Canadian Dimension celebrates local radical heroes with "alternative celebrity cards"

In its January-February issue, Canadian Dimension magazine sings a hymn of praise to the city of Winnipeg which spawned it 47 years ago. And it has produced not only an issue all about Winnipeg and its roots but a series of eight, collectible "alternative celebrity baseball cards" that -- given its leftist roots and politics -- highlight Winnipeg's radical heroes of the past and present day.

What’s so special about Winnipeg? Why would we dedicate an entire issue of our magazine to this melancholy metropolis—a frigid blip on the Canadian landscape? Despite Winnipeg’s relative isolation and subzero clime, it has bred some of the most avant-garde art and rebellious politics.

The alternative celebrity baseball cards are designed by local artists, featuring such notables as Mitch Podolak, Indian Jack Jacobs, and Nick Ternette. The one shown above right is for homeless man Faron Hall, who received the Mayor's Medal of Valour for saving a teenager who had fallen into the Red River. On the back of the card, it notes wryly:

"Just a few months later, Faron again leaped into action and saved the life of a woman who had also fallen into his river. For his efforts, Winnipeg police took Faron to the drunk tank at the city's Main Street Project."

The issue, which will be on newsstands beginning next week, was guest edited by filmmakers Guy Maddin, Noam Gonick and writer Ria Julien.

“This is the city that gave us the general strike and the Riel rebellion, and today this radical spirit lives on,” says CD founder and publisher, Cy Gonick. “This issue is about a unique city that has, despite everything, given rise to some of the greatest artists, writers, activists and intellectuals in Canada.”

Included is an essay by Gonick, writing  about the city's alternative history, "from nineteenth century Jewish communists to twenty-first century aboriginal anarchists". Guest editor Noam Gonick writes a profile of the gay, radical founder of the Manitoba Theatre Centre, John Hirsch. Ed Janzen writes about the continuing vibrant Winnipeg art scene and explores why Winnipeg's art remains popular. He says, among other things that 

“Winnipeg artists and musicians make better boosters than its political and business leaders ever did.”