Thanks to the South Asian Voice

tA quick thanks to the South Asian Voice, a Metroland newspaper distributed with the Guardian to some areas of the town. They mentioned our Fridge Front Gallery in the latest "In Brief" section, looking for exhibitors.

DeSerres 10% discount confirmed

Visual Arts Brampton President Keith Moreau was just talking with the manager of the Vaughan Mills DeSerres. Indeed, the store offers Visual Arts Brampton members as 10% discount off regularly priced items.

This is the same discount rate that Curry's offers, and like Curry's, the reduction does not apply to sales items.

For reference sake (and this is all according to Google Maps) from the studio to each art store, these are the distances:

• 17.2 km to Curry's Mississauga (755 Queensway East)
  
• 25.5 km to DeSerres Oakville (2501 Hyde Park Gate)
  
• 27.6 km to DeSerres Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Concord)
• 31.4 km to Curry's Oakville (353 Iroquois Shore Road)

Additionally, there is a Michael's 0.4 km away, and another 11.5 km away, but their prices are generally higher than at Curry's or DeSerres.

Note, this post was edited on 1:18 pm at January 6, 2008, to rid the distances of highways. It turns out the distances were longer with highways.

Guardian: "Designer featured at Artway"

Back on the 19th, Devere Wint was mentioned in The Brampton Guardian. On page 10 of the paper, it talks about Devere being the featured artist in 'Tis the Season.

Strangely, the article doesn't appear on the website. We're investigating.

Roberta Bondar Public School's art now on display

Keith Moreau just helped local artist/teacher Shabana Bhutta install an exhibit of works by Roberta Bondar Public School. The exhibit will be at Fridge Front Gallery from today until mid-January 2009.

Most of the works on display are by students in grade 5 or 7.

This is the school's third exhibit at Fridge Front. Their previous exhibits were from 15 October to 29 November 2005 and 6 to 19 April 2008.

Kahani art contest for kids

For any kids or parents reading the VAB blog, literary magazine Kahani has an illustration contest available. If you illustrate the first or second winning short story, you have the chance to be published in their spring 2009 issue, and you receive $50. Pakistani-American artist Ambereen Butt is the judge.

To enter, read the stories, create an illustration, and send it in with this form.

2009 youth classes

Spots are filling up for 2009 youth classes.

If you wish to renew for 2009, or sign up new, you might consider coming before December 20, when the award ceremonies happen, as after then may be too late.

6-8 year olds
9:30 to 11:00 am: 8 students signed up for 2009
11:30 am to 1:00 pm: 6 students signed up for 2009

9-12 year olds
One 11-year-old student has paid, but is yet to decide on a class time.
9:30 to 11:30 am: 12 students signed up for 2009
3:15 to 5:15 pm: 11 students signed up for 2009

13-18 year olds
1:00 to 3:00 pm: 17 students signed up for 2009

First posted on 18/11/08 at 9:53 AM, altered multiple times since.

Youth Achievement Award winners

Gold
Nicole D’Souza
Harveen Dulai
Navjit Dulai
Kavya Kaluarachchi
Priya Mistry
Ethan Peluso
Vick Pokhan
Mary Jane Seo
Makini Calliste-Woollard

Silver
Vishruti Dalal
Gurleen Dulai
Ranmeet Dulai
Courtney Davis
Rushi Gandhi
Sidra Kahloan
Milena Kulchenko
Anisha Mistry
Sophini Raveenthiran
Keshav Ramola
Jaskirat Sahi
Arooj Shahid
Tyler Singh
Natalie Stembo
Camilia Sukul
Debi Talukdar

Bronze
Gavan Braich

Life drawing to return January 13

Tuesday evening life drawing sessions will restart in the new year, on January 13.

Drawing and Watercolour with William Band

Drawing and Watercolour with William Band
Thursdays, February 12 to March 19, 2009
10 am to 2 pm
$60 for members, $75 for non-members

Join William Band early next year, and learn drawing and watercolour techniques. Learn how to read photos, and start with rough sketches to create a finished work.

Band has studied with respected Canadian artists including Alan Collier, Bill Stidworthy, and Franklin Arbuckle. After a successful career in commercial art, he returned to his first love, painting. William's art is based on his travels, from canoeing through northern Ontario lakes, to painting in Scotland.

Besides Visual Arts Brampton, William's workshop schedule includes stops across Ontario, as well as multiple times in Plain Field, Illinois.

Contact us to sign up for William's Drawing and Watercolour workshop.

Craigslist

Conrad now on our Zazzle store

The newest artist on Visual Arts Brampton's quickly growing Zazzle store is Conrad Mieschke. Check out his artwork on various products, ranging from shirts and hats, to mugs and greeting cards, even US stamps.

Zazzle is a print-on-demand store, and they ship the products within 24 hours of you ordering them. Visual Arts Brampton's store on Zazzle was created in late 2007, but only now be kicked into high-gear, thanks to modifications from the site which make it easier to upload works for sale.

Bridget Doughty's works now online

Works by the late-Bridget Doughty are now being put online, in a project by Big Folio Gallery. Works are sorted by subject matter.

The site will initially only feature currently unsold works, available for purchase at the gallery, but will eventually expand to previous works and her eight paintings in the collection of the Art Gallery of Peel.

Visit the quickly growing site, to explore her artwork.

2008 Youth Achievement Awards

The 2008 Youth Achievement Awards will be held Saturday, December 20, 2008 from 11 am until 1 pm, with the ceremony lasting roughly 11:20 am to noon. It will be held in the Visual Arts Brampton Creative Studios, as it was previous years.

There were 26 entrants this year.

This event is open only to those who entered into the competition, their relatives, and our selected volunteers. If you did not enter into the contest, please do not come to the studio this weekend.

Youth classes resume Saturday January 10, 2009.

Fridge Front: Sunny View to return

Sunny View Middle School will return to Fridge Front Gallery, from May 15-29, 2009. They previously display at the exhibit space in April 2007, showing their works relating to Value and One Point Perspective.

The schedule for Fridge Front now is:

• December 27, 2008-January 2, 2009: Roberta Bondar Public School
• March 9-20, 2009: Roberta Bondar Public School
• May15-29, 2009: Sunny View Middle School
  

WANT TO EXHIBIT?
If you'd like to have an exhibit of works at Fridge Front, just call us at 905-453-9142, or email us at visualartsbrampton@gmail.com, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Have a rough date range in mind, of when you'd likely be able to have a class/school/club exhibit.

Guardian Arts blog on VAB workshop

Back on Friday, Ashley Goodfellow at the Guardian posted "Me? An artist?" to her blog, where she comments on a Christmas card making workshop she took at the Visual Arts Brampton Creative Studios, talking about the process involved in creating the cards.

Fridge Front Gallery bookings

So far, Fridge Front Gallery at Shoppers World is booked twice this year. During unbooked times, the space shows Visual Arts Brampton youth student work.

• December 27, 2008-January 2, 2009: Roberta Bondar Public School
• March 9-20, 2009: Roberta Bondar Public School

Roberta Bondar is a returning exhibitor, having exhibited in October/November 2005 and April 2008. We welcome them back.

WANT TO EXHIBIT?
If you'd like to have an exhibit of works at Fridge Front, just call us at 905-453-9142, or email us at visualartsbrampton@gmail.com, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Have a rough date range in mind, of when you'd likely be able to have a class/school/club exhibit.

Keith on Daytime tomorrow

Group president Keith Moreau is scheduled to appear on Rogers Cable's Mississauga and Brampton's daytime program tomorrow, to talk about our upcoming Artway exhibit 'Tis the Season, and invite all Peel and area artists to display their Christmas, winter, and toy-themed artworks.

To the right is Devere Wint's new illustration, created specifically for the exhibit. He recently started creating on the computer program Corel Painter, and this is one of his first creations with the software.

Volunteer for VAB

Visual Arts Brampton now has a special site for volunteers, particularly teens looking to get their 40 hours completed.

• Become a "fan" of VABvolunteer on Facebook;
• Go through the notes, and reply to whatever opportunities you're interested in;
• When we're in need of someone for that particular position, we'll message you, to see if you're available to help;
• If you ever stop being interested in the opportunity, simply delete your post to the page.
  

VAB in Santa's Arrival Parade; photos posted

Previously, we mentioned that Visual Arts Brampton would be in the Santa's Arrival Parade at Shoppers World. The parade went quite well, and there seemed to be more people in attendance this year than either of the past two years.

VAB's entry featured some of our youth students in costume, including some students in costumes made from painted cardboard boxes.

Much to our surprise, we just found out today that we are one of the Holiday Spirit Award winners, meaning the group has received mall gift certificates, that we'll use to buy supplies for the studio. Our appreciation goes to Shoppers World for inviting us back to the parade, and for this generous recognition of our efforts.

The parade was Sunday, November 16, at 11 am. As promised, two live reindeer did lead Santa's sleigh around the mall. Pictures of his ground-bound steeds, Blizzard and Snow, are among the images in our Picasa photo album.

Artway hours "extended"

Shoppers World Brampton (home of Artway Gallery, Fridge Front, and World Art Gallery) has extended its hours for the Christmas shopping season. Hours are below... (Note that all three exhibit spaces are viewable before and after mall hours, as the mall prepares to open for the day, and closes down for the night.)

Commencing December 1st
Monday to Friday 9:30 am - 9:30 pm
Saturdays 9:30 am - 9:00 pm
Sundays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Fri Dec 19th 9:30 am - 11:00 pm
Wed Dec 24th 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Thurs Dec 25 - Mall Closed
Fri Dec 26 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed Dec 31 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Regarding Curry's discount for VAB members

At the end of the year, the discount cards Curry's issued to Bramptonians will become invalid. (They were issued in 2004, when the Brampton location was shuttered.) Visual Arts Brampton members still qualify for the Student Discount program, which has been around since the early-1990s, if not before.

Here's the details, as recently email to art groups:

Our new Student Discount program offers all students or art group members that show Student/Member ID at our Curry’s retail stores a 10% discount of all non-sale items (items that are at our everyday Regular Price). You will be pleased to know that this discount will apply to most products except during huge promotional periods like September’s Back to School Sale!

VAB to be in Shoppers World parade

Visual Arts Brampton is going to participate in the Shoppers World Santa Parade again this year. The parade marches Sunday, November 16, at 11 am. It starts in Winners Court, goes counterclockwise around the mall, ending back at Winners Court.

This Saturday, Nick will be asking for volunteer parade marchers from each class. Kids participating will be asked to wear a Christmas or fairy tale costume, 0r one of the cartoony box costumes currently being made. Millie will also be at the parade.

Two live reindeer, Blizzard and Snow, will lead Santa's sled through the mall, following numerous community groups.

Check out photos of past years of the parade.

---

Four students from the VAB classes have volunteered to march in the parade, in costume. We're looking for extra help, so if you're a high school student looking to get volunteer hours, contact us by e-mail or Facebook, we need people to:

• march in costumes, or
  
• serve as escorts to make sure those in costumes march safely.
  

Guardian writer blogs about the arts

Ashley Goodfellow, The Brampton Guardian's arts and entertainment reporter, has started a blog named What's On in the Arts. Started on October 30, the blog is already three posts in, and allows for comments.

Christmas card workshop at VAB

3 night Christmas Card workshop

Wednesday evenings, 7 to 9 pm

October 29-November 12

$30, base materials included

Design and produce your own Christmas card, using block printing and other techniques. This easy-cutting technique allows you to print multiple greeting cards, ready to send.

Instructor Keith Moreau has won an award from the Arts Etobicoke juried show for his printmaking, and his original prints are in the corporate collections of the City of Toronto, William Osler Health Centre, and Astral Media. He has taught for a couple of decades, for places including Visual Arts Brampton, the Living Arts Centre, and Curry's Artist Supplies school.

The workshop is of course going to be held at the Visual Arts Brampton Creative Studios (1 Bartley Bull Parkway, Suite 10, northeast corner of Hurontario and Steeles Avenue). Contact us at visualartsbrampton@gmail.com or 905-453-9142 to register.

Free screenprinting activity at Shoppers, Sat. Oct. 25

A Celebration of the Arts in Brampton (formerly Looking Up to the Arts) is on again at Shoppers World Brampton, a few Saturdays from now, with a theme of "Kids & the Arts". While there's no en-mass community activity this year, as there was with ceiling tiles and banners in previous years, there will be a bunch of activities in the Staples Court, for kids of the community to try.

VAB will be running a printmaking activity, details to follow.

The event runs from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on Saturday, October 25, 2008.

VAB demos at Complex this weekend

Come on out to the Peel Heritage Complex this Saturday and Sunday, for free access to the Art Gallery of Peel. The Art Gallery of Peel is on the Studios of Brampton tour. The gallery currently is displaying works by Mississauga sculptor Ryszard Litwiniuk.

Once you're done there, visit Visual Arts Brampton artists on the second floor of the museum. Art Gallery of Peel 2007 Juried Art Show People's Choice Award winner Debra Ali will be painting on Saturday, Paul Highgate illustrating with scratchboard on Sunday, and Keith Moreau will be printmaking on Sunday as well.

The tour is competing for eyeballs with the Milton Area Studio Tour, Dundas Studio Tour, Brant Studio Tour, Madawaska Valley Studio Tour, Tweed & Area Studio Tour, Haliburton County Studio Tour, Elora Fergus Studio Tour, Merrickville Artists Guild Fall Studio Tour & Sale, and Victoria Country Studio Tour. Not to mention, it's up against Scotiabank Nuit Blanche (6:52 pm Saturday to sunrise on Sunday).

EnviroArt exhibit extended

The exhibition of our first EnviroArt competition has been extended until Saturday, October 11, 2008. The following exhibit will be of works by students of Paulina and Emily's 6-to-8-year-old classes.

Life drawing breaks for election, on October 14

Election night in Canada, October 14, is a Tuesday. Life drawing will be canceled that week, and will continue as per usual on October 21.

Andrew Gilsinski has posted some of his life drawings, done at the studio sessions. His blog also contains concept art, character designs, pencil tests, etc. from his studies in Sheridan College's animation program.

EnviroArt winners announced

As promised, here's the list of winners for the EnviroArt contest.

First place went to Ethan Peluso for "The earth cries out, won't you help?"

Runner ups

• Olivia Pietrangelo for "Putting paper back into trees"
• Daniel Battaglia for "Without care today could become tomorrow"
• Ian Eubanas for "World BBQ Day"
• Paulina Su for "City Imprisons Nature"
• Stephanie Czolij for "Untitled"

For more coverage, check out The Brampton Guardian article "Enviro-Art winners announced".

EnviroArt has been judged

Yesterday at 1:00 pm, Penny Karas and Ashley Goodfellow judged the EnviroArt Contest for Visual Arts Brampton's Fridge Front Gallery.

Karas, the marketing manager for Shoppers World Brampton, and Goodfellow, the new arts and entertainment writer for The Brampton Guardian, looked over the 44 entries yesterday. They made their choices based on both the artistic merits and strength of environmental message. The two jurors were able to select their 6 favourites, one grand prize winner and five honourable mentions.

The grand prize winner will receive a $75 gift certificate to Shoppers World Brampton, while the others will receive $25 each.

The display has been put up at Fridge Front, but until the winners have all been contacted, we're embargoing any further details here, and on exhibit signage.

Stan Adams to be featured in "Rural Roots"

Former Visual Arts Brampton member and current Simcoe resident Stan Adams will be featured in Artway's next exhibit, Rural Roots. Now in its third year, the exhibit will include his oil landscapes, many of which feature Ontario's distinctive barns.

Today's issue of the Guardian includes mention of Stan's guesting in the article "Country visits the city in new exhibit". Also mentioned in this issue is the EnviroArt contest, in its final days for entry; see the article "Last call for submissions".

EnviroArt Contest

Visual Arts Brampton is looking for entries into its new EnivroArt Contest, to bring a green-message to Fridge Front Gallery in Shoppers World. No matter your age or skill level, we invite you to participate in the exhibition.

Entries should meet one of the following three themes:

• art depicting awareness of ecological/enivronmental issues
• art depicting humans' relation to/impact on the environment
• art created using environmentally friendly/sustainmental/reused media

All art must be no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches, and hangable by magnets. Any works larger than the maximum size, or three-dimensional, can be photographed.

HOW TO ENTER: To enter, drop off your artwork to the customer service desk of Shoppers World Brampton, between Sears Outlet and Winners, before 6 pm, August 30, 2008. On the back of your entry, legibly write a sentence describing how the piece fits the criteria. Also include your name and telephone number.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Artists of any age or skill level.

PRIZES AND JUDGES: TBA

Paul Highgate profiled

Read about Visual Arts Brampton member Paul Highgate on the Brampton Guardian website. Paul was interviewed by reporter Ashley Goodfellow, in an article published July 18, 2008. Paul's art is currently on display at Artway Gallery in Shoppers World Brampton, and at the Brampton Board of Trade offices.

Join us tomorrow night at the Rose

Thursday evening, head on down to the 2nd Annual Communities in Bloom Downtown Street Festival. The event highlights local events, restaurants, artists, retailers and entertainment, and will take place in Garden Square at the Rose Theatre.

From 6:00 to 9:30 pm, VAB will have demonstrations. From 7:15 to 9:30 pm, there will be a performance by Shakespeare in the Square.

At the Visual Arts Brampton booth:

• Local woodcarver John McCartney will be posing for various artists, all working on his portrait. If you'd like to join us, it's free to set up and draw or paint along.
  
• Member Debra Ali will be working on an acrylic painting.

More about the event at the Brampton Guardian website.

Carabram a success

As like last year, Carabram's Canada pavilion was again a success. The exhibit included artwork by Debra Ali, Marguerite Finlayson, Paul Highgate, Emily Kowalik, Conrad Mieschke, Keith Moreau, and Peter Scott.

In all, 40,000 people were expected to visit Carabram's 14 pavilions, many of them visiting Canada at the CAW hall on Regan Road. The Brampton Guardian's public photo database has pictures from many of the pavilions, including Canada. Among guests were a member of Canada's women Olympic hockey team and Duke Redbird of Citytv.

Out and About: Joe Fafard

Joe Fafard Retrospective work in now on display at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and it's certainly worth the visit.

Pictured is Mon père (1972), one of the many works on display at the exhibit.

A show description from Fafard's website:

For the first time, viewers will be able to see the full scope of this remarkable Saskatchewan artist. From his early caricatures, intimate portraits of friends and family members, and sculptures of cows and horses, to his large bronze commissions for private and public spaces, Fafard has steadily and rapidly developed the range and variety of his social and artistic concerns. The exhibition will feature about 70 sculptures with loans from the artist and from institutional and private collections across Canada.

Organized and circulated by the MacKenzie Art Gallery of Regina in partnership with the National Gallery of Canada.

The exhibit runs until September 14, 2008; it will be moving on to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Glenbow Museum, and Winnipeg Art Gallery through the rest of this year, as well as 2009.

Carabram's Canada pavilion to include VAB

Check out Visual Arts Brampton artwork at this year's Carabram Canada pavilion, part of Brampton's multicultural festival. Art on display will be by Debra Ali, Marguerite Finlayson, Conrad Mieschke, Keith Moreau, Mary Noble, and Peter Scott, as well as the late Bridget Doughty.

Canada Pavilion is at the CAW Local 1285 Union Hall, 23 Regan Road.

Passports can be purchased for only $8.00 per adult from the information booths at Shoppers World Brampton, Bramalea City Centre, Canadian Tire, Royal Bank, and some bus terminals throughout Brampton as well as from pavilion volunteers. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

VAB's display will be open:
Friday: 6 to 9:30 pm
Saturday: 1 to 9:30 pm
Sunday: 1 to 6:30 pm

Last year's display is profiled on the blog, as well.

VAB @ Communities in Bloom Street Festival

On the evening of Thursday, July 24, head on down to the 2nd Annual Communities in Bloom Downtown Street Festival. The event highlights local events, restaurants, artists, retailers and entertainment, and will take place in Garden Square at the Rose Theatre.

From 6:00 to 9:30 pm, VAB will have demonstrations and an activity table, details to be posted later. From 7:15 to 9:30 pm, there will be a performance by Shakespeare in the Square.

Last day for flower art show is Monday

Every year since 2002, Visual Arts Brampton has presented a display of floral art at the City Hall Atrium gallery space. This year's Floral Images of Flower City is coming to an end on Monday afternoon, so if you want to catch the creativity on display, you have until 4:40 pm to do so.

As with recent years, the exhibit was widely viewed by visitors to the Brampton Horticultural Society's flower competition, the day of the Flower City Parade, opening of the Farmers' Market, and Inzola pancake breakfast for the arts.

(Visual Arts Brampton brought Millie, the Brampton Arts Council mascot, to the Peel Heritage Complex's garage sale, to greet visitors.)

Mary Chorniuk to display at Unionville gallery

Visual Arts Brampton member and Toronto resident Mary Chorniuk (her portfolio site) will soon be having an exhibit in York Region, at the Kathleen Gormley McKay Art Centre.

"A pilgrim's journal of people and places" runs from July 30 to August 3, Wednesdays through Sundays at 197 Main Street in Unionville. The opening is Thursday, July 31, from 2 to 7 pm.

The gallery is overseen by the F. H. Varley Art Gallery, as it was once the Group of Seven member's home.

Animal exhibit now on display

Last night, Fin, Fur & Feather went on display at Artway Gallery in Shoppers World Brampton. The exhibit includes an airbrush painting by Kyle Langlois, a local artist who discovered the display through the recent Brampton Guardian article.

Other artists on display include Steph Czolij, Betty Jean Evans, Paul Highgate, Keith Moreau, Vicki Olszewski, Olga Rudge, Elizabeth Patrick, Marian Simpson, and Warren Simpson.

Canada Day: no life drawing

Most weeks, the Visual Arts Brampton Tuesday evening figure drawing sessions are in full swing. This coming week (July 1), however, we take a week off for Canada Day.

Ashley Goodfellow new Guardian arts writer

VAB would like to welcome Ashley Goodfellow to the community. Ashley is the new Arts & Entertainment editor at The Brampton Guardian, and has toured the studio during a recent Wednesday portrait session. "Animals come alive in art exhibit", about our Fin, Fur & Feather show at Artway, is her first article on the group.

Former A&E editor Tina Depko has moved on to the Oakville Beaver and Milton Canadian Champion.

VAB opts out of studio tour

Visual Arts Brampton has decided to opt out of this year's Studios of Brampton tour. While the first year was well received, the turnout was increasing disappointing with each year.

Had the cost of participation not increased, we might have considered participating this year, however the poor scheduling (including last year's Thanksgiving weekend dates) were also a key factor. The cost and effort required for the turnout didn't seem to be worth it.

Of course, we're continuing to go out to numerous events around Brampton. Just like Artway does, we're bringing the art to the people, which we feel is much more effective in engaging audiences.

Art available for your Google home page

Interesting link, you can now choose the work of top artists, fashion designers, etc to customize the Google home page on your computer. Available are names like Jeff Koons, Rolf Harris (see example), Ronnie Wood, Oscar de la Renta, Dale Chihuly, Coldplay, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Michael Graves, Philippe Starck, Robert Mankoff, Mark Morris, Oscar de la Renta, Anne Geddes and Tory Burch.

Try it out!

AGM results

The Annual General Meeting was held on Monday, April 28, 2008. The board for this annum consists of:

Keith Moreau, president
Marguerite Finlayson, vice-president
Pat Wepf, treasurer
Debra Ali, recording secretary
Peter Scott
Marian Simpson

Maria Dlubak chose to step down from the board.

"What's on" at Artway

Almost forgot: the current episode of What's on in the Arts, hosted by Tina Depko, is filmed partially at Artway. Produced every two weeks, it's viewable on the front page of The Brampton Guardian website, and it's currently the fourth video on the list.

Art Gallery of Peel Juried show on now

Last night was the opening for the Art Gallery of Peel Juried Art Show, started in 1974. The show, jurored by Ivan Jurakic (curator, Cambridge Galleries) and Anna Yuschuk (artist), received 350 entries, 49 of which are on display. Prizes went to:

• Ben Pinkney for Brad, oil on linen; John Cutruzzola Award for Best in Show
• Susan Dain for Miraflores II, acrylic on canvas; Colony Ford-Lincoln Award for Best Painting

Three paintings received juror's awards:

• Fausta Facciponte for Emma for $1.15, photograph
• Kal Mansur for Untouchable, acrylic in acrylic box
• Helen Pravda for Mother, conté on paper

The exhibition is generously supported by the John Cutruzzola Juried Show Endowment Fund and Colony Ford-Lincoln.

Among the works on display is a statue by area artist Sarah Chomko, whose Luscious exhibition at AKASA Gallery was previously mentioned on this blog. Various Visual Arts Brampton members entered into the exhibit, but weren't accepted. Last year's People's Choice Award went to Visual Arts Brampton member Debra Ali, which she had worked on for a few months, including at an event at Shoppers World.

Keith to judge Catholic school district show

Visual Arts Brampton president Keith Moreau will represent our group as a juror for this year's Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board art show, held at the Mississauga Civic Centre. Showcasing works by high school students from over 20 schools, last year's exhibit featured over 350 works.

Other people presumed to be jurors this year include representatives of the Mississauga Arts Council and Art Gallery of Mississauga. Mayors Fennell and McCallion are also tentatively booked to judge. Keith will be judging for the "Exemplary Printmaking Award".

The show, Images 2008, runs from May 12th-20th at the Mississauga Civic Centre. Opening Night is May 13th from 7-9 pm.

New Trillium grant for VAB

We can officially announce today that Visual Arts Brampton has received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

In their words, our grant is: "$10,000 over one year to support the delivery of new media and video-on-demand workshops for children and adults in the community by purchasing new computer equipment and helping to obtain instructors."

To break that down:
- we're getting new laptops which will allow us to restart our digital art training in the youth classes, and start workshops for adults,
- we'll be interviewing members about their art, using a digital video camera, and making those video segments on our website,
- taping segments about the studio, its programming, events, and exhibits, all of which will be available on our website,

Most importantly, we will be making a series of high definition video art instructional "vodcasts", which will be available where ever, whenever, to whomever. At least one 3 to 7 minute episode will be released each week for at least a year.

These workshops can be watched online as high quality full-screen streaming video, or subscribed to and downloaded through RSS feeds or iTunes, so that they can be watched offline on your computer, portable media player, burned to a DVD to watch on your TV, whatever.

Anyway, this is just a "soft announce", we won't be making too much of a deal about this project, until we have more to show for it.


More about Trillium and their grants

We are in the Halton-Peel "catchment area"; these 27 grants for our area total of $2,630,800. Across the province this year, Trillium's annual budget is $110 million, and will be further increased to $120 million by 2009-2010. [See Halton-Peel press release]

Ontario Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll noted to Trillium in a press release that “Our government is committed to fostering healthy and vibrant communities, right across Ontario. These Ontario Trillium Foundation grants will help build a stronger province by fuelling local economies and improving the quality of life of Ontarians.

Annual General Meeting: Monday, April 28, 7:30 pm

The 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Visual Arts Brampton has been scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2008 at 7:30 pm.

The AGM includes the election of the Board of Directors, a review of VAB events over the last year, and current finances. It is important to attend or fill out a proxy (to allow a member in attendance to vote for you), to ensure we have a legal quorum.

Just 10 days until Juried Art Show entry starts

Easily one of Ontario's most prestigious juried art shows, the Art Gallery of Peel 35th Annual Juried Show is just ten days away.

The Gallery is extremely accommodating, as you can actually submit art to the show over an entire week, from Monday, April 14 to Sunday, April 20, at any point during gallery hours. Also, it's still just $15 to enter, $12 for members.

Artist Anna Yuschuk and Cambridge Galleries curator Ivan Jurakic are both jurying.

According to the Peel Heritage Complex, the show "frequently showcases artists on the tipping point of their careers." Almost half the entrants are from outside of Peel. Debra Ali, a Visual Arts Brampton member, was the People's Choice Award winner last year.

Awards
· Best in show, $1000
· Juror's award, $750
· Colony Lincoln Ford Award for Best Painting, $350
· People's Choice Award, $50

Links
· Juried art show office site
· Entry form

Local Notes hosted by former student

You can tell the VAB youth classes have been around a while, when one of the "junior class" (8-12 years old) students ends up hosting a television series. Radha Tailor recently became the host of Local Notes Brampton/Mississauga.

The show airs weekdays from 6 to 6:30 am, and from 12 noon to 12:30 pm.

(Interestingly, Local Notes Dufferin-Caledon is hosted by Jessica Miller, who posed for our portrait bunch during an event last summer.)

Keith, Pud on Rogers Daytime

Keith Moreau and Pud appeared on Rogers Mississauga/Brampton's Daytime yesterday, talking about Laughlines 10th anniversary, Steve Nease, and the group in general. The clip should appear, as streaming video, on the Daytime webpage archive.

Daytime is a "Local talk-show featuring community guests from Brampton and Mississauga." It's hosted by Gurdeep Ahluwalia and Kim McCleary.

Steve Nease helps launch Laughlines 10

Steve Nease was photographed drawing Pud at the Oakville Beaver this week. A similar photo was taken by the Oakville Beaver itself, with the possibility of appearing in the press.

This, as mentioned before, is the tenth Laughlines exhibit so far, and all ten have featured Steve's works. On April 19, Pud will star at an event, at Shoppers World.

This event is listed in April's City Parent magazine.

Earth Hour

Just so you know, VAB is turning off its lights for Earth Hour 2008.

It seems ridiculous to post this, as quite simply, we always have the lights off when the studio isn't open. It's been that way since the studio moved to 1 Bartley Bull Parkway in 1992. It's just commonsense, to not rack up an electricity bill.

Oh, and Artway Gallery, Fridge Front Gallery, and World Art Gallery are also technically participating. They aren't shutting off their lights, because they don't have any. So over the past three years, they've been "carbon neutral".

Comment from Nick Moreau
Frankly, not only is it ironic that people are burning up gas to go to Earth Hour events, but that in Australia, they had an Earth Hour hot air balloon (video).

For starters, the Melbourne Herald Sun says that one balloon burned up so much gas, emitting so much carbon dioxide, that an additional 10,000 lights will have to be turned off to make up for it. Less obviously there's a world helium shortage, and useless back-patting hot air balloons like this put MRI machines at eventual risk. A second, rarer type of helium is also at risk, despite the possibility that it could provide us with a "clean, virtually infinite power source."

Don't get me wrong: if you don't normally turn off the lights when they aren't being used, please participate in Earth Hour. Just participate a bit more regularly than once a year. -- Nick Moreau

Laughlines event moved to April 19

April 19th at Shoppers World, Visual Arts Brampton celebrates 10 years of Laughlines, an annual exhibition of cartoon and humourous art. Every year of the exhibit, we've featured Steve Nease, whose editorial and political cartoons appear in papers province-wide.

• Draw your own comic strip, to take home, or leave it for display at Fridge Front Gallery.
• Colour a picture of Pud and his family.
  
• Meet Pud himself, courtesy of City Parent magazine.
• Meet the Brampton Arts Council mascot, Millie the Artbug.

Painting waterscapes with acrylic paint

Painter Mary Noble will be teaching a 6-week workshop through March and April, at the Visual Arts Brampton Studio. The workshop will focus specifically on painting waterscapes with acrylic paint. The workshop runs from 10 am to 2 pm, and costs $85, plus materials.

Out and About: AKASA Gallery, York University

Luscious is an art exhibition by fifth-year York visual arts & kinesiology student Sarah Chomko, and will be held at the AKASA Gallery the first week of March. The exhibition is based on three definitions of the word "luscious": Sweet and pleasant to taste or smell Having strong sensual or sexual appeal; seductive Richly appealing to the senses or the mind.

An opening reception Monday, March 3, from 7 to 10pm, will provide an opportunity to fully explore the theme: combining luscious food with luscious art. The gallery is located in the Student Centre, at the east end of the food court.

Gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm.

Art Gallery of Peel Juried Show form online

The Art Gallery of Peel’s Annual Juried Show is one of the most popular shows of its type in the province. In the past, artists have been entitled to submit one or two works for a non-refundable fee of $12 for members; $15 for non-members. This year, submissions will be limited to one piece per artist with the entry fee remaining the same. This will allow the same number of artists to participate but not create the excessive volume of entries that can overwhelm the jurors’ decision making process.

This year, the Gallery is fortunate to have the expertise of artist Anna Yuschuk and Curator of Cambridge Galleries, Ivan Jurakic, in adjudicating the show. Submissions will be received at the Gallery from April 14 - 20, 2008 and the opening reception and awarding of prizes will take place on April 30 from 8 to 10 p.m.

Entry forms are available online or at the Gallery.

For further information, call, 905-791-4055 ext. 6211.

Daniel Francavilla wins citizenry award

We'd like to congratulate former Visual Arts Brampton youth student Daniel Francavilla for being named one of winners of The Brampton Guardian's 2007 Brampton Junior Citizen of the Year Award. Currently in grade 12, according to the Star, he "has a passion for social justice, carried out through his organization ACCESS Charity, which helps children in the developing world receive an education."

He founded and runs the ACCESS Charity (which is short for "Allowing Children a Chance at Education with School Supplies"); according to their website "formally underway in March 2006, ACCESS has helped many children in at several schools with uniforms, shoes, and supplies." Recently, they built a playground and shelter at a Colombian school. Recently, he wrote an article for the Toronto Star's Global Voices column, on obesity and hunger, and also wrote about teen apathy toward world issues.

Daniel won two bronze medals with VAB, as a student in 2002 and 2003.

Humberview Secondary School on display

Humberview Secondary School of Bolton (Caledon) is on display now, at the Fridge Front Gallery in Shoppers World Brampton. It's actually our first ever Caledon exhibit (aside from Mayfield, which is sort of on the border). The Caledon Citizen and Rogers Dufferin-Caledon are both set to cover the show; we expect the newspaper to publish the article Friday, and Rogers to air the segment Thursday, but those are just tentative dates so far.

The exhibit continues until February 16th.

Alex Rodway continues on one of the VAB fridge doors, but we have new works on the themes of Special Arrangements (still life) and Black History Month, both featuring works from the three main VAB youth classes.

Coming up at Fridge Front are Parkway Public School and Earnscliffe Senior Public School, E-Arts Program. Both exhibits are organized by VAB teen members, the first by Emily, the second by Alexandra; in both instances, it's their previous school.

Scott Maxwell dies

A Visual Arts Brampton member for a few years, Scott Maxwell died Friday, after having brain cancer for 21 years.

Scott was one the VAB members in the Art of the Automobile show, sponsored by the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada, that toured auto shows in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. It was his first ever juried show entry, in fact, his first entry into any show other than Artway.

He joined the group at least by 2004, entering a two original pen and ink illustrations into the Snail Mail Show; he entered other scratchboard, pencil, pen and ink drawings and wooden sculptures into our Artway Shoppers World shows. Users of our studio may remember his woodcarvings, one of which depicted an eagle, and hung in our main drawing and painting area for a few years. His last showing with VAB was the Wheels exhibit, for which he was briefly mentioned in the Guardian.

Death notice for Scott, in The Brampton Guaridan.
Webpages for Scott, on Make Everlasting Memories.

Photos of plaque for Bridget

Here are two photos of the plaque Visual Arts Brampton fundraised for, in commemoration of Bridget Aube-Doughty.

View a larger version of Keith by the tree, or the plaque itself.

Millie meets Dora

This weekend, Visual Arts Brampton participated in the Recreation and Leisure Show. We gave kids Valentine's Day colouring cards, printed for us by the Shoppers World location of Staples. The display walls featured reproduced images of member works, and we had numerous inquiries.

The highlight of the day for most kids in the mall was meeting Dora the Explorer. Brampton Arts Council mascot and frequent Visual Arts Brampton event guest Millie Artbug met her at the end of the day, on her Centre Court stage. Thankfully, the lineup was only to Laura Secord at the time Millie got in line; for at least two of the three hours of the appearance, it stretched half the length of the mall, literally.

(Dora was to take photos with 300 kids minimum; considering many met her in batches, and she stayed on stage most of the day, it's more likely she met 600-800, at least.)

2008 Home Assignment list, for the youth classes

The 8-12 and 12-18 year old youth classes all have "home assignments" to do throughout the year.

The list is below, but if you're wanting to print it, we strongly advise downloading this PDF, as it saves paper. (This PDF will open in any version of Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader, a free download from Adobe.)

---

The list

1. A collection
2. Appliance
Stove, fridge, dishwasher. A stand-alone freezer counts, but it's pretty boring, just a box and a
handle.
3. Art supplies in a glass
4. Container with objects in it
Jar of pickles, bin of action figures, etc.
5. Crumpled currency
Paper money, mildly crumpled, not so much we can't make out the fact there's a person or scene, plus writing on it.
6. Cutlery
This means the same as silverware; forks, spoons, knifes, sporks.
7. Dishes
Must be in a sink, at sinkside, or in dishwasher.
8. Electronic device
Television, MP3 player, nose hair trimmer; something that either needs to be plugged in, or
has batteries in it.
9. Eyeglasses and hairbrush, next to table lamp
10. Fastners
Buttons/zippers/hooks, on clothing, etc.
11. Your favourite treat
12. Food display
Either actual food in your house, or packages of food at a supermarket, in a “point-of-purchase” display unit.
13. Holiday items
Any cultural or religious holiday.
14. Indoor toys or game
15. Jewelry
16. Mode of travel
Man-made or animal, anything other than your feet.
17. Open drawer
Must be from above, so that we can see into it.
18. Pet in a container
An animal in a cage or carrying container, a fish in a fishbowl or tank, a dog on a dog bed, a cat in a litterbox.
19. Raingear
20. Stuffed animal on a chair
21. Table set for guests
Kitchen table, dining room table, picnic table, deck table, tea party.

You'll find it outdoors

22. Branch of a tree
Cut, or attached.
23. Containers in a recycling box
From above, of course.
24. Garden with gardening tools
Lawn aerators, hoes, hose, shovels, etc.
25. Park
You must show a path of some sort.
26. Playground equipment
Teeter-totters, slides, monkey bars, etc.
27. Scene from a window
Make sure that it's really obvious that we're looking through a window, and not just at a
yard or landscape, or a photo in a frame. It can be any window, though, not just at your home.
28. Sports or recreational equipment
Team sports, solo activities, etc. (Despite the category, it can be indoor sports equipment too,
like squash or ice hockey.)
29. Your house, from the outside

Open-ended

30. Rhyming objects
A bell and a wishing well, a ladder and a bowl of cake batter, a cat and a hat (no Dr. Seuss characters, please.)
31. Same object, twice, the second time changed in some way
The exact same object, some how changed the second time you draw it. (Rotating it doesn't
count.)

Out and About: Peel Heritage Complex

There was a strong turnout for the interesting retrospective of Huibert Sabelis' works at the Art Gallery of Peel. As described by the Peel Heritage Complex's newsletter, "Sabelis' rich visual language draws on his experiences in Indonesia as well as his native Holland and adopted homeland, Canada. This exhibition surveys his work in various media including painting, printmaking and tapestry."

Both the Hugh Van Melle Trio, which provided music throughout the night, and the Balinese dance performance, which was a finale to the speeches by dignitaries, were very entertaining.

Visit Sabelis' website.

This is our first Visual Arts Brampton video blog; it's only 14 seconds long, but it's a glimpse of what's on.


We will have an exhibition catalog available for in-studio viewing; ask Keith or Nick.

Vaughan Juried Exhibition

There's a Vaughan Juried Art Exhibition that we just discovered a pamphlet for. Open to anyone in the GTA, the deadline is March 14, 2008. The exhibit will be at the City Playhouse Theatre Lobby in Thornhill. Art is to be submitted as a JPEG on CD, and there's a $20 entry fee.

The pamphlet says that the City of Vaughan is starting a municipal art collection, and is using the show to scout out purchases.

There is a webpage about the exhibit, but you can also visit the studio to take a look at the pamphlet.

Life Brand Bear ends his run as mascot for Shoppers Drug Mart

We just noticed this last week: the Life Brand Bear is no more.

Why is it relevant to VAB that the Shoppers Drug Mart corporate mascot is gone? The essentially nameless character was designed by member Peter Emslie, way back when.

For the last few years, the Life Brand Bear only appeared as the tablets in the Life Brand Chewable Multivitamins, and on the same product's box. At his height, he was even a helium inflated parade balloon who appeared locally at the Brampton Santa Claus Parade (until they went for their night-time format) and even a time or two in the Calgary Stampede Parade.

When informed of its demise, Peter told us last night that he designed the character when a staff member at Disney's art department. He still illustrates children's picture books for the company. (Elmer the Safety Elephant was created by an animator working for Disney in 1930s, however it wasn't created through Disney itself.)

The new bear on some baby and child targeted Life Brand products is to the right, Peter's is on the left. Peter's survived a few decades, which is longer than many advertising characters.

Also related to Peter, you can now watch videos of him drawing a character, online.

Tonight, at the Peel Heritage Complex

The opening reception for "Huibert Sabelis: A Retrospective" is tonight, from 7 to 9 pm, at the Art Gallery of Peel, part of the Peel Heritage Complex. According to Strata, the member newsletter, "Sabelis' rich visual language draws on his experiences in Indonesia as well as his native Holland and adopted homeland, Canada. This exhibition surveys his work in various media including painting, printmaking and tapestry."

The reception, hosted by assistant curator Judy Daley, will feature a Balinese dance performance and music by the Hugh Van Melle Trio.

Attending the opening are Mr. Bambang C. Gunawan (Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia) Mr. Johan S. Kramer (Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands), and
MPP for Kitchener-Waterloo, Elizabeth Witmer (former Deputy Premier of Ontario).

Clarkson @ Artway, in the media

Sunday's issue of The Brampton Guardian featured our current Artway exhibit, on page 5.

Masters of their craft
The Clarkson Society of Artists exhibition at Visual Arts Brampton's Artway Gallery runs until Jan. 25. Specializing in watercolours, several of the group's members, such as Lise Genova, left, Eydie Koopman, centre, and Z'Anna Keele have chosen their favourite paintings for display. Artway Gallery is located in the northwest end of Shoppers World Brampton, 499 Main St., S. Visual Arts Brampton was founded in 1986 and has run this display space since 1998.

Photo by George Beshiri.

The image was also cropped, and placed in the three stories highlighted on the front page. The photo currently (as of January 15th, 2008) appears full-size on the front page of The Brampton Guardian website.

The Mississauga News also photographed the installation that night, but hasn't found space to publish the images yet. Rogers Brampton / Mississauga was to shoot a segment on the exhibit today, but was diverted by the stabbing at Chinguacousy Secondary School, in Bramalea. First Local plans to reschedule the taping.

Artist's work lives on in tribute

I just realized this article slipped by, without me including it on the blog. - N.M.

Artist's work lives on in tribute
The Brampton Guardian
Thursday October 18 2007
TINA DEPKO

BRAMPTON - There are many people who probably never had the chance to meet the wonderful Bridget Doughty, but they have likely seen one of her pieces of art.

Doughty was one of the original members of Visual Arts Brampton. Throughout the past two decades, her works have been included in many of the group's art shows. She was known among fellow artists for her variety of subjects, particularly Brampton landscapes, as well as for her mastery in a number of different artistic media, from pastels to coloured pencil.

Doughty passed away on Jan. 24, 2007 at age 79. A show called Tribute to Bridget Doughty honouring her extensive output is on now at Artway in Shoppers World until Oct. 26.

"The show is a nice cross-section of works showing who she was," explained Keith Moreau, president of VAB. "Everything she did was so beautiful and exquisite."

The show includes more than 30 pieces by the local artist. They were selected from a vast collection that is currently under the care of Frances DeGrace, Doughty's daughter.

"I helped hang the show and it was really emotional when we looked at the finished display," DeGrace said. "She was such a prolific artist. It was so great to see all her pieces on display."

Doughty came into art later in life, but DeGrace said her mother was always artistic.

"She'd make clothes, get together with other women to do lots of crocheting and she would paint birdhouses, which were always the best in the neighbourhood," recalled DeGrace, who was one of six children in the family. "She also helped us with drawing and other art assignments, so we got really good marks in school because of her."

When Doughty finally found time to paint during her later years, the family was not surprised, according to DeGrace.

"It was such a pleasure to see how much happiness she got from painting," DeGrace said. "It was also good for her because it boosted her confidence. She was very humble about her artwork, so when people said they liked it, she was flattered."

Two years ago, in an interview with The Guardian, Doughty recalled receiving an easel, brushes and a set of oil paints in 1979 from her eldest son, Simon.

"I was so happy," she told the paper in 2005. "I started painting and I didn't stop."

The family is planning to donate Doughty's collection to a local gallery to make her artwork available for future generations of art lovers.

For information, contact Visual Arts Brampton at 905-453-9142 or visit www.visualartsbrampton.com.

Rec and Leisure Show on February 2, at Shoppers World

February 2 is the annual Recreation & Leisure Show at Shoppers World. VAB will be there, with demonstrations of some sort, and a colouring table/meet and greet with Millie, the Arts Council mascot.

The show always features activities, March Break programs, and summer camps. Dora the Explorer is doing a meet and greet in Centre Court from 12 noon until 3 pm, and will pose for photos with at least 400 people.

Fridge Front: Golden Opportunity

This Friday, we install "Golden Opportunity" at the Fridge Front Gallery. The show will feature three of the gold medal winners from the 2007 Visual Arts Brampton Youth Achievement Awards. All were (and still are) teen class students.

On display will be Alex Rodway, Makini Calliste-Woolard, and Michelle Alonso.

Studio of Brampton Tour 2008 date set

The Studios of Brampton Tour is scheduled for October 4th and 5th, 2008. That's the weekend before Thanksgiving, which will hopefully increase our numbers compared to last year.

New photo uploads

Santa Claus Parade
View as individual images
View as a slideshow
View on a map
View in Google Earth

2007 Youth Achievement Awards
View as individual images
View as a slideshow

Clarkson Society of Artists show goes in tonight

Tonight is the installation for the Clarkson Society of Artists exhibition at Visual Arts Brampton's Artway Gallery. Specializing in watercolour, thirteen of the group members have chosen their favourite paintings for display until January 25.

The Clarkson Society of Artists is a non-profit organization that runs workshops with professional instructors, on Wednesdays from September through April of every year.

This is Artway Gallery's fourth annual invitational exhibit; previous featured exhibitors include Jack Reid, Stephanie Czolij, and the Halton Woodcarvers Assocation.

Artway Gallery is located in the northwest end of Shoppers World Brampton, at 499 Main Street South. Visual Arts Brampton was founded in 1986, and has run this display space since 1998.

The Star's "What's On: Galleries" section

While our Artway Gallery and Fridge Front Gallery listings have been appearing for a few months now in The Toronto Star, and on thestar.ca, this week's listings are a first to our knowledge.

We're mentioned in the closing shows section—Friday is when 'Tis the Season comes out; our annual invitational show for the Clarkson Guild of Artists is listed in the opening shows section; and W.G. Davis Senior Public School's exhibit at Fridge Front is in the Continuing & Long Run Shows section.