Helen Utsal
Special to The Record
It’s been happening all around you; sounds of sanding and splashing in studios everywhere. You may even know someone!
Artists up and down the Island, on the mainland, in Alberta, and Ontario, have been busy making pictures in various mediums to fit the parameters of Art Alchemy’s Square Foot Show coming this weekend.
We will have artwork from local talents and new arrivals to the Valley, artists from Powell River, Qualicum Beach, Canmore, Calgary and more. After almost 10 years of doing the show, the word is spreading and it is such a treat for all!
Art Alchemy Studio in Courtenay was founded in 2011 by five artists wishing to have proper studio space and create a place for cross-pollination of inspiration and experiences. It has seen many fine artists over the years pass through the doors and up the unreasonably long set of stairs. The second year of the Square Foot Show took place at Art Alchemy Studio in 2011, and it has continued to be a happily anticipated annual event for the artists as well as the community.
This Friday, Nov. 22, the doors open at 7 p.m. for the opening night party.
The show runs all weekend, Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
As people find a painting they want to buy, they take it right off the wall and to the salesroom. As openings appear in the grid, the display shifts and new things catch your eye.
All of the artwork is the same size and the same price ($225) made by almost 60 different artists. This is a special price and many of the artists sell their 12”x12” panels for much more, so it is a wonderful opportunity to expand your art collection without breaking the bank. Because the show happens every year, it’s a nice way to slowly build a collection that looks good together (all the same size) and you can fit anywhere!
There will be a cash bar and appies as well as a draw to win a free painting or one of two gift certificates for Art Alchemy. The Square Foot Show is generously sponsored by local art lovers Susan Carson and Rick Morson who personally donate to the exhibition annually. Rick and Susan are investment managers at CIBC Wood Gundy.
This year Art Alchemy Studio branched out. Art Alchemy East opened this summer in Leaside. Ten paintings by the artists from our ‘sister studio’ in Toronto will be part of the Square Foot Show this year.
Come out to support the creative people that bring colour to your life.
Here is a list of the artists participating in this year’s show:
Kara Barkved
Samantha Bishop
Nancy Burger
Connie Charnell
Gail Clements
Maureen Coltman
Angela Dawn
Brad Dalzell
Jean Delaney
Marianne Enhorning
Lynn Farwell
Randy and Casey Fox
Ian Fry
Laura Jayne Furnace
Fran Goldberg
Mary Gorman
Lois Goodnough
Cherie Hart
Mindy Harper
Mary Harvey
Lisa Hickey
Martha Jablonski Jones
Karen Jeffrey
Rob Kerr
Josh Klassen
Shea Kotilla
Sharon LaLonde
Brian Latta
Laurie Martz
Cindy Mawle
Trish Malcolmness
Wendy Mayers
Marsha McKinnon
Larissa McLean
Sandy McMullen
Roberta Meilleur
Brittany Meunier
Gail Neuls
Kira Neumann
Christina Nilsson
Michelle Nyberg
Brenda Olinek
Jo Payne
Marilyn Peeters
Christine Riggs
Amanda Ritchie
Katherine Riggs
Angelika Saunders
Lucy Schappy
Wendy Smith
Katherine Stickley
Martha Scouras
Sofie Skapski
Kate Taylor
Helen Utsal
Madeliene Wood
Nicolette Valikoski
Maggie Ziegler
Jason Zunio
Art Alchemy Studio is located at 362-C 10th Street in Courtenay. Upstairs. Sorry, no wheelchair access.
See website for more info at www.artalchemy.ca or call Helen at 250-218-2742