2017 Importants Dates and Deadlines

Hello everyone, now that spring is upon us (though you wouldn't know it from looking outside) we wanted to outline all of the wonderful opportunities for local artists that the council is involved with this year.

Thanks to collaborations with our community partners like the Avon River Heritage Society, the Full Circle Festival and the Bread Gallery, we are involved in a number of events that you may want to participate in as an artist or vendor, or perhaps just attend as an appreciator of arts and culture.

Below you will find a list of events and registration deadlines, please take a peek and let us know if there is anything that tickles your fancy.

April 7th
Registration for the Great Little Art Show closes. http://www.avonriverheritage.com/the-great-little-art-show.html

With Canada's 150 celebration in mind, for this year's promotional material for the Great Little Art Show we are looking for artwork which pays homage to Hants County's historical background and/or the unique landscape of the Avon River area; something that would be a compliment to the ARHS museum's upcoming project called the People of the Avon River/Pesegitk, which they will be launching in May. If they are successful with securing funding this project will consists of a documentary and corresponding art and museum exhibit celebrating the communities in this region; past, present and future. If you have a recently created piece which speaks to this theme, then we ask you to please email a high resolution jpg to infoavonriver@gmail.com no later than April 2nd for consideration. This image will appear on all advertising  for the 19th annual Great Little Art Show.


April 8th
10am - 2pm
Visioning Workshop
The Bread Gallery, 7778 Highway 14, Brooklyn, Hants Co.

In Hants County (including all of our towns and villages) we have a vibrant community of artisans, both professional and amateur. There are studios, galleries, classes, shows, festivals and other events throughout the year. But could we do even more? As an artist, artisan, or art lover, do you feel like a part of the arts community or are you looking for more opportunities to exhibit your work, improve on your skill base through classes and workshops, network with fellow artists, develop your portfolio or market yourself as an artist?

The Hants County Arts Council invites everyone who has an interest in the arts to join us for a visioning workshop on April 8th, 10 till 2, upstairs at the Bread Gallery in Brooklyn. Help us plan and create more opportunities to build our community of artists and artisans.

April 21, 22, 23
Saltscapes Expo
http://www.saltscapes.com/expo/

Once again we have been invited, along with other local community groups, to join the Municipality of West Hants at their booth at the popular Saltscapes Expo, where will will be promoting events and festivals in the area. If you or a group you are affiliated in are involved with a festival or event and would like your promotional material shared with a wide audience, please deliver business cards, rack cards or pamphlets to the Bread Gallery on April 8th, during our visioning workshop, or mail to PO Box 905, Windsor, NS, B0N 2T0, no later than April 14th.

April 25th
7pm
Annual General MeetingThe Bread Gallery, 7778 Highway 14, Brooklyn, Hants Co.

Join us as we elect a new board of directors and discuss the finding of our visioning workshop, setting forth a new plan for the direction of the council over the next few years.

May 5th
7pm
19th annual Great Little Art Show, Opening Reception
ARHS Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

Hants County's flagship art show, which highlights new work by  established and emerging artists from Hants County and beyond.

Organized by the Hants County Arts Council, the Great Little Art Show is a major attraction in our community and is a significant fundraiser for the Avon River Heritage Museum and Avon Spirit Shipyard.

May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28

10am - 5pm

Great Little Art Show, Meet the Artists
ARHS Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

This group show continues each weekend in May. We ask that participating artists volunteer their time and take turns gallery sitting for the duration of the event.

Jun 3rd - Oct 1st

Wed - Sun, 10am - 5pm

Artists Landing Gallery, Members Showcase
ARHS Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport LandingOperating June through September, the Artists Landing Studio and Gallery features artwork by members of the Hants County Arts Council. artists interested in showing their work should contact us at hcacinfo@gmail.com before May 12th.

June 4th

Noon - 4pm

Artisans in Action:
Wood/Leather/Stone
ARHS Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

Registration is now open for all of our Artisans in Action pop-up shows and demonstrations this season. Please visit http://www.avonriverheritage.com/artisans-in-action.html for more information. 

June 24th & 25th

Summer Solstice Market

10am - 5pm
Newport Landing Waterfront Park

Part of the Full Circle Festival, this eclectic market will be set-up along the historic Newport Landing waterfront. Featuring a variety of Nova Scotian makers and food vendors. Includes demonstrations hosted by the Avon River Heritage Society and Hants County Arts Council’s Artisans in Action series of demonstrations and pop-up sales.

Members interested in volunteering their time in our booth (providing demonstrations and/or chatting and educating visitors) or obtaining your own booth, can contact Tacha at infoavonriver@gmail.com for more information.

July 2nd
Noon - 4pm
Artisans in Action:
Metal/Glass/Jewellery
ARHS Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

July 22nd

All Day

Hantsport Music Fest

Foundry Field, Hantsport

Once again the HCAC, ARHS and Full Circle Festival have been offered a booth at the Hantsport Music Festival to help promote our various groups and activities. Any member interested in volunteering their time at the booth (providing demonstrations and/or chatting and educating visitors) can contact Tacha at infoavonriver@gmail.com for more information.

August 6th

Noon - 4pm

Artisans in Action:
Fibre/Pottery/Textiles
ARHS Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

September 3rd

Noon - 4pm

Artisans in Action:

Paint Avondale

Newport Landing Waterfront and the Avon Spirit Shipyard
Each September the Hants County Arts Council and Avon River Heritage Society play host to Paint Avondale, a spirited open air painting event, which takes place along the historic waterfront in Newport Landing.

A part of our successful Artisans in Action series, this event is sure to bring many people out to interact with our local artists, while exploring our community.

For the duration of the event the Avon Spirit Shipyard will be converted into a pop-up gallery where participating artists can display and sell their work. A volunteer will be on hand to process sales, with 100% of proceeds going back to the artist.


Artists interested in participating can contact us by email at infoavonriver@gmail.com or telephone (902) 757-1718. The fee to participate is $20 per artist.

September 9th

10am - 5pm

Honey Harvest Festival
Newport Landing Waterfront and the Avon Spirit Shipyard

The council has once again been offered a booth at this festival to help promote our group and our activities. This festival is open to vendors who make honey bee related products such as honey, beeswax candles and skin products, mead, beekeeping accessories and plants that attract bees. Crafters and artist who take their inspiration from nature, especially those who work in natural and recycled materials, are also eligible to apply. Anyone interested in obtaining a booth should email Michelle at infoavonriver@gmail.com for more information.
Any member interested in volunteering their time at the arts council's booth (providing demonstrations and/or chatting and educating visitors) can contact Tacha at infoavonriver@gmail.com for more information.

September 22nd
Registration for Long Winter Nights at the Bread Gallery Closes

September 29th-October 1st

Culture Days

This year we are partnering with several local not-for-profit groups and charities to offer a number of free events during the 3 day nation wide Culture Days festival.

Sept 29

7pm

Premier Gala for People of the Avon River / Pesegitk

Avon Spirit Shipyard & ARHS Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

Sept 30

10 am

Guided Hike on the Mosher and Westbrook Trials; a collaboration between the ARHS, the West Hants Trails Association, and the Avon Peninsula Watershed Preservation Society.

October 1st

Noon - 4pm

Artisans in Action:

Traditional Nova Scotian Arts and Techniques
ARHS Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

November & December
Tues - Saturday 8-5, Sunday 10-4

Long Winter Nights, Member's Showcase

The Bread Gallery, 7778 Highway 14, Brooklyn

Newsletter: Another Incredible Year Planned for 2015!

With the start of a new season, it is time for our annual newsletter!

A few weeks ago we held our AGM and had a very productive brain storming session with those in attendance. Finding that member participation can often be low, we have decided to make amendments to our membership structure by creating an active and inactive membership status. 

We will be working on the structure over the next few month, but some ideas of how this would work are that everyone would be required to attend at least 3 meetings per year and volunteer a certain amount of hours during events to maintain an active membership. Artists who build up hours will benefit from certain perks like being awarded free rental of our workspace at the museum to conduct workshops, lessons or provide lectures. Other benefits would include free ad space on our websites and discounts with various art supply stores. Anyone interested in providing input on this new structure and how to increase member participation, please feel free to join us at our next board meeting.

Our meetings take place the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7pm. In an attempt to make our meetings more accessible we have decided to hold them in the upper studio of the Bread Gallery (7778 Highway 14 in Brooklyn). Going forward members will receive monthly reminders with a copy of the agenda. Members are welcome to submit items for discussion under "New Business" on the agenda.

Since many of us still haven't had the opportunity to meet, let alone get to know each other, a discussion began about the idea of using some of our open studio time at the Bread Gallery to host a "Meet the Members" series. Each week a different member of the council would have the opportunity to share their own personal history in the arts. In the cozy setting of the studio we can sit together and chat freely, learning about each others backgrounds and artistic practices.

We've maintained such a great momentum over the last few years and we hope to see our membership continue to grow and become more involved as we approach our 10th anniversary.

In the meanwhile we have another incredible year planned for 2015! The latest edition of our Arts Digest is being distributed throughout the Annapolis and Avon Valley as I type - and another 2000 copies will be making their way to HRM and beyond next week! Look for advance copies in this week's issue of the Grapevine.

This year's directory is full of important dates and info on all of our 2015 activities, like...

The 17th annual Great Little Art Show

Organized by the Hants County Arts Council, the Great Little Art Show is a major attraction in our community and is a significant fundraiser for the Avon River Heritage Museum and Avon Spirit Shipyard. For 2015 we have extended the length of the show from 3 days to every weekend throughout the month of May.

The opening will take place Friday, May 8th, from 7pm to 9pm with a keynote address from impasto painter Kelly Mitchelmore. During the  reception we will open the silent auction for a rug hooking created by local artists Rose Marie MacDonald and Tacha Reed. Proceeds from the auction of the framed hooking, which depicts the “Old Stone House” in Poplar Grove that was built in 1699 by the early French settlers, will go towards supplies and programming for the arts council’s Artists Landing Gallery. Auction closes May 31st at 5pm.


Artist Landing Studio & Gallery

Last spring we began a collaboration with the ARHS Museum in Newport Landing, which saw them graciously donating to us the use of the majority of the upper area of the museum. We now have an open workspace for our members to gather. In what has become nicknamed the lounge, we are slowly building a collection of art supplies and reference books. Members are welcome to book the space for a low fee to host their own workshops or lectures.

We have also taken over half of the open space, which hosts the Great Little Art Show each May. Here we operate the Artists Landing Gallery June through September, which features artwork by our members.

If you are interested in showing your artwork, contact us at hcacinfo@gmail.com before May 15th, 2015.

 

 Open Studio Days at the Bread Gallery

We are happy to announce the re-launch of our weekly open studio drop-in sessions, a collaboration made possible through support from the ArtsVest program.

Taking place in the upper studio of The Bread Gallery every Tuesday and Thursday between 10am and 2pm, these sessions are open to the public and there is no fee to participate. 

Follow us on Facebook for updates!




Artisans in Action

Our annual summer series Artisans in Action takes place the first Sunday of the Month, June trough October at the Avon River Heritage museum. These live demonstrations provide a great opportunity for local artisans who work in historical trades, crafts, and art forms done in both traditional and contemporary manners, to introduce themselves and their craft to a wider audience.

This year we kick-off our Artisans in Action series with a special showcase at the Art & Craft in Agriculture Festival taking place May 23rd & 24th at the O’Brien building, Hants County Exhibition Park in Windsor. In honour of Canada’s first agricultural fair held May 21, 1765, the Art & Craft in Agriculture Festival will feature a market, workshops and activities relating to art, craft and agriculture.  A painting by Susan Sweet to commemorate the 250th anniversary will be unveiled at a reception Saturday May 23rd. For more information visit www.hantscountyex.com

 

Paint Avondale

Part of our Artisans in Action series, our 2nd annual Paint Avondale will see visual artists set-up throughout the historic hamlet of Avondale, creating live on-site. Starting at noon on September 6th, 2015,  visitors can begin their tour at the Avon Spirit Shipyard in Newport Landing, located along the scenic shores of the Avon River on the site where Planter sloops, The Lydia and Sally, landed in 1760.

The Avon River area became one of the great square-rigged wooden shipbuilding centers in Nova Scotia in the 19th Century. Where the Avon River Heritage Museum now sits in Newport Landing was once the location of the Harvie and Mosher shipyards. Between them, they built and launched 165 sailing ships during the “Golden Age of Sail”.  Artist locations include many of the original ship builders homes built in the 1860’s.

Artists interested in participating in Paint Avondale should contact us by July 25th, 2015. Open to all visual artists, register online at www.hantscountyartscouncil.com



Annual End of Winter Show

This past winter the Bread Gallery in Brooklyn, Hants County, hosted our 4th annual End of Winter Showcase. Our first ever juried show featured a selection of recent works by members of the Hants County Arts Council, which included a variety of paintings, sculpture, fibre art, carvings and folk art.

Artists interested in participating in our 5th annual End of Winter group showcase should contact us by October 30th, 2015. Register at hantscountyartscouncil.com

 

Festival of Art

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of our Festival of Art. In these past 10 years our council has evolved a great deal. We have formed many long lasting bonds with other arts and culture groups in the community, which has allowed us to increase our activities and  grow from a membership of just 28 artists to 54 and counting in the past 5 years!

To celebrate our achievements we have decided to take the Festival of Art back to the drawing board. We want to make it a true festival that celebrates local artists working in all mediums. We want to incorporate performances, demonstrations and hands-on workshops. To make this a true success we need your help.

A planning committee for the 10th annual Festival of Art will be formed during our monthly board meeting, taking place at 7pm on Wednesday May 20th in the Upper Studio of the Bread Gallery in Brooklyn. Anyone who is interested in volunteering, performing or organizing a workshop is welcome to join us.


For more information on our regular activities, or to become a member, please visit www.hantscountyartscouncil.com or email us at hcacinfo@gmail.com. You can also reach us by snail mail at P.O. Box 905, Windsor, Hants County, NS, B0N 2T0

17th annual Great Little Art Show

 

Organized by the Hants County Arts Council, the Great Little Art Show is a major attraction in our community and is a significant fundraiser for the Avon River Heritage Museum and Avon Spirit Shipyard. For 2015 we have extended the length of the show from 3 brief days to every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of May.

The opening will take place Friday, May 8th, from 7pm to 9pm with a keynote address from impasto painter Kelly Mitchelmore. A sampling of hors d'oeuvres will be provided by the Flying Apron Cookery, there will be live entertainment from George and Gail Symonds and a cash bar serving the latest from Avondale Sky Winery and Meander River Farm Brewery. Tickets for the opening are $8 for adults; children under 12 get in for free.

During the  reception we will open the silent auction for a rug hooking created by local artists Rose Marie MacDonald and Tacha Reed. Proceeds from the auction of the framed hooking, which depicts the “Old Stone House” in Poplar Grove that was built in 1699 by the early French settlers, will go towards supplies and programming for the arts council's Artists Landing Studio & Gallery.

 

Viewing times throughout the rest of month are from 10 am to 5pm, every Saturday & Sunday, at a cost of $2 per person.

 

On Saturday May 30th there will be no charge to view the showcase as we welcome author Daphne Greer for the launch of her latest book, Jacob's Landing. Join us between 1pm & 3pm for a reading by the author.

Artists are still being accepted, although late registrations may not make it into the promotional material. Register online at http://hantscountyartscouncil.com/

Save the Date - 2015 Calendar of Events!

In case you missed it, here is our 2015 schedule of events! The call to artists has already gone out for our first show of the year, Feb 7th through to March 29th, at the Bread Gallery in Brooklyn, NS. You can find more info on that show here. Next month we will be opening up registration for the 17th annual Great Little Art Show and our summer series Artisans in Action. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for updates.

In the meanwhile here is our schedule of events for 2015, be sure to add all of your favourites to your calendar so that you don't miss out!


Feb 7th - March 29th, 2015
HCAC Annual Group Showcase
Bread Gallery, 7778 Highway 14, Brooklyn.

April 29, 7pm-9pm, 2015
Hants County Arts Council's AGM
Community Room, Windsor Superstore, 11 Cole Drive, Windsor

May 8th - 10th, 2015
17th Annual Great Little Art Show
Avon River Heritage Society Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

Sunday, June 7th, 2015
Artisans in Action : Wood/Leather/Stone
Avon River Heritage Society Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

Sunday, July 5th, 2015
Artisans in Action : Metal/Glass/Jewellery
Avon River Heritage Society Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

Sunday, August 2nd, 2015
Artisans in Action : Fibre/Pottery/Textiles
Avon River Heritage Society Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

Sunday, September 6th, 2015
Artisans in Action : Paint Avondale
Avon River Heritage Society Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing

Sunday, October 4th, 2015
Artisans in Action : Traditional Nova Scotian Crafts and Techniques (Mi’kmaq, Acadian and Planters)
Avon River Heritage Society Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing




The Avon River Heritage Society Museum,
now home to the Hants County Arts Council
and our Artist's Landing Studio and Gallery.

A Look Back at the 16th Annual Great Little Art Show!

On May 9th through 11th of 2014, the Avon River Heritage Society hosted this year’s Great Little Art Show in Newport Landing; a major attraction in the community and a significant fundraiser for the museum.

This year's reception was introduced by Brandt Eisner, owner and director of Swoon Fine Art and Antiques. Brandt gave an inspirational talk encouraging artist to place less emphasis on the anticipation of the sale and comparing our success against our peers. He suggested that instead we should really delve into our passion to create and express ourselves visually, creating to satisfy our own selves instead of a perceived customer. Many artists commented that his talk really spoke to them and was exactly the encouragement they were needing!

We had a great menu for the evening including refreshments by Avondale Sky Winery, sweets from the Bread Gallery and wonderful hors d'eouvres from the Flying Apron Cookery Inn.


                              2014 Participating Artists:

                                Sandra Aucoin
                                Mary Lou Bennett
                                David Brooks
                                Barbara Cain
                                Andrew Fisher
                                Brian Fraser
                                Terrie Greencorn
                                Ken Greer
                                G.A. Jank
                                Lynn Johnson
                                Robin Jones
                                Rose Marie MacDonald
                                Angela MacKay
                                Alison F. MacNeil
                                Ian MacNeil
                                Kelly Mitchelmore
                                Jeannine Meehan
                                Raymond Meehan
                                Sumaya Moore
                                Carol Morrison
                                Tacha Reed
                                Mary Ritchie
                                Liz Robinson
                                Sue Robinson
                                Jo-Ann Shaw
                                Al Simm
                                Jim Tracey
                                Avery Vaughan


 

 

Fibre art by Tacha Reed

Clockwise L-R Carol Morrison, Tacha Reed, Lynn Johnson, Kelly Mitchelmore, Angela MacKay



 

Metal Sculpture by Al Simm

Clockwise L-R Angela MacKay, Avery Vaughan, Barbara Cain, Liz Robinson, Mary Ritchie, Carol Morrison

Sculpture by Alison F. MacNeil

Clockwise L-R Sue Robinson, Lynn Johnson Kelly Mitchelmore,, Tacha Reed,
Lynn Johnson, Barbara Cain, Kelly Mitchelmore, Barbara Cain

Top row: Robin Jones, Sue Robinson, Avery Vaughan, Liz Robinson
Bottom row: Rose Marie MacDonald, Sandra Aucoin, Terrie Greencorn (x2), Andrew Fisher

L-R Sue Robinson, Mary Ritchie, Kelly Mitchelmore, Brian Fraser, Mary Ritchie

Folk art by Jim Tracey

Painted silk scarf by Mary Lou Bennett

Jewellery by Mary Lou Bennett

Metal work by G.A. Jank

Metal work by Al Simm

Folk art by Jim Tracey

Meta work by G.A. Jank

Bronze sculpture by Jo-Ann Shaw

Jewellery by Ian MacNeil

Soapstone Sculpture by David J. Brooks

Bronze sculpture by Jo-Ann Shaw

Wood wok by Raymond Meehan

 For more information visit www.avonriver.ca


Avon River Heritage Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing, Hants Co., NS

Call to Artists: 16th Annual Great Little Art Show

The Avon River Heritage Society (ARHS) invites you once again to attend this year’s Great Little Art Show in Newport Landing.

 

For our 16th year, the flagship show at the ARHS will be entirely organized by the Hants County Arts Council. We are thrilled to expand our on-going relationship with one of our long-standing community partners fostering local art talent of all ages, right here at home.

The Great Little Art Show is a major attraction in the community and is a significant fundraiser for the Avon River Heritage Museum.

The opening is Friday, May 9th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a wine and cheese reception and an introduction from guest speaker Brandt Eisner, the owner and director of one of the hottest galleries in HRM, Swoon Fine Art and Antiques, located in Hammonds Plains.

 

Viewing times throughout the weekend are:   

Saturday, May 10th        10 a.m.   -   5:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 11th          11 a.m.   -   3:00 p.m.

Artists are currently being accepted and you can register and pay securely online at http://www.avonriver.ca or by mailing in the attached form. Registration closes April 18th, 2014

 

On behalf of the Avon River Heritage Society and the Hants County Arts Council's Board of Directors and our dedicated team of volunteers, we look forward to seeing the artists of Hants County's latest creations!


Best regards,

Ken Greer,
ARHS President

Tacha Reed
HCAC President

Home is where the Art is!

The Avon River Heritage Society (ARHS) invites you once again to attend this year’s Great Little Art Show in Newport Landing.

For their 15^th year, the ARHS is expanding the show’s organization to include the Hants County Arts Council. We are thrilled to work together with one of our long-standing community partners. We’ve adopted a theme for this year’s show, “Home is where the ART is”.

The Great Little Art Show is a major attraction in the community and is a significant fundraiser for the Avon River Heritage Museum. 

It is known as the area’s flagship show fostering local art talent of all ages, right here at home. This year this will truly be the case with the début of our children’s art show, The Great Little Youth Show showcasing art from local youth under the age of 16, giving rise to a new generation of artists.

Newport Landing resident Jenny Mitson runs Little Pumpkins Daycare and is a pediatric nurse at the IWK. “I am so happy the museum is taking an opportunity to showcase local children's art work,” says Mitson. ”I feel very passionate about encouraging children to express themselves through art using what ever medium they choose allowing them to expose their individual uniqueness. Art is a huge self-esteem builder in a world that can be constricting for our children.”

The opening is Friday, April 26, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a wine and cheese reception.
 

Viewing times throughout the weekend are: 

  

Saturday, April 27 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 28 11 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The café will be open to provide refreshments.

Artist registration is open until April 12th and you can enter online at www.avonriver.ca

A Look Back at the 14th Annual Great Little Art Show

On Friday April 27th the Avon River Heritage Museum played host to the 14th Annual Great Little Art Show.  24 local artist's work was on display for this annual fundraiser. Here is a selection of images from opening night.

Patrons admiring a painting by Kelly Mitchelmore

Sculptures by Alison MacNeil

Sculpture by Carmen Dalrymple

Chief by Jim Tracey

Various works by Mira MacNeil, June Brown, Tacha Reed and Linda Barkhouse

Metal work by Al Simm

Pottery by Elspeth MacKenzie

Rug hooking by Rose Marie MacDonald

Various works by Greg Dickie

Boat Builders by Jim Tracey

14th Annual Great Little Art Show

Avon River Heritage Museum, 17 Belmont Road
Newport Landing, near Avondale, Hants County

Friday April 27- Sunday, April 29

For longer than a decade, this show has been an important means for promoting visual arts in Hants County.

Casually the organizers say it's "a great little show with a lot of great, local art!"

More officially, it is a venue for both professional and novice local artists to display and sell their work in a semi-formal environment. Each spring we look forward to seeing the work of participants and the blossoming of new talent.

"The Great Little Art Show is our most important fund raising event. Sales of the exhibits provide the Avon River Heritage Society with the needed capital it requires to keep our community museum operating from year to year."


The show will get under way with a wine and cheese reception on Friday, April 27 from 7pm to 9pm with a special guest speaker sculptor Alison MacNeil.

The show continues over the weekend with viewings at the following times:
• Saturday, April 28 10am – 5 pm
• Sunday, April 29 11am – 3pm

Admission: $7.00 for Friday night opening; $2.00 Saturday and Sunday; Children under 12, free.




For more information contact:
Andrew Fisher, 757-2787glas@avonriver.ca
General Museum enquiries, please call 757-1718 and leave a message
Or you can email: info@avonriver.ca

Local Artistic Opportunities on the Rise

Just in case you missed this article in the last issue of What's Going On? here it is again!

Local Artistic Opportunities on the Rise
BROOKLYN BAKERY TO Host 6-Week ART Show

by Heather Desveaux


It almost goes without saying that artists thrive on opportunities to create, so it is not surprising to learn they also encourage new ways to promote what they produce.  Art shows increase opportunities for artists to sell works but also motivate them to create more, according to the President of the Hants County Arts Council, Tacha Reed. "Regular shows give me access to other artists, who in turn provide me with inspiration and a sense of belonging. Both are essential ingredients to my creative process," she says.


Reed credits the annual Great Little Art Show, organized by artist Andrew Fisher, hosted by the Avon River Heritage Society and now in its 14th year, for providing a drawing board for the Arts Council to organize its own annual group show, Festival of Art, now held in October. Reed says the frequency of art shows is very important to artists in rural areas such as Hants County.  "In the city it is so easy to go out and make contact with other artists, and living here we are naturally limited to a handful of the art-related functions so the more of these functions we are able to participate in, the better." She adds, "I personally would love to have a hand in creating a constant space for artists to be able to come together to exchange ideas and create."


Reed isn't the only one. In recent memory,  the Utata Gallery and Inspire Art School, both artist-run facilities in Windsor, have unfortunately had to close their doors. It's left local artists feeling a little frustrated, but more determined to have a permanent home.  After Utata closed, HCAC members tried to find places that would "fit",  like the upper level of the Avon Spirit Museum during its summer season, the Fort Edward Gallery, and HCAC member Jaki Durocher's Inspire Art School, where the group held its meetings until it recently closed.


Enter Brooklyn business owner Joan McKenzie. McKenzie, a dairy farmer turned real estate contractor who sought to have a building for community-use when she was planning her bakery business.  Located in the former Brooklyn Home Hardware, the turn of the twentieth-century building she purchased features a unique space that needed to be used for something equally appropriate.



McKenzie aptly named her business the Bread Gallery.  "I've dabbled in artsy things, but I mostly come from a family of art collectors and admirers," says
McKenzie. "So I thought it would be neat to mix the two together and it seems to be working out so far," she said. 


McKenzie intended to start hosting art shows when she opened the bakery last May, but opted to not bite off more than she could chew. The Bread Gallery hosted its first small show in December with two local artists. A larger HCAC show featuring twelve members' works will open on March 9 and run until the last week of April. This way, participating artists can also be in the Great Little Art Show at the ARHS Museum in Newport Landing: a traditional, key fundraiser for the museum being held April 27-29.


Reed says the partnership with the Bread Gallery makes sense because
artists are also entrepreneurs. "Thanks to other local entrepreneurs, like Joan
opening the gallery, Kelly Mitchelmore hosting fundraising events like Paint Windsor, and Kathy Monroe planning the Avondale Art Fair, Hants County
artists now have several opportunities to show and sell their work locally," she says. "Over the last year the HCAC has received a great deal of support from the local community and many other arts and culture-based business have stepped forward to join as members."  Last year the group changed the venue for the Festival of Art to the historic Vaughan Shand Centre, another recently renovated historic building intending to promote its own unique blend of personal and community awareness.


With her 1950s Airstream housing her mobile art boutique currently
located in Ellershouse, Reed has her own plans to renovate her garage to an open studio where she will be joined by folk artist Jim Tracey when she re-opens in the spring.  "I can't take the Airstream everywhere so it would be nice if we didn't always have to travel such long distances to share our work with the public."  - §

Participating artists at The Bread Gallery are:

HCAC Group Show opening March 9th at The Bread Gallery

June Brown
Carlos DaRosa
Dora Davis
Terri Greencorn
Andrea Hardy
Gerald Jank
Carol Morrison
Sharon Olgilvie
Tacha Reed
Sue Robinson
Pauline Sullivan
Jim Tracey