming and projects centred in graphic art, print and electronic music, within inclusive environments.

We specialize in public programming, event design, music and graphic art curation, music production, art education, and publishing. Our activities include exhibitions, art and music events, experimental music salons, installations, silkscreening workshops, and the production of artist editions including art prints and records.

Founded in 2005, our origins are in monthly gatherings in bars and cafes where the public was invited to listen to DJs and work on curated DIY art projects. Our collaborative practice continues to this day, motivated by the belief that everyone should have access to and participate in cultural life, and and that creating, enjoying, learning and community-building in art and music are all connected.

Our artistic vision is to be a leader locally, nationally and internationally in advancing graphic art and electronic music practices, and in championing alternative models to arts engagement that centre values of experimentation, sharing and inclusivity.

Selected Projects

ENGAGEMENT

DIY x DJ Nights
Events in non-traditional art venues (bars, clubs, etc.) combining DJs and art-making projects. Held across Canada and internationally.

National Gallery of Canada
Inspired Canada’s national gallery of art to produce Artsparks, a late-night event series based on the Spins & Needles model. Collaborated multiple times to host programming in conjunction with exhibitions.

Dance Dance Revolution
A pop-up, lunchtime summer dance party on historic Sparks Street in Ottawa. Spins & Needles provided the DJ music.

Canadian War Museum
Spins & Needles was invited by the Canadian Museum of History to design late-night interactive programming for their exhibition Camouflage: From Battlefield to Catwalk.

Canadian Museum of History
Spins & Needles was invited by the Canadian Museum of History to design late-night interactive programming multiple exhibitions, including In My Lifetime: Contemporary Aboriginal Art and Unique! 30 Years of Outstanding Crafts.

Nature Nocturne
Spins & Needles was invited by the Canadian Museum of Nature to design interactive programming for their late-night event, Nature Nocturne.

CARFAC Annual General Meeting
CARFAC invited Spins & Needles to design interactive programming for their conference pre-party. Creative manifestos and silkscreened tote bags were accompanied by DJ music.

Algonquin College
The creation of a large-scale silkscreened installation, in collaboration with Algonquin College fine art and design students for their end-of-year showcase.

LEARNING

Risograph Workshop
A Risograph how-to workshop for the Shopify’s graphic design team at their headquarters in Ottawa.

Silkscreening Program
Workshops in our studio and live events during which participants learn how to silkscreen artwork onto materials of their choice.

Druck Berlin Festival
Spins & Needles was invited to host introductory silkscreening workshops and provide DJ music at Druck Berlin, a large-scale print festival at Urban Spree.

Mobile Art Studio
The Possible Worlds Mobile Art Studio travels to various locations to host workshops and interactive events beyond our space in Chinatown.

CURATION

Print Culture
An exhibition higlighting artists in an emerging print scene that is developing in Ottawa-Gatineau. Presented in collaboration with Ottawa Art Gallery.

The Holiday Assembly
Spins & Needles designed an interactive late night program at the Canadian Museum of Nature, featuring DJ music, art installations, seasonal workshops and a holiday night market.

Record Label
An independent record label to showcase underground DJs and producers in the house and tech house genres. Launched in 2013.

Prints & Inks Canadian Edition
An exhibition of over 30 Canadian artists in print, illustration and design. Alongside the show was a pop-up shop, hands-on print activities, and a late-night DJ art party.

Prints & Inks Risograph Editions I and II
The 2016 exhibition and 2015 exhibition showcased publishing studios in North America, Europe, and Asia, with the Risograph printing machine at the centre of their practice.

Winterlude
Spins & Needles was invited to design month-long programming for Winterlude at several festival sites. Free outdoor interactive events combining DJs and workshops alongside a large-scale, winter-themed urban art/craft installation were presented.

Future of Good
Art programming and music curation for the Future of Good Global Summit, including an Art Bar, collaborative publication, live band and DJs.

613 Snack Time
Part food gathering, part art exhibition, and part zine publication, Possible Worlds and Spins & Needles explored the diversity of the snack world in Ottawa.

Possible Worlds
Our community-driven, artist-run independent art space, record shop, gallery and print studio. Featuring exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, a record shop and more.