THE OUTCROPPING 2014 24X48
Hello everyone,
Thought I would post a short note while I wait for my very cold studio to warm up. For weeks, it’s been in the minus tens here in Southwestern Ontario. The hot summer and cozy fall feel like distant memories and we are all longing for a touch of spring. The snow on either side of our drive is neck deep.
Perfect time to give you the scoop on an upcoming group show, soon to open at our local Carnegie Gallery in Dundas.
Just in the past year, I’ve had the great pleasure of learning about an international Christian organization called A Rocha. Their mandate is to engage in scientific research, environmental education and community-based conservation projects, and they are open to all faiths and cultures. A new A Rocha centre is becoming established in Ontario, with a 95-acre rural property in Flamborough, just south of Freelton (a pleasant 20 minute drive from my home). Cedar Haven Farm has both wild and cultivated acreages, as well as a historic house, a pond, a few barns, and animal enclosures.
FENCEROW 1 2014 24X24
What better way to promote this organization than with art? We decided to approach ten artists, all working in different mediums, with an invitation: to visit the property and create unique visual responses to the land, with the results to be shown in an exhibition. The artists were delighted with the idea, and Carnegie Gallery accepted our proposal with great enthusiasm. The exhibition runs from March 7 to 30, with an opening reception at 7:30 on March 7.
Of course, I am fully involved with the project, and so is my photographer husband. I will tell you more about the other artists in a future post, but for now I wanted to share my resulting work. On my many visits in three seasons, I was most taken with the way wild areas and fencerows contrasted with the cultivated fields. Bedrock and swampland prevented full use of all the property for agriculture, but a system of trails made all the land accessible. The photos in this post are of the three works I made for the exhibition. I am looking forward to seeing it all come together on March 7!
- WILD APPLE 2014 24X36
Tags: A Rocha, art and science, art making, art process, art textiles, Carnegie Gallery, Cedar Haven Farm, collage, creativity, enhancing creativity, fabric, inspiration, inspiration for art, roots, soil, textile art, trees
Just came home from attending this show in Dundas and absolutely LOVED it. I saw it advertised on your face book page and planned an outing for March break (my husband is a teacher). We enjoyed the exhibit very much. My husband is a Science teacher in a Christian school and is very intrigued with the idea of Cedar Haven Farm. Looking forward to learning more about the organization. I first heard about your art work at the Hamilton Quilter’s Guild 9 or 10 years ago when I was a member during the two years my husband went back to school to get his teacher’s degree and have loved your art ever since that presentation. The whole show at Carnegie Gallery was wonderful!
Jaqui, Thanks so much for your positive comments! I will forward your encouraging words to the local A Rocha team, who are working hard to increase awareness in this area. They will be thrilled!