2012 Elgin Arts Trail Discover Guide

Discovery Guide

www.elginartstrail.ca

Index Index About Us

1 2

Studios Clayworks Studio Concreations Peter Robson Studios and Gallery Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio Winter Wheat

3 4 5 6 7

Galleries Art Emporium Gallery Minerva Art Gallery & Custom Framing Portside Gallery Shelley McVittie’s Gallery St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre The Arts & Cookery Bank Village Crier Gallery

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Crafters Little Red Mitten 15 Anything Used & Sparta Country Candles 16 Workshops 17 At a Glance 18 Elgin Arts Trail Map Centre

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About Us The County of Elgin, in partnership with the Elgin Business Resource Centre and St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre, invites tourists and the local community to experience the finest visual arts attractions the region has to offer on the Elgin Arts Trail. Launched in the fall of 2011, the Trail provides comprehensive resources to explore 14 studios and galleries exhibiting diverse collections of artwork. Prepare yourself for an imaginative and unforgettable journey of original paintings, pottery, fibre art, candles and more.

Some say that Elgin County- St. Thomas is a work of art itself, with its sprawling countryside, historic city, and towns and villages that charm thousands of tourists annually. The County’s natural beauty and traditional character make it easy to understand how such a vibrant creative arts community developed over the years.

Artistic inspiration is all around.

Start planning your trip today.

Discover your inner artist, explore the Elgin Arts Trail. www.elginartstrail.ca 1-877-GO ELGIN, x168

Elgin Arts Trail Program Developed in partnership with: www.elgincfdc.ca

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Studio 3

A1

Clayworks studio In Elgin County’s northeast is the small, scenic town of Belmont, home to Catherine Craig’s rustic working studio filled with her original clay artwork, sketches and sculptures. A professional visual artist with more than 40 years experience, she values community empowerment and storytelling - the hallmarks of her work. Catherine is a partner in the Art Gallery of Lambeth and has exhibited in many galleries across Southern Ontario in both group and solo exhibitions. A graduate of the University of Windsor’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program, she has also offered private lessons to aspiring artists for more than 30 years. Catherine’s work transcends craft and hobby – it is a lifetime commitment fueled by passion and dedication.

Medium: Pottery, sculptures, sketches, spinning, weaving, paintings

Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 1pm - 5pm Please phone for appointment, or visit by chance.

128 Dyer Street, Belmont ON, N0L 1B0 Blog: http://catherinecraigart.blogspot.com/ (519) 644-0893

Home to hidden garden treasures, Concreations, is a concrete statuary, located just outside of St. Thomas. The new rustic barn store features unique, handmade outdoor ornaments, with statues varying from functional to fun. Andy DeVries, a self-taught craftsperson, is the creative mind behind each artistic piece, making everything himself. See for yourself in Andy’s working studio how he casts garden ornaments in concrete and finishes each statue with stains and varnish to achieve an antique, weathered look. The delightful garden ornaments include animals, stepping stones, and masks that are sure to make your garden or patio come alive with creativity.

Medium: Sculptures

concreations

studio

A2

March to December Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 6pm Monday & Sunday Closed or by appointment 7579 Yarmouth Centre Rd, St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 3S9 www.concreations.ca (519) 631-8192

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Studio

A3

Peter Robson Studios and Gallery Located in the quaint, historic hamlet of Sparta, Ontario, Peter Robson Studios has drawn the attention of art lovers from across the region for more than 30 years. Passion for the studio and original art is a family affair that includes Peter’s wife Eleanor and son Steven, who proudly display Peter’s paintings, limited edition prints and sculptures at the gallery. Well known and highly respected, Peter Robson Studios has the capacity to customize an art program of any size for charities or businesses with existing prints or by special commission. A complete state-of-the-art custom framing centre is located on the premises.

Medium: Paintings, sketches, sculptures, prints, custom framing

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Weekdays Saturday Sunday

10am - 4:30pm 11am - 5pm 12pm - 5pm or by appointment

46340 Main Street, Sparta ON, N0L 2H0 www.entropic-art.com (519) 775-2522

Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio

studio

A4

Opened in 1948 by Jimmie Clennell and Selma Caverly, Pinecroft is considered to be Canada’s oldest continuously operating pottery studio. Tucked away in a 54 acre pine forest, this thriving family-run establishment has produced fine quality earthenware and stoneware pottery for 64 years.

Second generation studio potter Brenda (Caverly) Smith offers a wide range of functional pieces including complete dinner sets. High fired reduction ware is wheel thrown with some slab work. Classes and hands-on workshops are offered in fall and winter in the teaching studio.

Pinecroft also features the work of Tony Clennell (MFA, RCA), who recently joined the studio as an associate potter. Tony is an adjunct professor at Sheridan College and has taught workshops in Canada, USA, Japan, China and Italy.

For the full Pinecroft experience, visit the Green Frog Tea Room for lunch, relax at the massage hut and stay the night at Selma’s Cabin B&B. Medium: Pottery, ceramics, paintings, prints Visit our website for our hours of operation.

Studio generally open daily 9am to 4pm 8122 Rogers Road South, Aylmer West ON, N5H 2R4 www.pinecroft.ca (519) 773-3435

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Studio

A5

WINTER WHEAT Winter Wheat is an enchanting place that celebrates all who take pleasure in expressing what’s in their hearts. Be charmed by the whimsical folk art paintings, sculptures and beautiful gardens created by artist, Lucy Ogletree, alongside her husband Mike Roberts.

Lucy is a self taught Canadian folk artist whose paintings style depicts the days gone by with an added touch of whimsy. The country store offers pockets of delight and delicious expressions of imagination, with displays of Lucy’s artwork and unique gift items from metal garden art to handcrafted wooden birdhouses. Winter Wheat is a wonderful destination to relax and enjoy the company of friends and tranquility of nature.

Mike and Lucy invite you to visit their beautiful gardens, and to be inspired by the creativity and vitality of folk art.

Medium: Paintings, woodcraft, sculptures, prints, metalwork

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Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm Monday Closed Open Holiday Mondays 5277 Quaker Road, Sparta, ON, N0L 2H0 www.winter-wheat.com (519) 775-2618

ART EMPORIUM GALLERY

A popular destination for art enthusiasts, Port Stanley is now home to the Art Emporium, Boathouse Gallery and Gift Boutique.

Discover the talents of local and regional artists in the large, open, and well-lit gallery featuring the eclectic pieces of over 30 regional artists working in many media spanning from paintings to sculptures, photography, pottery, textiles, and more. Operated in partnership by five local artists: Robin Baratta, Sandra England, Robert Reid, Rose Klein, and June-Anne Reid, the Art Emporium demonstrates their passion for art and the desire to share it with others.

GALLERY

A6

While at the Art Gallery explore the Gift Boutique, offering a wide assortment of handcrafted items, made by artisans in the community. The handcrafted goods are a treasure trove of wood turning, hand painted silks, one of a kind aprons, jewellery and artist cards to name but a few. Visitors and art enthusiasts alike are sure to find a unique memento or special gift.

Medium: Paintings, Jewellery, Candles, Photography, Sketches, Woodcraft, Sculptures, Prints, Metalwork, Pottery, Ceramics, Glass, Textiles, Mosaic, Stained Glass Summer Hours: April to December Thursday - Monday 11am - 5pm Winter Hours: January to March Friday to Monday 11am - 5pm 177 Main Street, Port Stanley ON, N5L 1H6 www.artemporium.ca (226) 658-1888 8

gallery

A7

Minerva Art Gallery & Custom Framing Travelling to Egypt at age 17 was life-changing for Kevin Morrell, owner of Minerva Art Gallery. It is the place where he got his first taste of classic art and developed a passion for gods and goddesses of ancient times, like the namesake of his gallery. An avid traveler, Kevin features works from international, Canadian and local artists, highlighting those from Elgin County. He tours the globe to meet artists, investigate their style and quality, and personally select each piece for the gallery.

Minerva Art Gallery is also a one-stop shop for personal and corporate custom framing. Offering a comprehensive selection of frames and art, and the assistance of a dedicated design consultant, it can accommodate any style, budget or timeline.

Medium: Paintings, prints, custom framing Open year round Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Evenings by appointment.

11078 Springwater Road North, Aylmer ON, N5H 2R6 www.minerva-art.com (519) 765-1616

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portside gallery

Nestled in the heart of Port Stanley, one of Elgin County’s most scenic and exciting destinations, Portside Gallery is home to the works of 14 talented regional artists. For 16 years, this artist-managed cooperative has produced high-quality art ranging from realism to abstraction, using a variety of mediums including oil, watercolour, acrylic, ink, pastels and mixed media. Visitors and locals delight in the diverse and vibrant pieces that range from miniature to large in size. Open year-round, anytime is a great time to browse the Gallery and purchase a special treasure to take home.

Medium: Paintings, jewellery, sketches, photography, prints, sculptures

gallery

A8

Monday - Sunday 11am - 5pm in spring, summer and fall, with some reduced days in January and March 187 ½ Main St Port Stanley ON, N5L 1H6 portside.cuttingpromotions.com (519) 782-7066

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gallery

A9

Shelley McVittie’s Gallery Transport yourself back to a simpler time, feel the warm embrace of an open fire, marvel at the vibrant blossoms of a country garden, or watch your breath disappear in the crisp air of a wintry night. Shelley McVittie evokes and vividly reflects these images of old fashioned country charm in her paintings. A professional painter since 1992, her unique yet classic works have steadily gained popularity across Canada and around the world. In addition to her paintings, Shelley McVittie’s Gallery also showcases the work of potter Lydia Harder, textile weaver Linda Elkins, and many fellow Ontario artisans whose attention to quality and detail are impressive and proudly Canadian.

Medium: Paintings, pottery, ceramics, glass, woodcraft, prints, textiles Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 4:30pm Sunday by appointment or chance 48664 John Wise Line, Aylmer ON, N5H 2R4 www.shelleymcvittie.com (519) 773-5912

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St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art CentRE

In the centre of Elgin County lies the centerpiece of its visual arts community - The St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre (STEPAC).

Established in 1969, it is committed to promoting visual arts throughout the region and beyond by preserving an extensive permanent collection and hosting 16 exhibitions annually featuring local, regional and international artists. Also an education-focused organization, STEPAC facilitates educational programs and endorses emerging artists. Among its many events, the annual Fall Art Auction in November provides art lovers with an opportunity to purchase unique souvenirs while supporting STEPAC’s programs and the vibrant St. Thomas-Elgin arts community.

Medium: Paintings, jewellery, pottery, ceramics, glass, sketches, photography, woodcraft, sculptures, prints, metalwork

Tuesday - Wednesday

10am - 9pm

Thursday - Friday

12pm - 4pm

Saturday

12pm - 3pm

Sunday

10am - 4pm

gallery

A10

301 Talbot Street, St. Thomas ON, N5P 1B5 www.stepac.ca (519) 631-4040

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gallery

A11

The Arts & Cookery Bank The Arts & Cookery Bank, a regional cultural destination, is a story of courage and commitment – a venue worth visiting. The Bank uses photography as a historical visual record. Images from Dutton-Dunwich, Newbury, Southwest Middlesex and West Elgin, which span more than 200 years, are digitally displayed on multi-touch media kiosks. Hundreds of old and current photos tell a rapidly-changing story of rural southwestern Ontario.

Visit this stunning venue – a restored 1914 Bank of Montreal and an 1883 timber frame barn – for a nostalgic, gripping, inspirational and authentic rural experience.

Medium: Photography Tuesday - Friday Monday

11am - 5pm Closed

Call for events on Saturdays and Sundays.

242 Graham Road, West Lorne ON, N0L 2P0 www.theartsandcookerybank.com (519)768-9986

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Village Crier Gallery

Jenny Phillips, owner of Village Crier Gallery, is best known as an artist who delights in recording the vanishing rural landscape of southwestern Ontario while capturing the essence and history of rural life.

Her paintings are vibrant, dynamic, and illustrate a wide-range of country scenes from nature to architecture. Each piece at the Village Crier Gallery is part of a larger story that Jenny is happy to share with visitors. In addition to selling original art, the gallery also offers custom framing services, publishes fine art and books, is a dealer of custom tin ceilings and sells specialty stained glass lighting.

Medium: Paintings, prints, sketches, custom framing, photography

gallery

A12

Monday - Saturday 9am - 5:30pm or anytime by appointment.

194 Currie Road, Dutton ON, N0L 1J0 http://villagecrierdutton.ca (519) 762-2862

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crafter 15

A13

Little Red Mitten For Joan Janes, opening Little Red Mitten in her hometown of St. Thomas brought to fruition a lifetime love of fibre arts. As a teenager, she worked at the local Parkspin mill, an opportunity that ignited her passion for the peacefulness of spinning at a wheel. Situated in one of St. Thomas’ most historic neighbourhoods, the spacious, 1842 building houses yarns from around the world. A variety of fibres are available at Little Red Mitten including: cottons, wools, alpaca, and silk. Fibre artists from beginner to enthusiast can take advantage of the best selection of knitting tools around. Take classes, join a knitting group, or try a new knitting pattern created by the owner herself. Look, touch, and be enticed. Little Red Mitten is a woolly inspiring place!

Medium: Fibre arts

Monday - Wednesday Thursday - Friday Saturday Sunday

10am - 5pm 10am - 8pm 10am - 5pm Closed

86 Talbot Street, St. Thomas ON, N5P 1A5 www.littleredmitten.ca (519) 207-2880

Anything used and Sparta Country Candles

One of Elgin County’s best kept - and best smelling - secrets lies in an old general store built in 1838 in the historic village of Sparta. Since 1995, the Muscat family has been filling homes with their high-quality scented candles, and creating a loyal customer base that keeps coming back for more. Sparta Country Candles contain as much as three times more scent than average, and are sold in many different sizes at unbeatable prices. Doors are open daily so stop by, pick up some candles and try a piece of homemade fudge. It only makes scents!

Medium: Candle and candle product manufacturing

Monday - Sunday 10am - 5pm Closed Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day

crafter

A14

46361 Sparta Line, Sparta ON, N0L 2H0 www.spartacandles.com (519) 775-0054

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WORKSHOPS Workshops at Elgin Arts Trail locations are great creative outlets. From photography and pottery, the studios, galleries and crafters offer numerous opportunities to discover your inner artist. For a complete list of our members workshops and events visit www.elginartstrail.ca.

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Workshop

Description

Date/Time

Location

Individual Knitting Instruction

Enjoy a variety of scheduled knitting classes from beginner to advanced.

Call the shop (519-207-2880) or check our website, www.littleredmitten.ca – for the current schedule.

Anytime, by appointment

Little Red Mitten

Pottery/ Sculpture/ and more

Classes and workshops in pottery,sculpture, drawing, painting, weaving and spinning offered. Workshops can be arranged for up to 6 students.

Anytime, by appointment

Clayworks Studio

Pottery

Brenda Smith offers classes in pottery focusing on the wheel. Classes are held in the pottery studio on site and both evening and daytime sessions are offered.

Classes and hands-on workshops are offered in fall and winter.

Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio

Painting with your Inner Voice

Painting with your inner voice is focused on guiding participants to tell a story through their art while developing drawing and painting skills and a person style. These workshops are appropriate for all levels of experience, including beginners.

Registration information and course dates are available online at www.stepac.ca

St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre

Smart Art Classes for Children

Discover the world of art making through exploration and experimentation with a variety of materials and organized activities. Basic skills in drawing, painting, and sculpture will be considered. Imagination, self-confidence and individual style are encouraged.

Registration information and course dates are available online at www.stepac.ca

St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre

Digital Photo Classes

Take digital photo classes in a state-of-the-art digital photo lab and interactive photo classroom. Classes will be for all ages, so kids, tweens, teens, seniors and families are welcome.

Registration information and photo class schedules are available online at www.theartsandcookerybank.com

The Arts & Cookery Bank

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Clayworks Studio Concreations Peter Robson Studios and Gallery Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio Winter Wheat Art Emporium Gallery Minerva Art Gallery & Custom Framing Portside Gallery Shelley McVittie’s Gallery St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre The Arts & Cookery Bank Village Crier Gallery Little Red Mitten Anything Used & Sparta Country Candles

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Woodcraft

Textiles

Sketches

Scultpures

Prints

Pottery

Photography

Paintings

Metalwork

Glass

Jewellery

Fibre Arts

Custom Framing

Ceramics

Candles

At a glance

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London Studios A1

Clayworks Studio

A2

Concreations

A3

Peter Robson Studios and Gallery

A4

Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio

A5

Winter Wheat Galleries

A8

Portside Gallery

A9

Shelley McVittie’s Gallery

A10

St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre

A11

The Arts & Cookery Bank

A12

Village Crier Gallery

Th

Dutton

Crafters A13

Little Red Mitten

A14

Anything Used & Sparta Country Candles

Shedden

d

Minerva Art Gallery & Custom Framing

eR

A7

Talbotv

rri

Art Emporium Gallery

Cu

A6

A12

West Lorne S15 A11

S17

Wallacetown

Rodney

Fingal

Po

S11 S19

Eagle New Glasgow

Lake Er

Belmont A1

Wineries & Breweries

Lyons Springfield

S1

Quai Du Vin

S2

Railway City Brewing Company

S3

Rush Creek Wines Restaurants & Sweets

ville

New Sarum

S2 S13 A13A10

St. homas

S8

S16

S4 A4 S14 A9

A2

S9

Aylmer John St. South

S12

John St. North

A7

Richmond S18

Straffordville Vienna

S1 A14 A3

Sparta S20

S4

Green Frog Tea Room at Pinecroft

S5

Harbourtown Fudge

S6

Kettle Creek Inn

S7

Killer Desserts & Café

S8

Mad Hatters Tea Room

S9

Ruby’s Cookhouse

S10

Windjammer Inn Markets

S11

Empire Valley Farm Market

S12

Farmgate Market

S13

Horton Farmers’ Market

S14

Howe Family Farm Market

A5

ort Stanley A8 S7

S10 A6

rie

Agri-tourism

S3

S5

S6

Port Bruce Suggested Travel Route

Port Burwell

S15

Arts & Cookery Bank

S16

Clovermead Bees & Honey

S17

Great Lakes Farms

S18

Heritage Line Herbs

S19

Lavender Sense

S20

Steed and Company Lavender