Millie to attend Rec & Leisure Show

Adding onto the last post about the Shoppers World Recreation and Leisure Show, we've confirmed that Millie, the Brampton Arts Council mascot will be attending, to help attract attention to the Visual Arts Brampton booth. Previously, she had attended the Shoppers World Santa Claus parade.

Crisis Centre of Peel benefit

The Sexual Assault / Rape Crisis Centre of Peel is holding a benefit for their services. According to Community Information Partners Peel (part of PINET), the Crisis Centre:

Serves women who have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives. Services include 24-hour crisis and support telephone line, individual and group counselling, accompaniment services to hospital, police station and court, public education and awareness, information and referral.

We don't have the event information with us here, so we can't share the details of when, where, and how to buy a ticket just yet.

However, Visual Arts Brampton's portrait sessions is offering prize; one attendee will win the chance to be painted by all of the portrait bunch. They get to keep whatever their favourite painting of the day is.

Recreation and Leisure Show

Debra Ali, Nick Moreau, Michelle Alonso, and Alex Rodway will all be helping out at various times one week from today, at the VAB stand in the Shoppers World Recreation and Leisure Show.

Shoppers World Brampton will be hosting a Recreational & Leisure Show on Saturday, February 3rd from 9:30am to 6pm. The show will consist of recreational organizations such as sports clubs, dance/art programs etc. We will also be promoting March break programs, summer camps and other leisure activities. Registrations will take place the day of the show.

At noon, 1 pm, and 2 pm for twenty minute sing-along shows is Blue, from Blue's Clues. (photo source)

Obituary: Bridget Doughty

As appeared in The Brampton Guardian 2007-01-26

DOUGHTY, Bridget Passed away peacefully at the Peel Memorial Hospital, Brampton on Wednesday January 24th, 2007 at the age of 79. Beloved wife of Graham. Loving mother of Walter Aubie, Lee DeGrace, Frances DeGrace, Joyce DeGrace and Carol DeGrace. Stepmother of Susan Doughty, Doug Doughty, Nancy Crighton and Ross Doughty. Proud grandmother of 11 and great- grandmother of 4. She will also be missed by her brother Martin Aube. Predeceased by her son Simon DeGrace. Bridget will be remembered for her many contributions to visual arts in Brampton. Friends may call at the Ward Funeral Home, 52 Main Street South, Brampton on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church on Saturday at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Meadowvale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.

Remembering Bridget Doughty

Bridget Doughty died yesterday, 24 January 2007.

Bridget was with Visual Arts Brampton since its April 1986 inception, when Palette of Peel merged with us. She was a regular at the daytime still life sessions, helping keep the timeslot active.

She was the recipient of a 2003 City of Brampton Arts Acclaim Long Term Service Award, for her many years of volunteering for the group.

In 2005, VAB had a special display of her work at the studio's Golden Pheasant Gallery. The Art of Bridget Doughty was her first solo exhibit in 20 years.

• Her biography, on the VAB website.
• Two photos of Bridget, posted on the group's photo album
• Artist Bridget Doughty makes everyday items come to life, The Brampton Guardian, 15 June 2005

VAB is planning to purchase a plaque from the City of Brampton, to be placed at the base of a tree, in the park of her family's choice. We are now accepting donations, to prepay for a spring placement.

More new books, part 5

• Britney Spears' Heart to Heart, Britney Spears (before she became her current self)
  
• Peterson Field Guides Eastern Butterflies, Paul A. Opler and Vichai Malikul
  

New links to teen works

Gold medal winner Michelle Alonso has a deviantART account, we've just learned.

http://slooshy.deviantart.com/gallery/

Anyone else have websites we don't know about?

New photos online

The still life the youth were drawing last week:
www.flickr.com/
photos/
55759550@N00/
tags/bottle/

CD cover projects by the youth classes:

www.flickr.com/
photos/
55759550@N00/
tags/cdcovers/

and Canadian stamps:

www.flickr.com/
photos/
55759550@N00/
tags/canadianstampdesign/

More new books, part 4

• The Complete Screenprint and Lithograph, John Ross and Clare Romano
• The Complete New Techniques of Printmaking, John Ross and Clare Romano
• Lectures on Art, Alphonse Mucha
• Silkscreening, Maria Termini
• Durer, Allan Braham
• Quebec Nostalgie, Bobby Atkinson
• Artist at Work, Zoltan Szabo
• Lithography, Richard Vicary
• Lithography, Renee Loche
• Screen Printing on Fabric, Valerie and Roberta Clayson
• Simple Printmaking, Cyril Kent and Mary Cooper
• The Guide to the Understanding of Painting, William Gaunt
• Graphis Annual 77/78, Walter Herdeg
• Lithographic Prints from Stone and Plate, Manly Banister
• Prints from Linoblocks and Woodcuts, Manly Banister
• New Media in Printmaking, John Bickford
• Introducing Linocuts, Jane Elam
• Gaughin, Paul C. Nicholls
• The Art of Print Making, Erich Rhein
• Introducing Monoprints, Frederick Palmer

Brampton Bulletin dead

The Brampton Bulletin is now officially dead. They published an online only issue January 4, prepared an issue for press the next week, and "between technical issues and cashflow problems", it's dead as a doornail, no planned returns.

Morning youth class CAPPED

The morning youth class for 9 to 12 year olds is capped as of today. We have reached full capacity, there is absolutely no more room under any circumstances.* There is, however, still spaces into three other classes:

• 6 to 8 years old, 9:30 to 11:00 am
  
• 9 to 12 years old, 3:15 to 5:15 pm
• 13 to 18 years old, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
  

* We will consider making an exception if you're directly in line of succession to the British Throne, solely because we could rename the group the Royal Arts Guild of Brampton or something like that.

---

Note that we are now at capacity, not over capacity. The above text still applies.

The Brampton News: Artist explores visual inspiration

Brampton - While dedicating long hours to her passion, Stephanie Czolij wants to keep things light-hearted. “I often insist on keeping things fun while trying to fulfill assignment requirements.”

In her fourth and final year at University of Guelph, Stephanie is close to completing her Bachelor of Arts.

Her levity ties many of the works in her current solo exhibit at the Artway Gallery together.

Well over two dozens of her drawings, paintings, etchings, block prints, computer graphics, and mixed media works are on display from now until January 26th. The collection on display, titled “Visual Ramblings”, draws from various personal inspirations, ranging from the Baroque and Renaissance, to various artists throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, to the contemporary imagery of instant messaging graphics.

Stephanie was originally a student at St. Thomas Aquinas, and for two-and-a-half years, Visual Arts Brampton’s teen classes.

Free, Artway Gallery is located in the corridor on the west side of Shoppers World mall, between The Bay and the food court. Shoppers World is located at 499 Main Street South, at the intersection of Hurontario and Steeles Avenue. Hurry though, as the short-run exhibit is only on for another two weeks.

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This article is still available on The Brampton News.

The Brampton News: VAB youth classes return, expand

Brampton - Last Saturday, Visual Arts Brampton's (VAB) youth classes started up for the tenth year running. New is a class for six to eight year olds, added onto the two existing 9-12 year old and one teen time slots.

The youngest class, both in longevity and student age, is taught by Ilichna Morasky, currently a student at SheridanCollege. This soon to be BA of Art (Illustration) hold the distinction of being the most creative student Keith Moreau has ever taught.

Moreau has taught many hundreds of young students through the group's classes, but literally thousands of adult and youth across the GTA, feels that despite stiff competition, Ilichna easily earns the title.

There's been demand for a 6-to-8-year-old class ever since the inception of the youth division of the group, Moreau says. The only problem was a lack of teachers to take the role. While he could think of many possible candidates, Ilichna was the most consistent, interested, and willing. After guest teaching the weekend classes last year, he knew the concept had its match.

The studio was renovated over the Christmas break, allowing Keith and volunteers to install new flooring and remove dividing walls, opening the space up for more students. The group thanks manager Ray Bourque at RONA Home & Garden's Bramalea location for his continued support of the group.

The goal of the fifty week workshops are to build up the students skills in diverse artistic mediums, styles, and subject matters, instead of just one narrow-minded topic.

Despite the fact classes have already begun, art loving kids, tweens, and teens can still come on board. Either teacher will personally get them caught up with the rest.

Offered is Morasky's session at 9:30 to 11:00 am, for six to eight year olds, Moreau's two timeslots for nine to twelve year olds at 9:30 to 11:30 am or 3:15 to 5:15 pm, and his teen classes from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.Classes run at the VAB Creative Studios every Saturday until mid-December, for $250.

For more information on the classes, or to register, call (905) 453-9142, or email visualartsbrampton@gmail.com.

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The article is still available on The Brampton News.

The Brampton Guardian: A rambling artist

From the Wednesday, January 10th, 2007 issue of The Brampton Guardian.

Stephanie Czolij is the featured Brampton artist in Visual Arts Brampton's Artway in Shopper's World. Her exhibit, which is on display until Jan. 26, is called Visual Ramblings. The show includes drawings, paintings, prints and digital works. Czolij is entering her final semester at the University of Guelph.

Commonwealth contest for kids

The Commonwealth Youth Programme is calling young people between 15 and 29 years of age, to enter its 2007 art competition.

‘Youth Empowerment’ is the theme of the CYP art competition.

The competition is open to all Commonwealth residents.

The competition invites youth to produce artwork that could be used for a new CYP publication entitled, ‘The Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment’. This publication is a framework document for CYP’s work and will be widely distributed all over the Commonwealth.

The overall winner of the Commonwealth Youth Programme art competition will be presented with a £200 prize by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, or his representative. The award ceremony will either take place at the pan-Commonwealth office in London, at a regional centre, or at a national event.

The winner will receive an acknowledgement at one of the official launches of CYP’s publications, and will also get a special mention on the CYP website.

The top ten runner-up entries will receive a Commonwealth Youth Programme certificate.

Submitted artwork will be judged on the interpretation of the theme as well as technical quality. All designs used will be fully acknowledged and will include the name of the artist.

Competition entrants may wish to take one or more of the following headings as their inspiration:

The PAYE 2006-2015: Action Points and Indicators

1. Develop and implement measures to promote the economic enfranchisement of young people

2. Strengthen social support systems and collaboration between key stakeholders in youth empowerment

3. Strengthen Ministries, Departments and legal frameworks for Youth Affairs

4. Promote the participation of young people in decision-making

5. Promote positive role models and foster young people’s self-esteem

6. Take action for equality between young women and men, and for youth in special circumstances

7. Promote peaceful and democratic environments in which human rights flourish

8. Provide quality education for all

9. Improve access to information and communication technology (ICT)

10. Promote health, development and values through sports and culture.

This competition, the first of its kind in CYP history, was introduced by Dr Fatiha Serour, Director and Head of Youth Affairs, in a drive to make CYP’s publications more attractive to young people. “This competition will challenge young artists to produce designs that will change the face of CYP’s publications, to make it more appealing for young people to pick up and read”.

The artwork could take any forms, such as: hand work, illustrations, cartoon, graphic design, photography and so forth.

Deadline for submission is Friday 9 February 2007. All entries must be received on or before this date to be considered for this competition.

The artwork must be authentic, and the young applicant must be the owner of the copyright(s) entered. By entering artwork into the competition, the artist agrees to grant a royalty-free non exclusive licence to the CYP, its affiliates, and sponsors of the competition. CYP’s decision on all matters relating to the competition is final. Should the quality of entries fall below the standard required, CYP reserves the right not to award prizes.

Only winners will be contacted. Entries will not be returned or acknowledged. CYP accepts no responsibility for entries lost, damaged or delayed in the post.

Please note that the overall winner will need to provide proof of age. Artwork submitted should include the artist name, age, country, and the category of artwork (hand work, graphic design etc).

Please send art design with entry forms to Diane Mensah-Bonsu by email: d.mensah-bonsu@commonwealth.int, fax: 0207 747 6549, or by post to:

Diane Mensah-Bonsu
Youth Affairs Division
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House, Pall Mall
London SW1Y 5HX,
United Kingdom

Youth classes so far...

We so far have 46 youth members...

• Six to Eight: 2
  
• Kids Morning: 18
  
• Kids Afternoon: 9
  
• Teens: 8
• Unknown class: 5
  

...however we don't have cheques and forms from everybody. For example, I count 15 heads in today's afternoon class. Make sure that you get the forms in, in the next few weeks.

Artway: Stephanie Czolij

Running at Artway from January 6th to 26th, Visual Ramblings consists primarily of work created by Stephanie Czolij at the University of Guelph. Currently in the final semester for her Bachelor of Arts Honours, Stephanie was a VAB youth class member for 21/2 years.

At Guelph, she is majoring in Studio Art with a minor in Art History. She tells us:

"In my art historical studies, I’ve been most interested with the Baroque and Renaissance periods as well as the art and culture of Ancient Greece. In Studio Art I have had the opportunity to investigate a variety of art forms, but I’ve concentrated on drawing, computer graphics, and have most recently developed a greater interest in painting."

The exhibit includes drawings, paintings, prints and a couple of digital works. She believes the pieces show her development as an artist over the past few years, and the techniques and styles she experiments with and develops.

The majority of her work is fairly light-hearted--Stephanie insists on keeping things fun while trying to fulfill assignment requirements. Much of the work also reflects her interest in illustration.

Pictured is "My Masterpiece", based on a Roy Liechenstein, and a painting featuring Bambi and Mickey Mouse, called "Untitled".

At Fridge Front: Three Gold winners

Currently on display is the art of three of our gold medal winning students: Michelle Alonso, Alex Rodway, and Victoria Seo.

Check out 97 of Alex's works at his deviantART account... atothex.deviantart.com/gallery

To the right is a digitally coloured version of his Captain Jack Sparrow pencil drawing.

Relating to the Fridge Front Gallery, we are looking for single classes or entire schools to exhibit at the space. If you are a parent or teacher, and you think a group exhibit would be great, let us know. Phone us at (905) 453-9142, or email us at visualartsbrampton@gmail.com

More new books, part 3

Three new additions to the bookshelf...

• The Everyday Art of India
• British Military Helicopters
  
• The Art of Hanna-Barbera
  

The last title is great for both the TV classics like the Flintstones and Scooby Doo, but also for the wide range of styles and topics drawn for shows like the Marvel-ous The Fantastic Four, forgotten spin Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, and feature film Heidi's Song.

Also new is the fact we have a rolling bookshelf for the vast majority of the image research books. It will be available during Monday, Thursday and Friday morning open studios, Thursday evening open studios, Tuesday evening life drawing sessions, and of course any time during the Saturday kids classes. As a VAB member, you can check out any of the books, to read them or paint from them at home.

New floors at studio

Come on in any time to see our new wood laminate flooring. Thanks to Keith Moreau, Luis Barrios, Martin Wigginton, and Craig for their time in installing the panels, it's much appreciated.

Also much appreciated is the discount received from RONA Home & Garden's Bramalea location at 2830 Queen Street East. Rona has previously supported us last year, with the construction materials for the youth and animation units.

If you're planning on doing a major home renovation, ask to talk to store manager Ray Bourque. He's offered to discount any large purchases made at this location, if you show proof of Visual Arts Brampton membership.

Click to view location and hours.

Welcome Patti Foley, Craig Fleming

New to our group this year is Patti Foley. A Bolton resident, she runs Foley's Town and County Photography. Check out her work at www.foleysphotography.com

Craig Fleming is also new to the group. He's participated in Artway shows since early last year, but this is his first annum as a member. Check out his work at www.geocities.com/bramalea1972artist or at bramaleaartist.deviantart.com/gallery

(Just a reminder, all memberships are due immediately.)

Classes start Saturday

Kids classes start Sat. Jan 6.

Like always, the first class is in perspective. All you need is a pencil, eraser, and preferably some paper. (Not a sketchbook, because this is a series of rough exercises, not finished works.)