1812 event at Shoppers World Brampton, March 31

Visual Arts Brampton youth students and select adult artists will be drawing from War of 1812 reenactors. Adult member artists from the group are also invited to come and create.

The event will be at Shoppers World Brampton, in Centre Court, on March 31 from 1 to 5 pm. (Appropriately, Centre Court is also home to Laura Secord.)

The  reenactors at the event are being organized by Richard Feltoe, the curator and corporate archivist for Redpath Sugar Limited and is active as a living history reenactor, re-creating the life of a Canadian militia soldier from the War of 1812. His latest book, Redcoated Ploughboys: The Volunteer Battalion of Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada, 1813-1815, will be released in March.

Monday, Civic Holiday, studio is closed

For Simcoe Day, tomorrow, the studio will be closed.

Open studio sessions resume on their normal schedule Thursday, August 4. Tuesday life drawing continues, as per normal. Wednesday portrait sessions return in the fall.

Shoppers World Brampton is open tomorrow, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Check out the recently installed Drawing in Colour exhibit, at Artway Gallery near Winners, and the touring floral art show, at Artway Invitational Gallery, near Zellers.

Carabram's Canada pavilion a success as always

Visual Arts Brampton member Ryan C. Thompson was sure drawing a crowd, pardon the pun, Saturday night at the Carabram's Canada pavilion. In this picture he's demonstrating his marker technique for the crowd, with the end result going to some lucky children attending the event.

VAB has its 25th anniversary floral art show displayed at the three-day event, the second stop on its tour. The works are now installed at Artway Invitational Gallery in Shoppers World.

Many thanks to the artists who came to volunteer and those who came to draw, including Stephanie Czolij, Paul Draper, Lucy Feng, Keith Moreau, Bill Riopka, Francesca Riopka, Victoria Riopka, Ryan C. Thompson, and Jacqueline Veltri.

Many thanks as well to the hosts and organizers of the Canada pavilion, CAW Local 1285. It's always a pleasure working with Leon Rideout and the rest of the folks in this organization, they should be commended for the work that they put into everything, every year, to schedule all the performances, activities, vendors, and displays.

More pictures of this event are available at the bottom of our Floral Art Show photo album.

Animal art by Charles Weiss, others on display at Artway

Weiss installing his art, Thursday afternoon.

Charles Weiss is the featured artist at Artway Gallery this month, in our show "Fin, Fur and Feather". Running daily until July 29 at 6 pm, the show features his drawings, paintings, and sculptures of fish.

A freelance artist, Weiss' illustrations appear in magazines, newspaper, and on television. The artist is pictured during the installation of the show, Thursday.

Also on display are works by Merlene Boyce, Paul Draper, Betty Jean Evans, Francesca Riopka, Victoria Riopka, and Jacqueline Veltri.

Artway Gallery is in the northwest corner of Shoppers World Brampton, near Winners. The shopping centre itself is at Highway 10 and Steeles Avenue, at 499 Main St South.

St. Issac Jogues school art on display at Silver Clips

Currently on display at Silver Clips Artworks Gallery is artwork by St. Issac Jogues Catholic School, part of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.

The school is named after a French Jesuit Priest who came to New France as a missionary at age 29, in 1636. According to the school website, "St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Elementary School is located in a growing, newly developed area in north Brampton. Our diverse population of 375 students, is comprised from a large number of families who have recently arrived from various areas. St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School is a caring school and community environment that stresses inclusion and acceptance of others, commitment to our catholic faith and high academic standards."

Silver Clips Artworks Gallery is located across the hallway from Artway Gallery, at the northwest corner of Shoppers World Brampton. Shoppers World is located at 499 Main Street South, at the corner of Hurontario and Steeles.

Local harpist Moira Nelson to pose at VAB's 25th anniversary

Visual Arts Brampton's portrait sessions will be at Shoppers World Brampton this coming Wednesday, April 20. VAB member artists will be drawing and painting portraits of Moira Nelson, a member of the Brampton Folk Club.

Moira posed for the group during the final Doors Open Brampton event, around 2007 or so. VAB was at the Old Shoe Factory on Mill Street, near the Brampton GO Station.

The session will run 10 am to 2 pm, April 20 in Staples Court, near Zellers, Oceans, and Fabricland.

Thursday open studio sessions (10 am to 2 pm, 7 to 9 pm) and Saturday open studio (extended to 9:30 am to 5:30 pm) will also feature Visual Arts Brampton's anniversary event.

Anthony Jenkins show announced for Artway Invite

Perhaps best known as a spot illustrator and editorial cartoonist for The Globe and Mail, Anthony Jenkins has a body of artwork that he will be showing at Visual Arts Brampton's Artway Invitational Gallery, late this autumn.

Jenkins was the featured exhibitor in our 2009 Making Faces and Laughlines shows at Artway Gallery, showing both cartoons and fine art between the two exhibitions.

His long training in black-and-white media has influenced his painting in its search for line and structure. His travels and photography in the Third World have engendered a love of dramatic colour and a heightened fascination with his favorite subject - the human face.

For more about Anthony Jenkins, visit his website at jenkinsdraws.com

John Knox Christian School at Silver Clips

Visual Arts Brampton will welcome John Knox Christian School to the new Silver Clips Artworks Gallery on Monday, when representatives from the school will arrive with student artwork, including pieces themed to Easter.

While most art at Silver Clips will be reproduced, the hanging system also allows for works on paper and light board to be hung, as is the case with this upcoming show.

John Knox is a multi-denominational Christian school founded in 1959, that offers junior kindergarden through grade 8. They exhibited at Silver Clips' predecessor, Fridge Front Gallery, in 2009, and twice in 2010.

The student section of Silver Clips is open to all local schools; the rest of the cases are open to all, of any age, from anywhere, see website for details on the process. The gallery space is located in the northwest corner of Shoppers World Brampton, in the entry corridor between Winners and Bluenotes.

VAB at Shoppers World for 25th event, April 20, 21, 23

For one week, Visual Arts Brampton will be taking many of its weekly sessions from its studio across the road to Staples Court in Shoppers World. The events celebrate Visual Arts Brampton's 25th anniversary.

Wednesday, April 20
Visual Arts Brampton's portrait group will be drawing and painting from a costumed model, from 10 am to 2 pm. Come view the creative process, which happens most weeks at the VAB Creative Studio.

Thursday, April 21
Open studio sessions come to Staples Court, from 10 am to 2 pm, and from 7 to 9 pm, where artists will be creating floral art for their second annual travelling show. Come meet the artists, and learn about how you can participate at the weekly painting drop-in times.

Saturday, April 23
VAB's weekly Open Studio Saturdays are expanded for the Shoppers World visit, from their usual 3 to 5 pm slot to 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.

While at Shoppers World Brampton, see Visual Arts Brampton's monthly, in two corners of the shopping centre. Laughlines, an exhibition of cartoon artwork, is featured in both Artway Invitational Gallery (mall entrance near Zellers) and Artway Gallery (mall entrance between Winners and Bluenotes). Across from Artway Gallery, see a continuously changing selection of works at the Silver Clips Artworks Gallery.

Visual Arts Brampton is the longest serving community visual art group, serving adults and youth of all levels, from Brampton and surrounding areas. Visit visualartsbrampton.com for more details.

VAB creates at Shoppers World: demos May 12, 14, 15, 16

Visual Arts Brampton will be at Shoppers World Brampton four days next week, drawing, painting, and exhibiting their artwork at the Staples Court. Located between Zellers, Fabricland, Staples, and Cinnabon, the area will be all ours for the multiple day span.

Many of the artists will be painting on 24 inch by 24 inch canvasses, working to a floral theme. Works don't have to be florals, persay, but at least include a flower in the image. Those works will then go on display at the Brampton City Hall Atrium Gallery in June, and at the new Artway Invitational Gallery in July.

Wednesday, May 12

The regularly scheduled Visual Arts Brampton portrait sessions will be at the mall, drawing and painting one of our newest artist members. 10 am to 2 pm.

Friday, May 14

Working on their entries will be VAB members Keith Moreau (10 am to 5 pm, coloured pencil), Anand Vaid (10 am to 2 pm, acrylic), William Band (noon to 3 pm, watercolour), Ryan C. Bennett, and Alysa Bartha (6 to 9 pm, TBA).

Keith Moreau will also be able to discuss his open studio times, William Band his Watercolour workshops, and Alysa Bartha her Pedal's Wish storybook, to be displayed in June at the Artway Invitational Gallery.

Saturday, May 15

VAB member William Band (noon to 3 pm, watercolours) will be working on his floral entry, and will be able to discuss his Watercolour workshops. Youth class instructors Paulina Su and Emily Kowalik are also expected to attend, and work on their entries. Stephanie Czolij will be painting in the morning.

VAB member Jacqueline Veltri will be guiding some of the Visual Arts Brampton teen students, who are working on 24 inch square florals, for a teen-only spin-off exhibit. 1 to 3 pm.

Sunday, May 16

Keith Moreau returns to work on his coloured pencil piece. 11 am to 5 pm.




Debra Ali have all expressed interest in painting at the mall, dates to be announced.

"Alysa Bartha: Petal's Wish" on display this June at Artway Invitational

We've just finalized the dates for Alysa Bartha's show at the Artway Invitational Gallery, at Shoppers World Brampton. Bartha is the author and illustrator of a picture book called Petal's Wish, about a fairy who learns a lesson in self-confidence. Her book is available for $10.99.

Alysa Bartha is a professional photographer who began writing in 2009, as another vehicle of her creativity. She was interviewed by The Brampton Guardian, for an upcoming article.

Alysa expects to be appearing at the mall in advance of the exhibit, at a soon-to-be-announced VAB event.

The new display space is located on the southeast corner of the mall, near Zellers, whereas the original Artway Gallery is still in the northwest corner of the mall.

Sunday was Santa's Arrival

This Sunday, Visual Arts Brampton participated in the Santa's Arrival Parade at Shoppers World Brampton. (See photos here.) In total, the Santa's Arrival Parade had an estimated 341 participants marching along, making music, singing songs, dancing, driving go carts, and all kinds of other spirited things. Hundreds upon hundreds of people lined the hallways of Shoppers World to watch this annual tradition. Groups in the parade included Brampton YMCA, Peel Regional Police, Salsa Con Clave, 114th Brampton Sparks, Melody Makers Theatre, Ontario Early Years Centre, 101st Brampton Girl Guides, the Knights of Columbus, Brampton Music Theatre, Traditional Explorers, the Alda Heniss School of Classical Ballet, 1st Brampton Sparks, 5th Brampton Beavers, Marina Soon Dance Group, a soccer troupe, 39th Brampton Sparks/Brownies, and the Chinguacousy Concert Band. The Peel Shrine Club brought their Go Cart Partol around the mall, and the Peel Children's Safety Village drove bikes and two mini-jeeps. Visiting characters included Toy Story 2's Jessie, Frosty the snowman, Dora the Explorer, a gingerbread man, Cinderella and Belle, Spiderman, and Rudolph. Wild Water Kingdom's hippo mascot Hugo also dropped by. Other entertainers included a band, juggler, stiltwalker, and tin soldier. As for us, six Visual Arts Brampton students dressed up with cardstock tube masks on their head, representing a ballerina, ninja, Ms. Claus, Batman, a nutcracker, and Little Bo Peep. (Thanks to volunteer Nick Moreau, the cost for VAB to participate was just $2.26.) VAB also had Star Fox (courtesy of artist Steph Czolij), Brampton Arts Council's Millie the Art Bug, and Pawsitive. Who's Pawsitive? She's the mascot of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association, an adorable and friendly dog meant to promote positive attitudes among among players. VAB discovered Pawsitive on the Brampton Thunder website, over a year ago. We appreciate the OWHA's generousity in lending their beloved pooch to our organization.

Santa's Arrival Parade, Nov. 22

Visual Arts Brampton is just one of the dozens of community groups participating in the "Santa's Arrival Parade" at Shoppers World Brampton. Held at 11 am, November 22, this fun event does a full, counter-clockwise circuit of the mall.

To celebrate the mall's 40th anniversary, the parade's goal this year was 40 community groups participating. Each year, the variety includes marching bands, characters like Cinderella and Belle, and Santa himself.

It's a nice change, compared to freezing in the cold and the dark, watching the downtown parade.

Pictures of VAB and other participants, previous years, are posted in VAB's Picasa account.

Bookmark contest at Shoppers World, Nov. 22

From the Shoppers World Brampton site:

KIDS BOOKMARK CONTEST
Sunday, November 22nd
12 noon to 4 pm in the Staples Court.

Young artists are invited to show their creativity in designing a bookmark. FREE for children ages 5 to 12 years of age.

Four winners in each age category will be chosen and will have their bookmark professionally printed and sold to raise funds for the Brampton Library Children’s Literacy Initiatives. Prizes include $50 in Shoppers World Brampton gift certificates!

Bookmarks will be judged on Tuesday, November 24th. All submissions will be proudly displayed on our ‘Spread the Words Tree’ in front of Sport Mart for the holiday season!

Between Friends cartoonist to talk in Brampton, Saturday

Between Friends cartoonist to talk in Brampton, Saturday

Welland, Ontario-cartoonist Sandra Bell-Lundy talks about career as part of gallery exhibit

As part of the first gallery showing of her work, Ontario cartoonist Sandra Bell-Lundy visits Brampton's Artway Gallery, to talk to the public about her career and comic. Sandra will be delivering a 30-minute presentation, followed by a short question and answer session.

Following the presentation, Sandra will be available to sign copies of her book, Coffee, Tea and Reality. A limited number of copies will be available to purchase on site.

The event is free to attend.

WHAT:     SYNDICATED CARTOONIST SANDRA BELL-LUNDY 
     TO DELIVER TALK ABOUT HER CAREER AND COMIC

WHERE:    STAPLES COURT           SHOPPERS WORLD BRAMPTON          499 MAIN ST S, BRAMPTON  WHEN:     SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2009           TALK AT 1 PM           Q&A TO FOLLOW AT 1:30 PM

The exhibit "Sandra Bell-Lundy's Between Friends" runs daily at Artway Gallery in Shoppers World Brampton, until November 27, 2009. The exhibit features some of the most memorable and relevant storylines, as chosen by the artist. Along with humourous plot lines about work and family life, the exhibit highlights her serious plots regarding fertility, adoption, and domestic violence.

“Between Friends” is celebrated for its contemporary portrayal of three forty-something women friends, their essence and angst. “Between Friends” runs internationally in over 150 newspapers, through King Features Syndicate. The comic is seen locally in the Toronto Star.

ABOUT ARTWAY AND VAB
A community project of Visual Arts Brampton (VAB), Artway Gallery features monthly exhibits of its members and other area artists. VAB started Artway Gallery in 1997, moving the space to Shoppers World Brampton in 2005. Visual Arts Brampton is a 23-year-old non-profit group, which also runs youth art space Fridge Front Gallery and the World Art Gallery, featuring postcard-sized works.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SHOW INFORMATION: http://www.visualartsbrampton.com/aw-bf.htm
BETWEEN FRIENDS WEBSITE: http://www.betweenfriendscartoons.com/
BETWEEN FRIENDS BLOG: http://betweenfriendsblog.typepad.com/

VAB remembers watercolourist Jack Reid

"With the swipe of a paintbrush, Jack Reid left an impression on the world, and with a bright smile, he left an impression on Orillia." - quoted from Sarah Ross, Orillia Packet & Times

With great sadness, Visual Arts Brampton has recently learned of the passing of renowned watercolour artist Jack Reid.

A graphic artist, Jack became a watercolourist; with no formal training. Jack went on to teach workshops for over 11,000 students, worldwide, beginning in 1971.

He won the Canadian government's Commemorative Medal in 1992, exhibited in England with the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, and was a life member of the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto and Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour.

Within Brampton, Jack taught Watercolour My Way on Rogers Cable, and was the City of Brampton Arts Person of the Year in 1992. An honourary member of Visual Arts Brampton, in thanks for his recurring help to the group, Jack was the first artist featured at Artway Gallery, in Shoppers World. Moving to Orillia three years ago, he is said to have delved into the arts community there, just as much as he did in Peel.

Jack Reid passed away Monday morning, after a long battle with cancer. He was 84. Condolences may be sent to: Pat Carabine c/o Jack Reid 412 Old Muskoka Road, Apt. 209 South, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 6M5.

Remembering Jack Reid:

• "Jack Reid left his mark on Orillia", Orillia Packet & Times
• "Arts community revered Reid", The Sarnia Observer
• Jack Reid, Visual Arts Brampton bio (not yet updated)
• Jack Reid and Friends, our feature artist show in 2005

Dog art on display at Fridge Front

Newly on display at Fridge Front Gallery is a selection of dog drawings created by Visual Arts Brampton's Thursday evening open studio participants, members of its three older youth classes, and Artway exhibitor Devere Wint.

Students created the works over three weeks, and the creations cover the 6 main fridge doors at Fridge Front.

The exhibit will move to Happy Dogs Canine Centre in the coming weeks; Happy Dogs is a new business at 2578 Bovaird Dr W, en route to Norval.

John Bindon featured animal artist at Artway

John Bindon is the featured exhibitor at Artway Gallery this month, for our show Fin, Fur and Feather. Featured on display are various animal art images, with the highlights being a selection of dinosaurs, cows, and aquatic animals. The detailed paintings are created with acrylic, watercolour, and gouache.

Bindon has created works for the Philadelphia Field Museum and The Fernbank Museum, conceptual work for three Discovery Television shows. Bindon made character design contributions to Disney's 2000 film DINOSAUR.

Bindon has created calendar "Teddy Bear Corner" annually since 2001, and "Cow Mooods" annually from 1996-1999, and 2004 on. He has illustrated 18 books, and contributed to two school textbooks, box art for games, and paintings for four shaped puzzles. Clients have included Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Chicago Tribune, Irwin Toy, Gulf Oil, Imperial Oil, Kelloggs, Lucas Film, McDonalds, National Geographic TV, and Universal Studios.

Visit his website for more information.

Mail Art Call: What is Canada?

Theme: What is Canada? Canadian landscapes, people, animals, stereotypes of the country, whatever you can think of, somehow relating to Canada. Any medium or technique is allowed. This call is open to everyone, regardless of age or country of residence, not just Canadians.

Where: Art will be on display at the Canada pavilion of Carabram: Brampton's Multicultural Festival, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada (a suburb of Toronto) on July 10, 11, 12. It will later move on to WAG: World Art Gallery, VAB's permanent postcard-sized art display space in Shoppers World, a mall in Brampton.

Size: 10 x 15 cm / 4 x 6 in (postcard sized-only, please)

Deadline: July 7, 2009

Documentation: We'll post scans of all entries on twitter.com/wagpost


Send your creations to:
1 Bartley Bull Parkway
Suite 10
Brampton ON
L6W 1R8
Canada

Contact: visualartsbrampton@gmail.com

W.G. Davis art class on display at Fridge Front

Artwork by Grace Bailey's Visual Arts class is on display now, at Fridge Front Gallery. Ms. Bailey teaches at William Grenville Davis Senior Public School, just up the road from the VAB studios. Her classes have exhibited in 2006 and 2007, and we're glad to welcome her back to Fridge Front again.

View a panoramic shot of this exhibit on Twitpic.