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Vol.16 No. 8
The
VOICE
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Proud to be
The Voice of Pelham
for 15 years
Celebrating our 15th anniversary in print
Best show for fine arts is in Pelham BY SARAH MURRELL VOICE Staff For Lockport, New York artist Michael McMahon the Pelham Art Festival isn’t just an opportunity to sell his wares. It’s a chance to reconnect with the Canadian art community and associate with some of the best fine artists in Southern Ontario. McMahon, a watercolour artist who first began painting at the age of 12, explains his first big success was in Canada, when a Niagara-on-theLake resident bought every piece he had at a show in the historic town, and he has always felt a strong connection to Canada. “The people I knew on the Canadian side were always very giving,” says McMahon, noting when he met Robert Bateman, the famed wildlife artist was friendly and offered tips. McMahon first got involved with the Pelham Art Festival almost 20 years ago, when he met Marilyn Casson at an art gallery here showing his works. He donated a piece to the festival that year and the following year Casson, an integral part of the festival who passed away in late 2006, invited McMahon to take part. McMahon has been one of the artists in the show every since. For fine art, there aren’t many shows like the Pelham Art Festival, says
McMahon, explaining the show is juried and organizers do a good job of ensuring high quality artists take part. It isn’t like many shows that include crafts, food and other attractions that tend to take away from the art, he notes. “It’s a really fun show to do,” says McMahon. “You meet a lot of people interested in fine art.” Since his first big success in Canada McMahon has kept close ties with the art community here, showing in Niagara-on-the-Lake galleries, taking part in the Pelham Art Festival and maintaining a connection to art lovers here, he says, noting he has had some followers from Niagara, Hamilton and Toronto. McMahon’s work also has some connection to this country. Painting landmarks and water scenes, McMahon says he often paints scenes from Niagaraon-the-Lake and Port Dalhouse, where active ports provide a variety of sail boats, lighthouses and other landmarks to paint, as well as both sides of Niagara Falls. A scene of Rockport Maine painted by McMahon is one of the pieces being raffled at this year’s festival. McMahon offered to donate a second piece way back when he first met Casson, and this year he was asked to make that second donation. He offered about five of his favourite works and the festival organizers
MICHAEL McMahon, a Lockport, New York watercolour artist, is one of more than 65 artists who will be taking part in this year’s Pelham Art Festival. McMahon also donated one of his pieces to the festival this year to be raffled as a fundraiser. Sarah Murrell/Voice Photo were drawn to Rockport Maine, he says. Also being raffled this year is a fused glass platter created by glass artist Joe Speck, who will also be showing at the festival. This year marks the 26th annual Pelham Art Festival, an event that began has a back yard fundraiser to support the local library. Now more than 65 artists from Ontario, Quebec and the United States show their painting, pottery, sculpture, glass jewelry and other arts to crowds at the Pelham Arena over three days. Heidi Tebrake, one of the festival organizers, says there are several new artists featured in this year’s show. The business community, she said, has been very supportive once again, taking part in the Art Around Town
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program which allows local businesses to preview art works for their customers. This year’s festival takes place May 11 to 13. The opening gala evening is Friday, May 11 from 7 to 10 p.m. The $8 admission includes live entertainment and light buffet as well as a cash wine bar. Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13 the show runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5, children under 10 are free. There will be the Salvador Deli and a cash bar. A weekend pass is $10. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Pelham Public Library. To date the festival has generated $345,000 for the library. For more information, visit www. pelhamartfestival.com.
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