Art Magazine May – August 2023

May - August 2023

Board members Kathy Holmes, Peg Ainsley, Ora Steyn, Christine Earl and Sarah Leo gather at the new Ladysmith Gallery at 32 High Street

Ladysmith Gallery Set to Open in Historic Temperance Hotel Building

The arts community in Ladysmith is buzzing with anticipation as the Ladysmith Gallery prepares to open its doors in the historic Temperance Hotel building. Just in time for the 20th anniversary of the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District, the new gallery has undergone extensive renovations to transform the former hotel into a world-class art space.

With the gallery soon to be located to the heart of downtown Ladysmith, the transition to this new location will bring about many positive opportunities and foster new connections for artists, visitors, and community members.

“We've been working tirelessly to explore new ways to support our members, and this initiative is an example of that. Our goal is to provide a platform for the community to appreciate art while also offering support to our members,” said Kathy Holmes, President of the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District “I firmly believe this gallery will bring a fresh energy and level of diversity to the local shopping and sightseeing scene, and it will affirm that Ladysmith is an exciting community as well as an attractive destination "

The Temperance Hotel building dates back to the early 1900s and has a rich history It has served as a hotel, a boarding house, a residential building, and a retail space The renovations maintain the building's heritage status

The Ladysmith Gallery will feature a range of art styles and media including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. It will also host gallery rentals for artists wanting to put on solo or group exhibits.

"We are excited to showcase the incredible talent of our local artists and to bring new and exciting works to our community," said Farrell Elliott, Ladysmith Gallery Coordinator." The gallery will be a hub for creativity and cultural exchange, and we can't wait to welcome everyone."

The grand opening of the Ladysmith Gallery is expected to bring in artists, art enthusiasts, and members of the community. Opening details will be announced shortly, and everyone is invited to attend and celebrate the vibrant arts scene in Ladysmith

From the front cover image: 2022-2023 Board members not photographed include Lorna Beecroft, Laurie Campbell, Sonia Isaacson, Patti Parkyn and Andrea Rosato-Taylor.

WHIMSY

MAY 10- 26, 2023

FREE ADMISSION

444 Parkhill Terrace, Ladysmith

A D Y S M I T H ART SHOW

Monday to Friday, 11 AM-4 PM

LWhimsey (noun): playfully quaint or fanciful behaviour or humour.

Art as play, play with art. Depict whimsical subjects, share art created on a whim or anything that makes you smile. Let’s bring the lighter side of art to our next exhibit!

WWW.LADYSMITHARTS.CA

"PLAYFULLY QUAINT OR FANCIFUL BEHAVIOR OR HUMOUR."

GET TO KNOW THE ARTS ON THE AVENUE FEATURED ARTIST

Get to Know Grant Leier

What drew you to the medium and style of work you create?

I trained as a commercial illustrator at the Alberta College of Art in Calgary and at the Illustrators Workshop in New York. This gave me a vocabulary of techniques and a drawing ability that was more geared towards rendering tea kettles in a Sears catalogue than doing fine art, but I have somehow managed to use these skills in the gallery and art world.

Where have you found inspiration recently, and how do you apply that to your work?

I currently, and actually always, have found inspiration pretty much everywhere: from stacks of Folgers Coffee at Country Grocer, layouts in current and vintage magazines, mailers that get dropped in your doorway, television, car design and packaging.

The natural world, like landscapes, leaves me cold and uninspired. If there is a road sign on a deserted highway in the most beautiful valley on the island, I would paint the road sign.

What response do you hope for in viewers of your work?

I hope viewers of my work are enchanted with the colour, pattern and design, curious about the imagery, and are able to connect with the piece because of their own experiences. I want them to find the work uplifting and want to live with it in their home.

What has been a standout moment in your artistic journey?

Perhaps a stand-out moment in my career would have been flying several friends from the island to Calgary to celebrate the opening of the Coca Cola Pavilion at the Calgary Olympics in 1988.

I was commissioned to do the facade for the Coca Cola Center and realized, upon arrival with my entourage, that I had the wrong weekend.

Where do you hope to take your art practice next?

My art practice next, well, I just keep going, and the work gets more honest and unapologetic.

Grant Leier has been showing his work across Canada for fifty years He is a mixed-media artist whose bright and colourful works includes painting, collage, textiles and found objects Inspired by studies at the Illustrators Workshop in New York, Grant found a love of pattern, which guides him in attempting to evoke excitement, humour, nostalgia, and a sense of celebration in his work Grant feels fortunate to love his career and share it with his partner Nixie.

In 1998, a quarter century ago, a group of local artists got together to organize the first ever Arts on the Avenue event on Ladysmith’s First Avenue.

This celebrated annual event, which has since become the third largest juried art market on Vancouver Island, was first pioneered by the original organizing committee: Marina Latulippe, Pauline Harrison, Yvonne De Foor, Wendy Rawlek, Roberta Parker, Louise Tenisci, Pam Fairchild and Bonnie Cruickshank.

Over the next 25 years, many other dedicated volunteers and Arts Council staff have donated their time and energy to keeping this event going and thriving Over the years, this event has grown from 20 original participating artists to over 50 juried artists and artisans

Arts on the Avenue provides artists and craftspeople of the region with the opportunity to expand their patron base and forge connections with other artists.

As many as 6000 yearly visitors have a chance to engage with these superbly talented individuals and view a wide variety of art forms including pottery, printmaking, woodworking and carving, basketry, painting and more.

In 2015, "Light Up the Night," a family-oriented evening celebrating the arts, was added to the event to provide fun for all ages. With a night market, street food, musical entertainment, painting competitions and more, Light Up the Night brought new opportunities for engaging with the arts.

Now known as the "Arts on the Avenue Festival," this two-day event brings in artists from across the region as well as members of Ladysmith’s business community and other non-profit organizations

The Ladysmith Downtown Business association says that their retailers see a notable increase in the number of visitors and transactions during this event too.

This year marks Arts on the Avenue’s 25th Anniversary, and it’s time to celebrate. Join the fun, meet the artists, listen to live music, and feel the creativity in the air.

This year’s featured artist is Grant Leier, a celebrated and much loved artist who lives on Vancouver Island and is known for his vibrant, eyecatching works.

Light Up the Night will see an update this year and is being rebranded as "Art Jam." This family-friendly art experience will include demonstrations, art-making stations, lots of performances and more

Arts on the Avenue Festival will run August 26 and 27, 2023, on First Ave between Buller and Warren Street.

Mark Your Calendar!

SPEAKER DAY JUNE 3, 2023

Join us for a free day of art speakers and demos.

RSVP at www.LadysmithArts.ca

Event info and registration will be posted on our website.

Saturday. 3rd of June, 2023

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

444 Parkhill Terrace, Ladysmith

HAPPINESS L A D Y S M I T H

ART SHOW

"THE STATE OF BEING HAPPY."

JUNE 7 - JULY 2, 2023

HOURS MAY VARY - PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE.

FREE ADMISSION

32HIGHSTREET,LADYSMITH

Happiness (noun): a state of well-being and contentment; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.

Do you feel happy when you make art? Have you felt joy when you’ve finished a piece of art? Help us put together an exhibit full of happiness that will make viewers smile when they walk through the door!

ACLD Celebrates 20 Years

Twenty years ago, a group of artists in Ladysmith had a conversation about the need for an arts council.

The first board completed a Society Act Certificate of Incorporation, and the document was issued on June 26, 2003. It was signed by the Society’s first president, Roberta Barber, along with Bonnie Cruickshank, Leonard Harrison, Lois Romanow, and Janet Marston.”

The group began meeting in homes and at the local hospital doctor’s lounge to have conversations about their dream of a Ladysmith gallery

After much conversation, the Town of Ladysmith agreed to give the Arts Council part of the upper floor of the historic waterfront machine shop for gallery, studio and office spaces.

The place was a mess, but that didn’t matter; the first board of directors was determined to open a gallery in Ladysmith. Volunteers scrubbed, painted and cleaned, and they made this dream come true.

The Arts Council of Ladysmith and District (ACLD) lived and thrived in the waterfront space for 13 years. The non-profit raised funds and invested more than $300,000 to renovate the building and gave the community an accessible place to explore, share and celebrate our local arts and culture

The waterfront building hosted countless exhibitions, classes, workshops, festivals, educational talks and concerts.

With over 15,000 people participating annually, the space was a vibrant rainbow of diversity, and established an artistic heartbeat for the community.

In September of 2019, a powerful storm blew a portion of the roof off the building, and the Arts Council was relocated to a vacant school. It was a struggle to make the space serviceable and accessible since it is out of the way compared to the waterfront location. In early 2020, COVID-19 arrived, adding insult to injury.

Despite these challenges, we’ve been resilient and resourceful in continuing to develop the arts in our region. We completed a research project with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. We bounced between online and in-person activities according to changing pandemic protocols.

“We talk about art all the time It’s in our discussions about the design of buildings or machinery, the written word, a sunset, a favourite piece of music, talks about how a play or a painting makes us feel. Art is everywhere.”

- Kathy Holmes

We taught teachers to engage differently in their work and helped them feel comfortable with digital technology. We were the first Island arts council to hold a virtual fine art show We chased innovation and hired staff that are digitally savvy, and we taught over 400 artists how to leverage digital tools.

Now, three years later, we found we must stay proactive and find a new gallery location. Attaining the grant funding required for seismic upgrades and repairs at the waterfront machine shop could take seven to ten years.

We asked our current President, Kathy Holmes, what she envisions for the ACLD in ten years. She said, “I see the Arts Council being a strong not-for-profit and fulfilling and supporting the arts in our community We'll provide opportunities for anyone to take a class, visit a gallery, and see public art in our town."

Kathy continued: "People are already saying Ladysmith is an artsy town. In addition to visual arts, we hope to see more live performances as well.”

We asked our first President, Roberta Barber, how she feels about having started such a vibrant, successful organization. She shared, “Pablo Picasso said that action is the foundational key to all success The present day ACLD members have definitely proven this to be true."

Roberta continued: "When the group set out to incorporate, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the ACLD being as successful as it is today. It definitely gives me immense satisfaction to know that 20 years ago I contributed in some way I'm looking forward to the next 20 years. Congratulations.”

The determination and creativity of 300 members, some of whom will be celebrating 20 years of membership, and the willingness and work of dedicated boards of directors over the years have proven that art is a big deal.

We are pleased that we will soon open the Ladysmith Gallery in downtown Ladysmith Being a part of the bustling energy in the town’s center will make the gallery attractive once again for residents as well as tourist traffic. We are currently running a Capital Campaign. If you know of an individual or business who would like to make a contribution to the arts, please let us know at president@ladysmitharts.ca. Thank you for being a part of the Arts Council’s success.

The ability to be creative, to pivot quickly, to understand change and to be positive have remained at the heart of the Arts Council’s reputation and allowed us to continue to show that art is thriving in Ladysmith.

L A D Y S M I T H

30-DAYARTCHALLENGE June2023

Welcometothe30-DayArtChallengeforJune2023hostedbythe ArtsCouncilofLadysmithandDistrict!

Howtoparticipate:

Useanymedium,anysize,andmakeartfollowingtheoptional prompts

Snapaphotographofyourwork

JoinourprivateFacebookgroup:

facebook.com/groups/ladysmithartschallenge

ShareyourworkintheFacebookgroupforotherstoenjoy;thisis optionalbuthighlyencouraged

HousekeepingNotes:

Thisisasupportiveandinclusiveonlinespace.Weaskthatall participantsarerespectfulofeachother.Bullyingand harrassmentwillnotbetolerated.

Participantsareencouragedtointeractwitheachother,but pleaserememberthisisnotacritiquegroupunlesstheauthorof thepostasksforfeedbackontheirwork.

NEW:

Thisgroupwillremainopenallyear,andwewilladdnewchallenges everyonceandawhile,sokeepcheckingback!

Questions?

Emailinfo@ladysmitharts.ca

L A D Y S M I T H

WATER ART SHOW

JULY 5 - JULY 30, 2023

HOURS MAY VARY - PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE

FREE ADMISSION

32HIGHSTREET,LADYSMITH

Water (noun): a clear liquid, without colour or taste, that falls from the sky as rain and is necessary for animal and plant life.

Verb: to give or produce water in some way.

Water is essential to our lives and most of us connect to it in a positive way. There is something special about living near water. We keep our heads above water, we water our plants, our mouths water as do our eyes. Let’s celebrate the main ingredient of our bodies and the planet: water.

H-ART QUESTIONS

A space for uplifting accounts from the community. Every edition will showcase your diverse answers to a single question.

WHAT'S A SPECIAL MEMORY YOU'VE HAD WITH THE ARTS COUNCIL?

H-ART ANSWERS:

“I loved being in a room with creative artists and supporters. I was happy to have Kathy Holmes make herself available back when it was looking like Arts on the Avenue was unlikely to get off the starting line. She has been so good for art and creativity among Ladysmith and area artists.”

-James Hensman

“The Arts Council opened the doors to the world for me, encouraging me to show my work, and supporting me to further the development of my art. This is a fabulous group of people that I'll be grateful to forever... A great family of the arts.”

-Ruben Galdames Casorzo

“What a celebration! The Arts Council is unrecognizable from the group of scattered artists working in isolation that I volunteered with back in the late 1990s. I wasn’t an artist, but I had some administrative background, so my special memory is receiving the approved documents from the government confirming the Arts

Council was registered as a non profit organization. It was a foundation that allowed the group to apply for funding to promote the artists residing in Ladysmith and area. The bonus for me was the people I met along the way and some of the art that now adorns the walls of our home.”

-Roberta Pratt Barber

"Being on the Arts Council and witnessing all the creative joy it brings people, as we give artists and art enthusiasts an outlet, is a rewarding opportunity for me to celebrate the vibrant diversity and brilliance that exists within Ladysmith and district. I am proud to be on a team of such empowering, forward thinking, inclusive, lovely and hardworking individuals."

-Sarah Leo

"Simply put, my favourite memory is seeing the gallery, because a space is the heart of an art council. Having a base to function is essential, and that's why we have thrived and really done well, especially with all the enthusiastic people who have made it happen. Ladysmith does have that. It's our focal point. Kathy Holmes knows and brings so many people together, so our success is due to her as well. We've come a long way from grant writing to a proper arts council."

-Armando Dos Santos

“My favourite and fondest memories are in the Waterfront Gallery. What a beautiful place to host private shows! Over the last few years of the Arts Council‘s residency in the Waterfront Gallery in the machine shop, the last 10 days of each month were made available for private shows. During that time, we had the privilege of seeing amazing, complete bodies of work from extremely talented and professional artists and art groups. With many hopes, dreams and prayers, these shows may once again become a reality in future years.”

-Leona Petrak

ANSWERS FROM KATHY HOLMES,

ACLD PRESIDENT:

“There are many special memories for me. When I see a team of volunteers putting a show together in the gallery, I hear their laughter and positive comments while they are working together. And, after they have all gone home, I take a walk through the show and am filled with overwhelming pride for the Arts Council. I am so grateful for our volunteers and artists and for those people who visit the gallery. It always makes me cry just a little."

"When I discovered that this year marks 10 years of publishing Art Magazine, I'm proud to see it growing with the help of the magazine team members. They are creative, clever, smart and love putting it together for our members."

"Well, 25 years of Arts on the Ave. Who knew! This event was brought under the purview of the Arts Council, and the dream of the first organizer, Marina Latallippe, lives on. The volunteers who work so hard to make this festival one of the best on Vancouver Island bring me joy. The event brings together great artists, musicians, families, visitors, and other community organizations. I know there are economic benefits for the artists and the town—that’s a good thing!"

"I appreciate all the people who have stepped up to be on the board of directors over the years. They laid the foundation and helped create one of the best arts councils in B.C. We are recognized for our innovation, forward thinking, inclusivity, and education as well as our support of local artists.”

L A D Y S M I T H

TRAVEL ART SHOW

"TO GO FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER."

AUGUST 2 - AUGUST 27, 2023

HOURS MAY VARY - PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE

FREE ADMISSION

32HIGHSTREET,LADYSMITH

Travel (verb): to go from one place to another. To move, proceed, progress, advance.

Travelling is something we all do, for work or recreation. To connect with others or change our lives, we travel. Animals, birds and butterflies travel. News travels, light travels. We see things “on our travels.” Where have you been? How has travel affected you? Let’s get moving and share your interpretation of travel.

WWW.LADYSMITHARTS.CA

U R I N G :

JOHN EDWARDS

PARVANEH FARHANGPOUR

EDIE FISHLOCK

CANDICE JAMES

SHELLEY A. LEEDAHL

SARAH LEO

KAREN POIRIER

JEFF SALMON

ANGELA SPENCE

KATE WILTON

CELEBRATE:

verb. To acknowledge a significant happy day or event

THANK YOU:

For your blissful poetry contributions on the topic of celebration <3

CELEBRATIONS

OF LIFE

We celebrate life's milestones, from beginning to the end

The birth of a new baby, the passing of a friend

The big events, the small events, each special in their way

But what about the little things, that happen every day

A hundred thousand miracles, we often fail to see

The opening of a flower, the humming of a bee

There's wonder all around us, if we'd only stop and look

The rushing of a river, the trickle of a brook

We celebrate each year of life, with birthday cheers and parties And special days that come between, that make us feel lighthearted

Our first new job, our final job, all get congratulations

The best of life, the worst of life, There's cards for all occasions

But we don't send cards to beavers, for the building of their dams

Or buy balloons for mother sheep, for giving us spring lambs

No diplomas go to caterpillars, when they graduate, and transform

Or little gifts for mother birds, when their baby chicks are born

Let's celebrate the smaller things that make our lives much better News from a friend, not seen in years, in an unexpected letter

A kindly deed, out of the blue, given freely with no fuss

But most of all, the way we can, celebrate just being us

ⓒ Angela Spence

BLOWING OUT THE CANDLES

Rainbow colored confetti springs into the air, Like my heart!

With a flicker of candles, and soft glow on faces, I breathe the excitement of secret wishes.

Diving into my mind at the thought of possibility, Waves of speckled sunlight, Stream through the surface, and swim with my joy, As I realize...

I wished for this moment...

For this company,

For those off-tone birthday notes, and for this split-second memory.

From the vibrant pool of my thoughts, I kick to the surface, and blow out the candles... In celebration of life.

Sarah Leo

ⓒ

LO DE MARCOS

It's taken three weeks, but we've won over the dour housekeeper, Rosario, who smiled at us and said "Bonita pareja" as we left the hotel to watch the sun rise over the lagoon, the coconut palms, the mountain we climbed to trespass at the villa— Italianate, and years under construction. The yellow-bodied birds we've come to know as social flycatchers lit the sky in pairs.

Imagine, we said to each other on the villa's terrace, waking to this ocean vista, humpback whales and the colourful pueblo where the panadero sells pastries from a rusty car, iguanas laze in the heat, and street dogs follow us down the dusty lanes, trying their hardest to adopt us.

After individual years of sorrow, your wife's too-early passing, it’s come to this—

Mexican sunrises in mango hues, the white-on-white poetry of egrets lifting elegant legs in the foamy surf. Strangers in paradise recognizing what we’ve found, and calling us a beautiful couple.

DANCE WITH THE SURPRISES

Taste the mist of a shooting star, Ride the surf on the milky-way, Climb to the edge of a shimmering moonbeam

And slide down its highway of dreams. Embrace the moment

And dance with the surprises. Stop at the door with double locks. Find the keys within yourself. Stand at the edge of uncertainty And dive into the river of chance. Embrace the moment

And dance with the surprises. Listen to the whispering wind. Walk through the echoes of the rain. Swim in the sea of a pristine snowflake

And rest in the arc of a pastel rainbow. Embrace the moment

And dance with the surprises.

Open up your heart and soul. Keep your spirit flowing free. Hear the rhythm of the universe

And when the music plays, Dance… Dance with the surprises.

ⓒ Candice James Poet Laureate

ⓒ Shelley A. Leedahl

Shelley A. Leedahl is a professional, multi-genre writer in Ladysmith, B.C. Her most recent book, Go (Radiant Press), is available from Salamander Books.

IN WEDDING WHITE

I see you standing there

In wedding white on this summer day

A fragrance of rose on the air

As loved ones send blessings our way.

I hold your hand in mine

As I whisper, “Yes, I do.”

Here in the meadow home to a tree

By a wildflower kissed by a bee.

You hold my hand in yours

As you whisper, “Yes, I do.”

Now by the brook flowing down its path

Gently as a mother gives her baby a bath

Then, a stroll to the orchard

Where I whisper, “I love you ”

Here in shade on this warm summer day

You refresh my soul. Compel me to stay.

I see you standing there

In wedding white on this summer day.

A fragrance of rose on the air

As loved ones send blessings our way.

GROUNDHOG DAY

Earliest of February I am called outside And go

To rake the last of the brittle windfall branches

To coax the spears of snowdrops from leaf littered beds

To see the robins flocking on the pasture.

Change is in the air.

I step into my gumboots and glance through the window

There lies my knitting curled on the sofa

Near the firebox coals

Both left unattended

Down the stairs I hurry

Knowing a small shift in mood may collapse my purpose

I grip the old handles of the wheelbarrow

And push off from winter’s shore

My body and breath rediscover the rhythms

Of working the land.

Old muscles resist Old joints rebel As I reach and bend

Relearning the dance of gardeners. For another turn around the flowerbeds I am grateful. My heart sings towards spring.

ⓒ Jeff Salmon

ⓒ Edie Fishlock

LOVE POEM

Falling between mountains you are almost out of sky

Like the moons of Jupiter suspended

On my Plantagenet soul

Or white moths upon the sunset

Between flukes of a derelict anchor

Abandoned on Long Beach to the grey roaming sands

You delve into my eyes like a secret river

How many stars have you cast into their fires?

You crucify my heart at the indigo moment of sunset

After a night of frozen duels my heart was a constellation

Spinning into eternity

Into your gravity was I drawn in starstorm

Like a meteor incandescent, without respite

As tempests overturn tombstones of granite

Beach great freighters, deracinate forests

Inter church bells under prostrate spires

Now you wander across my sight

As a mountain mist, delicate as corn silks in summer

Momentary as the white of alder leaves blown back

By the intemperance of a sudden April breeze

Behind the sleeping mountain, behind Mt. Brenton, You are the pale fire of a lily

Maid of all beautiful causes I cannot describe you further You are the white sun which shines within the eyes

Of every drop of morning dew

On every blade of grass I am blessed to view

Laureate

CELEBRATE LIFE

In the dark, cold of winter, after the holiday cheer, comes a time to look inward, to hold yourself dear.

As you tend your inner landscape, there is nothing to fear. Listen for your inner healer, She is being sincere.

When she celebrates your presence, you may be tempted to sneer, but she knows your worthiness, so don’t interfere.

Place your hand on your heart, let your Inner Healer be loud and clear, as she applauds each and every effort, the way you continue to persevere.

Things haven’t come easy, year after year. So, let’s celebrate each breath, and the fact you're still here.

ⓒ John Edwards Poet

ⓒ Kate Wilton

SEPTEMBER WITHIN...

You have many worlds

In each

Many cities

Many roads

Many homes.

Many sunrises and sunsets are within you

Many colours

Many horizons

No one has seen them before.

Hundreds of mirrors shine inside you

In each

You stand

A different person

A different character

A different you.

Many rivers flow within you...

Green forests growing

Rain of loving-kindness falling

Deserts of separation

Gardens of compassion

Mountains of ambition

Long roads... of patience

Fires of love

Lions of courage

Deers of innocence

All ... are within you

ALMOST

Coffee in a paper cup, chocolate donuts in a box, colourful laughter, quiet chatter, early morning mist.

Seagulls perch

Inspect, serenade. Passengers climb the metal walkway, nomads for a day, Beneath my feet a boat motor grinds Muted blue headlands, and green velvet trees rise up from the sea Ragged reflections on either side of glistening grey waters. White domed eagles, Sharp-eyed, stare from tree tops. My grey hair, blows in the wind, face cooled, camera ready. Puffy clouds drape blue-green greyness and an elfin village, red postage-stamp roofs, strawberry ripple ice cream and a walk on the boardwalk.

I taste freedom, touch the rough texture of wooden railings, revel in gardens, wild with Morning Glories, rhododendrons wide as a city block and tiny houses soaked in sea breath. I feel fresh air sleepy, and dream of home, riding the “Francis Barkley” on an almost September day.

ⓒ Karen Poirier

ⓒ Parvaneh Farhangpour