Artists in the Schools

Artists in the Schools

The fall is traditionally a quiet time for this program, which allows us to complete some other related activities. My new associates, Donna Henderson and Shelley Hannah, and I, are working on many exciting things to add to our program this year:

- we are hoping this year to run two special camp days for which we will draw together a selection of students from various schools to participate in an intensive integrated arts day

- our artists attended a luncheon workshop with a guest speaker in curriculum trends in the arts from the Upper Grand District School Board

- we have offered to deliver art workshops for teachers

-we are speaking to artists who want to be added to our complement. By the next artsletter I should have some interesting news on this.

- our storytellers have joined with us and will be more active in schools this year. Some initial experiences last year were very successful.

- we are exploring funding possibilities in some new ways to allow us to far exceed our usual $6,000 budget. If some individual or business would like to become a sponsor of an arts day I would love to speak to them. Funds donated to this will be targeted to a school or activity of your choice and will count as a charitable donation. Donna and I are also working on a grant proposal.

If this brief article sparks interest in any of you, please contact me for a more detailed discussion or explanation.

Ken Topping
519-925-2819
ktopping@sympatico.ca

Artist in the Spotlight - Sharon Wadsworth-Smith

 

Artist in the Spotlight - Sharon Wadsworth-Smith

"I believe art is a buffet and we can choose what we like from the table." - Sharon Wadsworth-Smith

Artist Biography:

Sharon received her artistic education from Kwantlen College in B.C. She has worked as a photographer, graphic artist, and instructor. Her main focus for the past twenty years has been as an art instructor. She states that one of the joys of teaching is when one witnesses a new artist gain experience and become enthusiastic about their creative discoveries. She is now identifying with her students as she returns to classes herself and starts to participate in more shows and group events. Her recent works are inspired by the shapes and colours of the beautiful Hockley Valley where she lives. She has paintings in many collections and galleries.

Artist Statement:

As an artist, I am constantly trying to find new ways to express more vibrant colour in my paintings. With my recent works, I take many reference photos of my subjects and then I distort the colour balance, contrast, and texture and attempt to play with the paint in a carefree, expressive manner.

I enjoy painting still-life, landscapes and crowd scenes, with people enjoying both ordinary and special events like carnivals or town gatherings, farmers’ markets and activities in colourful surroundings. I take many reference photos to work from, or if the weather is good, I will set up my easel and paint from life. In my current series, Painting the Town, I explore the events in small towns in Ontario and observe the people celebrating many diverse community activities.

I like to be adventurous in my choice of medium and enjoy using bold brush strokes. My recent work is in acrylic, but I believe that each medium has its’ own special voice so I choose the one that best portrays the spirit of the painting that I am working on.

Sharon Wadsworth-Smith

www.wadsworthsmithart.com

519-941-6670

Artist in the Spotlight is prepared by Arlene Taylor, Community Outreach Coordinator at DAC

To see all posts go to: 

www.inthehills.ca/blogs/artist-spotlight/ or

dufferinartscouncil.blogspot.com/p/artist-in-spotlight.html. 

Want to be featured? Contact Arlene for further information.

Feb 10 to Mar 10 - A Legacy of Laughter & Sketching Sunshine

Join us for 2 amazing events:

Special Presentation: Leacock – A Legacy of Laughter: An Afternoon With Three Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour Award Winners – Terry Fallis, Trevor Cole and Dan Needles!

Sunday, February 10 - 1:30 pm at Theatre Orangeville

In partnership with BookLore, Theatre Orangeville will be hosting this very special afternoon with three brilliantly funny Stephen Leacock Medal For Humour Award Winners: Terry Fallis, Trevor Cole and Dan Needles. Moderator: Bernadette Hardaker. 

Tickets are $20 (all inclusive) and can be purchased by calling the Theatre Orangeville Box Office at 519-942-3423 or 1-800-424-1295 or online at www.theatreorangeville.ca. 

Complimentary Wine and Cheese and Book Signing Reception to follow. Proceeds from this event will be directed to the Theatre Orangeville New Play Development Fund. 

February 21 - March 10

 

In honour of the 100th anniversary of Canadian legend Stephen Leacock's most enduring work, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, this one-man show starring Joe Matheson conjures up an intimate visit with Canada's preeminent humorist. It is a show filled with laughter, razor-like wit, and thought-provoking insight. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Theatre Orangeville box office at 519-942-3423 or 1-800-424-1295 or online at www.theatreorangeville.ca.

February 09 - The Da Vinci Codex by Toronto Consort

The Toronto Consort presents The Da Vinci Codex, a fully scripted show featuring dances, fantasias and vocal works from the time of Leonardo da Vinci, including music by composers he knew, songs he would have heard, and dances he might have danced to. Interwoven with the music are selections from Da Vinci's own writings. 

The Toronto Consort is Canada’s leading chamber ensemble specializing in the music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and early Baroque. Some of Canada’s leading early music specialists have come together to form the Toronto Consort, whose members include both singers and instrumentalists (lute, recorder, guitar, flute, early keyboards and percussion). 

The concert takes place at St. James' Anglican Church, Caledon East on February 9 at 8 pm.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for students 16 years and under, and may be ordered at www.caledonchamberconcerts.com. 

Tickets may also be purchased at BookLore, Howard the Butcher and Forester's Book Garden. For information call 905-880-2445.

Ken Hall’s Legacy Project

Mulmur sculptor Ken Hall is embarking on an ambitious new project driven by his passion for wildlife and the preservation of natural habitat needed to protect our fragile biodiversity.

Entitled Legacy, the installation features a life-size killer whale skeleton sculpted entirely from reclaimed cedar and suspended from the ceiling, encircled at ground level by a ring of information pedestals resembling the barren stumps left after clearcut logging.

Dealing specifically with the issues surrounding logging on the west coast and its effect on resident killer whale populations, Legacy has particular relevance in our own area in light of the on-going Melancthon quarry proposal.

The goal of Legacy is to initiate discussions about the impacts of natural resource extraction on local communities and ecosystems. It encourages the audience to ask questions like: How did we get here? Are we doing this for the right reasons? Is this extraction sensible and/or sustainable? What can I do about it? Legacy will provide guidance for answering these questions and will encourage the audience to examine their own local issues more deeply.

Legacy will initially be shown at the Dufferin County Museum & Archives during the summer and fall of 2013, and from there it is hoped to springboard a national tour for the exhibition.

At this early stage, we need your help to build momentum for the project. We need you to spread the word. You can help by visiting this website - http://www.indiegogo.com/legacyproject  - and sharing this link with as many people as possible.

E-mail your friends, put it on your blog, post it on Facebook – every little bit helps!

February 4, 2013: Lunch at the Globe with Al Pace

Arctic voyageur, ceramicist, and community supporter par excellence, Al Pace has spoken several times at our luncheons. This time he will focus on the impact of the Arctic on his art and tie in how his Canoe North Adventures with his wife, Lin Ward, give people a view of the artistic beauty of the northern rivers.

Join us for Lunch at The Globe on February 4, 2013.

Call for Artists - In the Hills Artist in the Spotlight

Calling All Artists!

Would you like to be featured on one of the premier websites in our community?

In the Hills has accepted our Artist in the Spotlight blog as one of it's permanent features.

Please contact Arlene Taylor at arlenedufferinarts@gmail.com for details and prepare to be promoted!