Ryan and Keith set to judge Dufferin-Peel Catholic board show

Keith Moreau and Ryan C. Thompson are both set to judge the Images 2012: Dufferin Peel's Boardwide Student Art Exhibition at Mississauga City Hall. The show will run from Friday, May 18th at 5pm to Thursday, May 24th at 5pm in Mississauga Civic Center's Great Hall.

Thompson will judge the Junior Painting Award for his first time, and Moreau will return for the Printmaking Award, which he first chose for in 2008.

Marnie Richards from the Brampton Arts Council judges an award from their organization, and Hazel McCallion traditionally judges a category on behalf of her office.

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.

VAB at Sunday's Brampton Battalion game; 5-3 win

Carrick scored the fourth goal of the night,

in the end Visual Arts Brampton was seated at.

It was an action-packed game, yesterday, at the Powerade Centre, as the Battalion ended a loosing streak. The audience of 1,623 included 20 Visual Arts Brampton members and family members, admitted free through the CN Community Ticket program.

Brampton goals were by Philip Lane, Brandon Robinson, Patrik Machac, with two goal by Sam Carric. In all, it was a 5 to 3 victory as Stan Butler returned to the bench.

For more on the game, hop over to the Battalion website's article "Battalion victorious in Butler's return".

Many thanks to the Brampton Battalion for hosting our group again, it was a fun Sunday afternoon!

VAB recognized for Credit Valley art

VAB President Keith Moreau was just notified that he has won a Friends of the Credit Conservation Award on behalf of Visual Arts Brampton, to be presented in Mississauga in March. The award is presented by the Credit Valley Conservation Authority.

Many of Keith's youth students participated in a project in 2010, to create artwork themed to the flora and fauna of the Credit Valley. Artwork was used on signage, now permanently on display at the CVCA's floating island project. The Globe and Mail published an article about the floating island project, back in September; it provides a good overview of how the "islands" treat a storm-water pond.

To visit the floating islands, see the youth artwork, and read on-site explaination of how the islands work, drive to the parking lot of Fletchers Meadow Secondary School/Parkholme School (10750 Chinguacousy Rd), and take a walk across Botavia Downs Drive to Botavia Downs Pond.

VAB in Family of Brampton arts event, at Rose, February 26

Visual Arts Brampton will be participating in Family of Brampton, an arts event hosted by the Brampton Library and the Brampton Festival Singers. Open to all disciplines, the event will showcase mini workshops, performances, and demonstrations from artists in the community.

The event is on Sunday, February 26, from 1 to 6 pm.

Visual Arts Brampton will have a table at the event, and some of our members have mentioned they're planning to participate.

Youth Achievement Awards 2011 tomorrow

The studio is set up for the Visual Arts Brampton Youth Achievement Awards tomorrow, starting shortly after 11 am. This will be the thirteen ceremonies in the youth sessions' history.

Admission is limited only to those students who entered the competition, and their guests.

CNE attendance figures announced

This year, attendance to the CNE grew a quite healthy 9%, according to organizers. The Canadian National Exhibition Association's Annual General Meeting was last night in Toronto, and David Bednar announced the success, which equals 1.31 million visitors over the 18 day period.


Also, a warm welcome to Brian Ashton, the newly elected 58th President of CNEA’s volunteer Board of Directors.

Visual Arts Brampton has now twice exhibited at its floral art show in Heritage Court of the Direct Energy Centre, as part of the Garden Show.

Indie Arts Fest building an audience in first year back

Brampton Indie Arts Festival wrapped up last night. The annual event returned with a fair size audience, a good number to grow on in future years at Rose Theatre Brampton.

Pictured is Ryan's artwork, one of five artists from the GTA who fit the unique mold of indie arts.

For pictures of some of the entertainment, view this photo album.

Brampton Wing Fest caricature photos up

On Saturday before Labour Day, Visual Arts Brampton was represented at the first annual Brampton Wing Fest. VAB member Ryan C. Thompson, who designed the event logo, drew caricatures under a tent. Pictured below is a family who was drawn in this multi-person page.

More samples of Ryan's caricatures have been uploaded to this photo album, including Ryan with the chicken he created.

Credit Valley Conservation unveiled VAB art signs earlier today

Credit Valley Conservation unveiled its Floating Island Project just hours ago, at Botavia Downs Park (Botavia Downs Road and Chinguacousy Road).

The Environmental Enhancement Demonstration Site is a partnership between the CVC and the City of Brampton, in partnership with Queens University, Trent University, C&M Athletics, Greenland Consulting Engineers and Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School. The art project created works for the park, and was a partnership between the CVC, the City, and Visual Arts Brampton.

In this photo are Councillor John Hutton, Francesca Riopka, Councillor John Sanderson, Keshav Ramola, Mayor Susan Fennell, Lynn Calliste and Nick Woollard (parents of Makini Calliste-Woollard, in Quebec at university), and VAB president Keith Moreau.

We're currently having a few difficulties uploading the video, but expect an upload or two of the happenings in the next few days.

Brampton Floating Islands pilot project and artwork reveal, September 17

Credit Valley Conservation, Visual Arts Brampton and City of Brampton are proud to announce the Floating Islands Pilot Project and Artwork Reveal.

Learn about the Red Side Dace, why they are important and how we are protecting them in Fletcher’s Creek. See aretwork created by youth and teens from Visual Arts Brampton on Fletcher’s Creek and its animal inhabitants. Learn about the Floating Islands: what they do, how they are build, how we are monitoring them and why this pilot project is important for Ontario!

The event happens on Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 11 am to 1 pm at Botavia Downs Pond, across  from Fletchers Meadow Public School.

Agenda:

• 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m – Art Reveal and Speeches
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Activities and Free Barbecue

First Brampton Wing Fest a success

Yesterday, the first annual Brampton Wing Fest was held at Chinguacousy Park's special events field. There was a strong turnout at the event, for the food, music, and competitions. Already, organizers were busy talking about plans for next year's event, before the night was even through.

Visual Arts Brampton member Ryan C. Thompson, who designed the event's logo, was on hand at the Visual Arts Brampton booth all day drawing caricatures for a nominal fee. Member Luis Barrios also helped man the tent.

We're looking forward to next year's event!

Brampton WingFest details announced; VAB to exhibit

Details on the first annual Brampton WingFest, to be held at Chinguacousy Park on Saturday, September 3 from noon to 11 pm. The Brampton Guardian has just published an overview of the event, the variety of foods available within the wings realm and beyond, entertainment, rides, and activities. Visual Arts Brampton will have a display at the event.

Organizer Jerome Dawson of the Chinguacousy Lions Club told the Guardian that the Rotary Club's Ribfest was a great kickoff to summer, and that the Lions hope this would be Brampton's finale to summer.

Visual Arts Brampton member Ryan C. Thompson designed the logo of the event.

Brampton Indie Arts Fest returns

From 2000 to 2007, the Brampton Indie Arts Fest was an annual creative hub, hosted at the Heritage Theatre, and later the Rose Theatre.

Friendly Rich returns as Artistic Director, to pick the acts for "the best-of-the-best in underground and experimental musicians, filmmakers, dancers, poets and visual artists." The lineup will be announced soon, according to the website.

All the events will be at Rose Theatre Brampton: Studio Two, Main Stage (Audience and Acts), lobby and the Fountain Stage in Garden Square (weather permitting). The event happens September 15 and 16, 7:30 to "late". The entire event is free.

VAB member Ryan C. Thompson is currently scheduled to exhibit at the event, more details as they come.

Brampton Wing Fest upcoming; logo by VAB member, group at the event

Visual Arts Brampton member Ryan C. Thompson recently was chosen to design the logo for the brand new Brampton Wing Fest. Ryan submitted seven sheets of preliminary designs to the organizers, before the final design was established. The event is created by Chinguacousy Lions.

The first annual event is coming up Saturday, September 3, 2011, noon to 11 pm at the newly renovated Chinguacousy Park, Central Park Drive and Queen Street East. The event is free. Brampton Wingfest will be an all day outdoor event which will including the sale of tasty chicken wings from a variety of locals restaurants, Beaver Tails, Tiny Tim Donuts, corn on the cob and a wine and beer garden.

Family day activities include fun for children with face painting, jumping castles, magicians, live DJ's, dance competitions and live bands to entertain everyone.

Visual Arts Brampton will be on hand displaying works of arts and promoting upcoming exhibits and community events.

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.

Road closures next Saturday, Brampton

Afternoon classes at Visual Arts Brampton studio, or afternoon visits to Artway Gallery in Shoppers World will be a little bit harder next Saturday. Not only will Main Street in the downtown be closed, quite literally for all day, but Vodden to Charolais (the road above Shoppers World) will be closed from 1 to 4 pm.

To repeat, Main Street/Hurontario will be closed:

• between Theatre Lane/Nelson to Wellington from 6 am to 10 pm;
• between Vodden St to Charolais Blvd from 1 to 4 pm.

25th anniversary event at Shoppers World a success

People watch, Saturday afternoon at Shoppers World.

Last week, Visual Arts Brampton was at Shoppers World Brampton with all its studio sessions, from Wednesday to Saturday. The portrait session painted from Moira Nelson, a local harpist; a photo of VAB member Dolores Miron creating ran alongside an article in The Brampton Guardian.

There's 29 photos of the event on Facebook—no need to be a member to see them— from all four times we were there. SNAP Brampton has also covered the event, look for it in the upcoming May issue.

There was lots of people watching the artists at work, lots of people interested in the group. It was certainly a success. The VAB portrait group may return to Shoppers World in a few months time, to work from another local creative or two.

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.

Painting at the Flower City Parade, June 18

Visual Arts Brampton will be back at the Flower City Parade day event this year, in promotion of our touring Floral Art Show. From 9 am to half-past-noon, select members of Visual Arts Brampton will be painting on the porch of Brampton City Hall, just outside the atrium's, where our art and the Brampton Horticultural Society will be set up.

Currently, Jacqueline Veltri and Debra Ali are expecting to paint at the event; both participated last year.