Recreating Creativity: Visual Arts - theHumm September 2020

CHANNELS at Sivarulrasa Gallery

From September 2 to October 9, Sivarulrasa Gallery is pleased to present CHANNELS, featuring works by artists Deborah Arnold, Elaine Carr and Wendy Robertson. “Channels” suggests waterways or pathways; a transmission of frequencies or ideas; explorations of both inner and outer worlds. The exhibition can be viewed in person during regular gallery hours, Wednesdays to Sundays from 11am to 5pm.

Deborah Arnold creates evocative sculpture with chlorite, alabaster and other forms of stone. “I feel a fundamental connection to stone,” she says. “Stone has always been the starting point for my work. As a material it embodies strength and history while possessing an innate grace and power”. By incorporating steel or copper into the base of her works, she also combines her organic forms with references to our industrial culture.

Elaine Carr’s work examines geographic and topographic narratives of land and water as they interact with human lives. She builds up drawings and mixed media works, piecing together fragments from the present and the past, from historical and geographical data, collected photographs, cartography and memory. Her focus is on the Northern Hemisphere, with specific interest in the in the Great Lakes Basin and the Arctic.

Wendy Robertson’s work is inspired by the natural environment. Her gaze is often drawn to micro-environments with specific attention to negative spaces and the intricate interplay of colour and texture. Her paintings combine patterns in nature with techniques of abstraction to transform ordinary objects, such as a collection of rocks or pieces of tree bark, into immersive experiences for her viewers.

On Wednesday, September 9 from 7–8:30pm, Deborah Arnold, Elaine Carr and Wendy Robertson will join in live via Zoom to talk about their work and inspiration at an Artists’ Talk & Virtual Vernissage. You can join from the comfort of your home through a video link that can be accessed on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Please email the gallery at info@sivarulrasa.com and we will send you the link. For more information, visit sivarulrasa.com . The gallery is located at 34 Mill Street in Almonte.

Happy Anniversary, Strévé

Cheryl Straby, clothing designer and owner of the beautiful Strévé Design Gallery in Perth, will be holding a special Fashion Show on Sunday, September 13 at 2pm in her backyard… which just happens to be the beautiful Stewart Park! This show marks Cheryl’s 33 years in business, and corresponds with the opening of a new exhibit at Strévé by abstract artist Karen Goetzinger called Beauty in the Inconsequential.

The Fashion Show will be a mix of clothing from over the past 33 years, and will also feature Queen Bee Millinery as a special guest. Donations to The Table in Perth will be gratefully accepted. If the weather doesn’t cooperate on September 13, the rain date is Sunday, September 20 at 2pm. Beauty in the Inconsequential runs from September 10 to October 31.

The (Virtual) Perth Autumn Studio Tour

The 2020 Perth Autumn Studio Tour is going virtual and will begin on October 10.

Considering the current state of the world due to COVID-19, the members of this collective of local artists are adapting to these changing times and bringing the tour right into your living room. It will be a change from driving the country roads lit in their fall colours and having a delicious lunch at the Brooke Valley School, but your ability to browse and support local artists is easier than ever.

Franc Van Oort, Susie Osler, Dunn Sohn, Brent Kirkham, Anne Chambers, Rita Redner, Zoë Lianga, Catherine Orfald and Willa Murray are the members of this artist-run tour. You can reach them via perthstudiotour.ca and their personal websites as well as through social media.

This year the online-only tour will run from October 10 to 18, when many artists will be available by appointment for you to pick up online purchases. COVID-19 safety measures will be practised, and each artist will inform you of their policies when appointments are made.

While you are always welcome to browse each artist’s website before the launch date of October 10, the artists will be reserving pieces to release during the October 10–18 online studio tour.

You can expect the same notable quality of work you have seen in the past, with the modern ease of being able to shop from the comfort and safety of your home. In past years, many guest artists have been present on the tour, and there were many applications this year for both the established and emerging artist category. The decision was made however to run a pilot online tour with the hopes of being able to return to the physical tour next year.

This longstanding event is one-of-a-kind artist-run tour, which means that it really reflects the work of the people involved. It is a grassroots authentically artisanal tour featuring unique pieces sold by the artists. As the world continues to change, the artists have not stopped making and are excited to offer the tour in a new form. Stay tuned for more updates to come via their website, on Facebook and Instagram @perthstudiotour.

Artists Add Online Colour to Expressions of Art

Twenty-six local artists have been selected by an independent jury to participate in this year’s Expressions of Art Online Show and Sale hosted by the West Carleton Arts Society. Expressions of Art, which has been celebrated as a physical art show annually for more than 25 years, will be presented as an online show this year from October 9–31. The physical show was cancelled due to COVID concerns. A preview of the online show will be available mid-September. A new show website has been established at wcasonlineshows.ca .

“We have a wonderful cross-section of art in our online show this year,” says Ginny Fobert, chair of the show. “Our artists represent a variety of media, from oil, acrylic and watercolour, to photography and glass. It is a great representation of local and regional art, with styles that appeal to everyone.”

The three-member jury, independent of WCAS, reviewed all submissions and provided scoring results which determined entrance into the show.

“We are thrilled to welcome back some long-time favourites and are excited to add a number of newcomers to the show,” adds Fobert. Harpist Natalie Hoffmann is providing musical accompaniment.

Lynn Melbourne — A Gift for People - theHumm September 2020

By Sally Hansen

Art… and Soul

Re-gifting is frowned on in some circles, but when your gift is a talent for capturing the character, the strength and the internal beauty that people wear on their faces, sharing that gift becomes an act of kindness, empathy and generosity. When tragedy struck in March at Almonte Country Haven, a long-term care home with 82 residents, local portrait artist Lynn Melbourne used her talent to reach out to the devastated residents, their families and their caretakers.

......

Recreating Creativity: Visual Arts - theHumm September 2020