Art News
by Corey Matsumoto Skylight Art Studio & Supplies is an exciting new venture of David Perun. The bright, spacious studio space at 4482 Marine Avenue (downstairs from the bowling alley)is open to children of all ages for art classes, and to adults for art jams. The mission of Skylight Art Studio is to provide children and adults professional quality art materials and instruction in techniques to develop their artistic expression. 
As the name suggests, art supplies are also an importanty aspect of the business. To accomodate both business models in the same space, Dave has structured the store hours to eliminate art lesson distractions by restricting open hours to 11am–1pm. Among the great selection of art supplies is the availability of canvas by the foot for custom frame dimensions.
David Perun’s art training includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Quebec in Montreal with a major in sculpture and a minor in printmaking. He spent 14 years as a Property Master in Vancouver’s film industry working on props for over 30 hollywood productions. He and his family discovered and moved to Powell River in 2005. Perhaps one of the best aspects of Skylight is the wide open space and the ease of accesibility and interaction. During art jams, particpants are welcome to use paint or clay (all supplies are provided—just bring your painting clothes). Visit www.skylightart.ca for the weekly time schedule and for information about birthday party bookings. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 5th Avenue Studio and Gallery openned this summer at 4712A Marine Avenue. The Gallery hosts the work of two artists, Janet Blair and Donna van Eeghen. |
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Naturally in Nature. That is the title of a new local calendar that is now for sale in the community. This calendar shows the beauty and diversity of the Powell River area for tourists and locals. It also points out that environmental and economic sustainability for this community means valuing and preserving our wild spaces. The calendar was created and produced by Lesley Thorsell with the assistance of Melany Hallam of Maywood Design. The calendar has shots that were taken on location by local photographers and local models, including women of the Dragon Boat Paddling for Life. There are tips on health and wellness, which promotes breast health and environment health and the intricate relationship between them. Statistics show that 85% of cancers are environmentally caused and 15% are genetic; so, there is much room for preventative measures. Some funds will be locally used for Breast Health awareness for women especailly for teenagers and plans are in the works for a YOGATHON for next Spring. Pictures have been taken of Eagle River, Stillwater Bluffs, Myrtle Creek, Savary Island, Inland Lake, Mt. Diaham, a Certified Organic Farm, Texada, Inland Lake, Lund, Emma Lake, Powell Lake and Sunshine Coast Trail. Each page has a section focused on tourism, the environment and health. Proceeds from the calendar will go to the Pink and Green Campaign and the Malaspina Land Trust Conservancy Fund. The calendar is for sale at Powell River Tourism Office, Rocky Mountain Pizza, Vitality Wellness Clinic, Breakwater Books, Sunshine Coast Natural Alternatives, Tla’amin Community Health, Sliammon First Nation Administrative Office, Terracentric Adventures, Nancy’s Bakery, Sunshine Organics, Trendsessence, Aaron Services and Supply, Westview U-Vin-U-Brew, Paperworks Gift Gallery, and The Yoga Garden. |
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by David Parkinson The Malaspina Land Conservancy Society needs a logo or a logotypefor use on our letterhead, on our website, and on written materials promoting the work that we do. The prize for the winning entry is one lifetime membership in the MLCS with a cash value of $250! So not only does your imaginative artwork grace our future website, correspondence, brochures, etc., but you get to be part of this wonderful regional land trust as a lifelong cherished member. An effective logo or logotype conveys the nature of the organization that it represents. Here are some of the aspects of our work as a land conservancy that might help you come up with some visual concepts for your design: • Natural beauty: sea, sky, mountains, coastline, rivers and streams… all of the features of this region which we hope to preserve for future generations; • Preservation: of land, plants, and animals; of agricultural land and the traditional ways of producing food; etc. • Strengthening community: we hope to bring people together around the shared goal of preserving the places of beauty and meaning in this part of the world; • Sustainability, environment: a land conservancy keeps parts of the local environment safe from environmental harm. Criteria for entry in the competition: • Deadline: All entries must be received or postdated on or before May 1, 2009. • Who may enter: The contest is open to any person (except the judges!); and entrants can enter any number of submissions. • Format of entry: Either a black-and-white or colour logo is acceptable. It is preferable if colour logos can also be reproduced successfully in black and white. A sketch of the logo design is acceptable. The winning logo may be modified by MLCS staff. |
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by allofus To an artist, image making on paper is a process dependent on the paper available in the shops. Options are determined by the manufacturer’s product line, the medium, and the size of the piece you undertake. Now, at Wind Spirit Gallery, artist April White has gone a step further, to become independent of that limited array by producing her own paper. Using a by-product of the lumber industry, cedar bark, April is producing paper in her studio. Through collaboration with Argentinean artist Liliana Kleiner, the paper-making process has been demystified and taken to the grassroots level. Liliana travels the world, working with expert artisans from whom she learns while exploring the making of paper with indigenous materials in each country she visits. Hand-made paper is texturally unique. It differs from the uniform commercial product in that each piece is an original work of art in itself, bringing with it a character different from the overlaid screen-printed images. The primitive process employed and the traditional material used reflect the ancient ways of April’s Haida ancestors. The Haida traditionally used cedar bark for clothing, vessels, tools and ceremonial regalia. Staying connected with her culture, April is using the cedar bark paper as a substrate in the print-making process for her formline images of Haida Gwaii. The nuances of this paper pose challenges that in turn influence the creative process. |
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by Corey Matsumoto Two art exhibitions happening in February each involve collaboration between one or more artists to express a common element. Fused-glass artist Laura Kew has teamed up with painter Meghan Hildebrand to bring an exciting new exhibit to Bemused Bistro (4623 Marine Avenue) entitled Fusion Collusion. Working out of her studio-gallery space on 4690 Marine Ave (Pacific Reflections Glassworks), Laura has translated several of Meghan’s works into the tactile and vibrant medium of fused glass. Laura’s glass versions of Meghan’s paintings with amazing trueness to shape, color, and form shed a new light Also featured at the show are new original pieces from each artist. Fusion Collusion will be on display at Bemused Bistro until the end of February. Also this month, a new exhibition opens at the Community Resource Centre (4752 Joyce Avenue) entitled Faces of God. This exhibit opens February 4 with a reading by local author Allan Brown from his book Biblical Sonatas, and features works from over 12 Powell River artists. In the spirit of innocence, Faces of God invites the expression of spirituality through art, and is meant to encourage a progression from a mere tolerance of religious freedom to a greater understanding of the varieties of the spiritual nature within us. |
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Galerie Shampoo Motor is an underground operation—literally. A new art space has opened in Powell River. Tony Colton & Meghan Hildebrand, the “Shampoo-Motors”, have converted the lower floor of their Cranberry home into a professional gallery space. It is not a commercial or a public gallery. Meghan and Tony plan to rock the art scene by inviting the community to one-night events featuring new and challenging artwork. Artists will be invited to have a show and offer a workshop to locals. Meghan’s years in art school have resulted in a list of unique and successful artists, teachers and students who are pursuing art careers. This list will be a guide as Meghan and Tony search the scene near and far for artists who will stimulate and inspire the artists and art lovers of Powell River. The space debuted on the evening of January 28th with a spectacular exhibit of large, rich and expressive mountainscapes by new PR arrival Rick Cepella. Rick is an avid hiker and draftsman, illustrator and teacher. His large-format, bold, and varied brushwork and obvious love for his subject manifest in paintings radiating with awe of nature. Adding final touches to the evening, Johhny C on piano amazed all with a thrilling repertoire of classics, jazz and blues. New shows will be launched every few months, for one-night events. Beyond the openings, the exhibits can be viewed by appointment. Rick Cepella’s exhibit will be on the walls throughout the month of February. To view, please call 604-414-0556. |
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by Caitlin Bryant A night of fun, fantasy and sexuality returns for the 2nd annual Expose Yourself, an exhibition for exhibitionists. Come explore themes like romance, voyeurism, aesthetics, accessories/textiles, power roles, gender roles, sex industry, etc. Many pieces will be for sale. So, if your bedroom needs a little spice, bring your cheque book. This exhibition is one night only! We have a creative way for you to get involved this year: Eroticise That Object! I have 6 miscellaneous objects waiting to be eroticised and sold at a silent auction during the exhibition. Here’s how it works: contact me to arrange to pick an object out of the blind-grab bag; I’ll give you $20 for cost of accessories/supplies. Eroticise your object by Friday, March 20th, and bring it back to me for display and auction at Expose Yourself II. Voila! Ink Fected Tattoo and Body Piercing will be joining in the fun, showcasing provocative body art for men and women. Manzanita Restaurant will be shuckin’ lavishly un-pretentious Okeover oysters at the Oyster Bar. The Sex Pots will be back on the bar, shakin’ up the original panty remover…Gin Martinis. The usual suspects (beer, wine, champagne) will be available too. The event is scheduled for 7:30pm—midnight Sat. March 28th at 6261 Yew St., Townsite (below the Rodmay Hotel). Admission is $5 at the door. We are still looking for spoken-word performance, music, and 2- and 3-dimensional art submissions. And of course, the first 6 people to contact me get to participate in the Eroticise That Object! Please contact Caitlin Bryant at 604-483-1979 or ArbutusOils@groundswell.ca for info. |
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by Amy Sharp When Lilia Cardosa (an owner of the Old Courthouse Inn) bounced into my restaurant with a silly grin on her face, I knew something was up. “Amy, I have a fantastically fun idea for a fundraiser that you should do!” As if running the Manzanita restaurant and being a mom wasn’t enough! After checking out a few sites on similar fundraisers around the world, I was hooked. How many fundraisers do you know of that involve lingerie?  Many of us have been touched by cancer, either personally or through someone we love. I’m looking forward to spreading the b-word to local businesses who want to make a difference, not just to those who wear bras but also to those who like to see someone wearing only bras, by sponsoring Relay For Life, Team Providence. The Canadian Cancer Society provides leading financial support for cancer research and delivers community-based support programs and prevention information for all types of cancer through funds raised by the Relay for Life program. Here’s the deal: We are sending out an open invitation for bras, bustiers, corsets, or any other lingerie to be decorated as unabashedly as possible by anyone who feels compelled to do so. These will be displayed and auctioned off, with the proceeds going to Relay for Life, Team Providence. The Opening Night Gala Event is scheduled for March 8th, which happens to be International Woman’s Day. The gala events will be an evening of cocktails, passed appetizers, and music from two young local female singers. Both events will be held throughout the Old Courthouse Inn, not just in the restaurant space. |
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by Caitlin Bryant Coming up on March 15th is ‘Expose Yourself’, Powell River’s first-ever erotic art show.  This show was organised because of what I saw as the sum of my interesting-things-to-do-without-leaving-town inventory–boohoo, poor small-town us! Then it hit me. Why not? (This is one of the blessings of being in a small town: organising an event isn’t really out of anyone’s reach. If you can dream it and you can network, make it happen.) We have outstanding artists practising in many media and not many who are faint of heart. So I put out a call and the response was overwhelming. Submissions came to our little town all the way from the Big City. Apologies to all submissions that did not make it in this year–purely because we ran out of room! Thanks to all the participating artists: Karin Burch (silversmith), Douglas Enquist (glassworks/spoken word), Scott McMillan (paintings), Terry L. Brown (photography), Autumn Skye Morrison (painting), Passia Pandora (photography), Wolfgang Goudriaan (paintings), Eve Stocker (paintings), and Lilia Cardosa (photography). A big thank-you to Manzanita Café for supporting this event. The restaurant will be hosting a pre-exhibit dinner downstairs at the Rodmay Heritage Hotel at 7:00pm for March 15 only. Enjoy the oyster bar, drinks, a variety of artists and media with music by DJ’s Megs and Tony from The Blender (12:00 Fridays on Jump Radio). Admission to the show by donation (suggested $5). Call 604-483-4238 for info and dinner reservations. |
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