Art in the Villa

The 2008 Art Show held on November 20th - 22nd was a big success with 24 exhibiting artists and a nice turn out from visitors, some as far away as Oshawa. It was great just to wander around and look at the artwork and socialize with my fellow artists, to enjoy a few laughs with my old friends and also make a few new ones.
This had been my first big show to assist in organizing, and also to exhibit in, so I really valued the honest feedback from the artists and visitors alike. Looking back there is a few things I would have changed, but overall I think we were all pretty satisfied with the results.

I couldn't say what was my favorite as they all appealed to me in some way or other. I had the pleasure of having my exhibit right round the corner from Colin Merriam, and out of the many paintings he'd brought, what really stood out for me was a great conversation painting of a rustic chicken shed with three brightly feathered chickens analyzing a single egg in the straw. It is as though you can just hear them clucking away among themselves,

"Who did that?" "Well, I don't know but it wasn't me!"

All in all it was a wonderful experience for everyone, and I'd like to share some photos I'd taken from the show. I went to the show early on the last day and took the opportunity to take them while there was not yet any visitors. Sadly there are a few exhibits missing, as the pictures didn't turn out so well.

Seniors residence host art show

By ELIZABETH YATES, EXPOSITOR STAFF

It seems an unlikely venue for a wide-ranging exhibition of contemporary art.

Charlotte Villa is a retirement residence on Darling Street, its central location allowing seniors to walk to the library, parks and the theatre if they are able. Now, they need only travel downstairs to sample a cultural offering from 24 local artists.

The show, which welcomes the public, came about because the home wanted to be part of downtown's cultural renaissance, says marketing director Arden Redfern.
"We wondered: 'How can we do that?'

"By holding an art show.'"

The next step was finding artists to participate. Google helped Redfern discover painter and graphic designer Vanessa Fraser, who reached out to counterparts in the area.

In all, two dozen signed up, providing the exhibition with a wide range of artistic expression. Viewers will see local landscapes, portraits, copper-wire sculpture, leather art, stained glass and more.

"I think people will be surprised there are so many talented artists all in one city," says Fraser, noting that contributors range in age from 30 to 70, including established professionals and first-time exhibitors.

"If I walked in the room, I'd be thinking: Wow. There are so many different types of art and artists."

The selections include two portraits by Fraser: one of musical icon Gordon Lightfoot, the other of acclaimed African-American poet Maya Angelou. "I really look forward to seeing how people react," says the organizer, who encourages people to attend tonight's opening reception and meet the artists. Fraser finds herself a bit nervous before the show, as she hasn't exhibited much before. But the graphic designer, painter and stained-glass artist is concentrating on pursuing art full-time.

"It's putting me in debt," she says with a laugh.
"But I do it because I can't help it. I'm driven: it's something I just have to do."

While Redfern hopes Charlotte Villa's residents will enjoy the exhibition, it's also aimed at engaging the public -- especially all the university students living nearby.

"We try to be community oriented," says Redfern. "With the student population surrounding our building, this could be a way to reach out to them as well."