Mad & Noisy Gallery Welcomes Five New Artist Members
February 02nd 2010Here’s some interesting art news from a former colleague with Halton-Peel Communications Association, Eleanor Brownridge, herself an accomplished artist:
The work of five new, local artists, sculptor Paul Vodak, photographer MK Lynde, stained glass artist Paul Corfield, and painters Peter Dillman and Peter Taylor, will be featured during February at the Mad & Noisy Gallery in Creemore. Their stories reflect a growing trend, artists relocating to this area because it provides an environment conducive to their creative processes.
“I find inspiration in the natural world along the shores of Georgian Bay,” says Peter Dillman, who moved to Collingwood 18 months ago. Dillman is currently converting a backyard garage into a painting studio. “It is not quite finished; the roof is still covered with a tarp to prevent leaks. I like it when the wind is howling, the tarp bellows and I am cocooned in my space.” Here he creates acrylic landscapes with layer upon layer of saturated colour, using techniques he developed when originally working with oils.
Paul Corfield built his stained glass studio as a separate building perched 800 feet up the western side of the Niagara Escarpment when he relocated to the Beaver Valley in 2004. “We designed it with much thought and care to fit in with the existing landscape. Visitors to the studio walk in the doors and stop in an attempt to take in, not only all of the glass pieces hung in the windows, but also the design and look of the building itself.” In keeping with his minimalism direction, Corfield uses lots of clear textured glass, with only small areas of colour and few lead lines, in his geometric style.
Disenchanted while working as a commercial illustrator, Peter Taylor moved to Dunedin two and a half years ago to be closer to nature. Here the Bruce Trail in his backyard provides constant inspiration for his paintings. “I’m focused on capturing the personality of the landscape I’m working on. If I can bring all my senses together, plus something else I can’t explain, then I’ve got something.”
Another ex-Torontonian, MK Lynde used to wander, travel and shoot with her camera. But after having children, she focused on shooting in and around her new home in Creemore. “About two years ago I began shooting panoramas and have since become obsessed with Equirectangular Projection Panorama. This is 180 by 360 degree photography mapped onto a rectangle that shows every possible view of a given scene.” MK takes between 10 and 38 or more images of a scene and then stitches them together digitally. “I love looking at a scene and imagining it unwrapped onto a rectangle.”
The longest area resident, Paul Vodak has been living in Nottawa for about 18 years where his workspace, “Rainmaker Art Studio” is a school portable which he eventually hopes to expand with a sculpture garden. Although his final sculptures are usually bronze, Paul begins with wax or clay. “I start with a figure and then place it in an environment - a stage, a landscape or a mythological context. I like to incorporate textures from natural objects such as rocks and plants in my sculpture.”
The feature show of the new artists’ work will open on Sat. February 6 with a reception from 2 to 5 pm and will continue throughout the month. The Mad & Noisy Gallery, at 154 Mill St. in Creemore, is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm. For more information contact the gallery at 705-466-5555 or www.madandnoisy.com.
Jordan Art Gallery Auction to Benefit Heart and Stroke Foundation
January 27th 2010Silent Auction with portion of proceeds to benefit the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Opening reception and preview: Sunday, February 7, 2~4PM. Participate in this exciting opportunity to win valuable art for the month of February!
Janny Fraser, Joyce Honsberger, George Langbroek, Mori McCrae, Michelle Teitsma, Sandy Middleton, Robyn Kennedy, Jan Yates, the artists and owners of the Jordan Art Gallery, have created works from their hearts and artistic souls for this worthy event. ‘Heart to Heart’ is an exhibition and auction highlighting the love and generosity of spirit symbolized by Valentine’s Day.
The value of the artwork will be listed and all of the artists have agreed to reduce the price of their work to encourage sales. Patrons will be able to bid and counter bid for the month of February. Each bidder will be assigned a number, to be used upon bidding. If another wishes to bid on the same artwork, the bid will then go up, which adds to the excitement of the show! At the end of the month, all bidders will be contacted to get a ‘last chance’ to place their bid. Closing bids will be called at 4 PM Sunday, February 28.
The winners will go home with a great deal on a valuable painting, mixed media work, photograph or jewelry made with love by a local Niagara artist. They will also know that they have contributed to the betterment of the lives of those whose hearts are in need by contributing to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
Georgetown Choral Society Sings for Haiti in New York
January 22nd 2010
Georgetown Choral Society (GCS) participated in a combined mass performance at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, New York City, on January 18. Some of the night’s proceeds are going to relief efforts in Haiti. Here are more details about this exciting concert and great honour for the GCS, sent to us by Iris Derke, General Director, Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) of New York City.
On January 18, the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra International and Distinguished Concerts Singers International, comprised of more than 400 auditioned chorus members from across North America, including the Georgetown Choral Society (A. Dale Wood, director), presented the Inaugural concert of DCINY’s 2010 Season at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, home of the New York Philharmonic. Featured soloists included Erica Powell, Cherry Duke, Adam Russell, Mark Watson and Geraint Llyr Owen.
Under the baton of DCINY principal conductor Jonathan Griffith, the Distinguished Singers/Orchestra International performed two pieces by world-renowned living composer Karl Jenkins, in a celebration of peace commemorating the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Both pieces, Requiem and The Armed Man, were set with film accompaniment, and were dedicated to the victims of the crisis in Haiti, with a portion of the night’s proceeds being donated to the relief efforts.
The audience enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s vision of peace, and what we all must do to help others in their time of need. The performance was memorable for audience members and performers alike, and the occasion was more than well celebrated with a standing and enthusiastic ovation at the end of each work.
DCINY would like to congratulate the Georgetown Choral Society and looks forward to inviting them to participate in future concerts on the DCINY Concert Series.
This must have been a spectacular performance and is sure to be a lifelong memory for everyone who took part. Now GCS singers can answer the question “How do you get to the Lincoln Center in New York?” by saying “Get invited.”
African Art Added to Art Gallery of Hamilton
January 15th 2010Yesterday Mike & I attended an important media event at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) where some new African works of art were unveiled. We hope to publish a photo of this in our spring issue, but meanwhile, here’s the information straight from AGH themselves:
Noted Canadian Philanthropists and Art Collectors Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Donate Significant Collection of African and Tribal Art to Art Gallery of Hamilton
Over 100 works of art from Joey and Toby Tanenbaum’s collection of African and tribal art will find a home at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. The works bring together ritualistic and functional everyday objects, including masks, sculptures, containers, and architectural elements. Primarily from east, central, and west Africa, the majority of artworks date from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries, and are crafted from such materials as wood, terracotta, bronze, shell, bone, feathers, fibres, textiles, and other organic materials. The collection also contains artworks from Oceania.
“Without art, society would have no soul. Art fulfills so much within us, in our hearts,” said Joey Tanenbaum. “We’re very excited about this gift we’re giving to Hamilton.”
“This multi-million dollar donation of African and tribal art will truly transform our collection and our activities,” said AGH President and CEO Louise Dompierre. “The Art Gallery of Hamilton is honoured and touched by the Tanenbaums’ confidence and trust in our institution for giving us the opportunity – yet again – to enrich our programming with such a magnificent gift.”
In 2002, Joey and Toby Tanenbaum gifted the AGH with their extensive collection of 19th-century European art.
“In addition to appreciating these masterworks from Africa and Oceania on purely aesthetic grounds, these magnificent artworks also help us understand how similar objects inspired artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Braque and Brancusi, to name a few,” added Dompierre.
A selection of the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum collection of African and tribal art will be on display at the Gallery from May 22nd to September 6, 2010, as part of Vital Africa, the Art Gallery of Hamilton’s year-long celebration of African arts and culture and its influence on the world. Presented by TD, the celebration includes exhibitions, performances, talks, film screenings, and activities for families and children.
Founded in 1914, the Art Gallery of Hamilton owns one of the finest collections in Canada. Its collection strengths include European historical, Canadian historical, contemporary – and now – African art.
“Strange Places” Concert at Georgetown’s St. John’s United Church
December 13th 2009Don’t miss this!
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
To make you feel part of the season
Monday, December 14, 7 pm
St. John’s United Church
11 Guelph Street, Georgetown
the first block south of the Y intersection with Main Street
Something for everyone
¨ A short musical drama, “Strange Places”
reflects the idea that God appears in strange places,
perhaps a manger or in lives of those we know.
¨ The choir will sing traditional anthems
¨ Performances on the flute and grand piano
¨ Audience members will also join in familiar carols
St John’s with its strong musical tradition and superb acoustical space will uplift your spirit. Heading the musical ministry team of Diane Murray-Charrett and Elaine Rusk is Carolyn Maule, a professional musician when she is not directing the St. John’s choir.
No admission. Freewill donations will be shared with the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle campaign.
Winner of Tickets for Amy Sky, Marc Jordan, Dan Hill Concert
December 12th 2009 The winner of the draw for two free tickets to the Amy Sky, Marc Jordan and Dan Hill concert on Dec. 17 in Guelph is Carolyn Martin of Georgetown.
Thanks to everyone who entered the draw. We had entries from Kitchener, Guelph, Terra Cotta and Georgetown, making a good representation across the central part of our distribution area.
We also thank Full Capacity Concerts for providing the free tickets for our first draw. We’re pleased by the response to it and we welcome other freebie giveaways for future contests. Keep checking our blog for announcements of other offers.
Free Tickets to Amy Sky, Marc Jordan and Dan Hill!
December 09th 2009 Just a few days left to enter our draw for a free pair of tickets to the big-name concert of the season! The contest closes Sat. Dec. 12 at noon.
Amy Sky, Marc Jordan and Dan Hill will play the River Run Centre in Guelph on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. Amy Sky is known for “I Will Take Care of You” and “Ordinary Miracles.” Dan Hill had hits with “Sometimes When We Touch” and “In Your Eyes.” They also perform in London’s Aeolian Hall on Dec. 18, for anyone out that way.
For your chance to win free tickets to the Dec. 17 concert, email editor@EscarpmentViews.ca with your name, address and phone number. To avoid being discarded as spam, don’t put the word “free” in the Subject line. We’ll arrange to have the tickets held in your name at the River Run Centre box office. These tickets have been generously provided by Full Capacity Concerts.
If you don’t win but would still like to attend this fun holiday performance, get tickets through the River Run special page.
Georgetown Choral Society to Play Lincoln Center, NY
December 07th 2009“A Candlelight Christmas” on Dec. 5 began with the Georgetown Choral Society (GCS) walking down the aisles through the audience, holding flickering lights while the women hummed “O Come Emmanuel.” The sound was like a medieval convent of nuns at worship. It was a lovely, atmospheric start to a varied concert.
There was a good mix of familiar carol melodies and less-known works. There were even two sessions of audience participation, much like seventh-inning stretches at baseball games, to keep people alert and energized. The old singalong carols were made fun by chorister Jack Morrison, who demanded better efforts and unusual treatments, even putting director Dale Wood on the spot to sing a solo chorus of “Jingle Bells.”
Performance highlights were “Christmas Kum Ba Ya,” an interesting arrangement of English and African lyrics, part of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, sung in English as “Christians Be Joyful,” and “Carol of the Bells,” sung without organ accompaniment, sounding like a carillon of church bells. A significant work was a composition of director A. Dale Wood, “What Could I Give to This Stranger?” a beautiful new carol on the old theme of a gift worthy of the Christ child. Finally, Händel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” ended the concert, but not quite, as the choir sang a final work by candlelight.
My favourite piece of the night was their “Go Where I Send Thee,” a rollicking gospel carol. I’ve said before that it’s quite a stretch to get middle-aged white men and women to perform gospel well, but they did a great job of this. I suppose it’s best not to push the swayin’ and rockin’ throughout if it doesn’t feel right. It may even have made for a more dramatic surprise with the rhythmic clapping and foot stomping at the end. This is a real crowd pleaser that I hope they’ll perform frequently.
And some pretty amazing news is that GCS has been invited to perform in Lincoln Center, New York City on Jan. 18, 2010. They’ll perform Karl Jenkins’ “The Armed Man,” which they performed last spring in Norval. If you can be in New York at that time, try to get tickets to this.
Did you catch this performance? What other concerts are you enjoying?
Amy Sky, Marc Jordan, Dan Hill Perform in Guelph
December 03rd 2009 This is a fun experiment for us. We have two free tickets to give away for the Dec. 17 concert in Guelph by Amy Sky and Marc Jordan. Also performing will be Dan Hill, with much less hair than he had as I remember him from my university days. (How is it that we’ve gone grey or bald so quickly?) The 8 pm concert at the lovely River Run Centre promises to be “an evening of beautiful songs and stories with a touch of holiday spirit.”
Here’s the experiment. We will hold a random draw for two free tickets to this concert on Sat. Dec. 12. To enter this draw, email me at editor@EscarpmentViews.ca by noon on Dec. 12. Give your name, address, phone number and email address. Don’t put the word “Free” in the subject line, as my spam filter might reject your message.
We’ll hold the draw after noon on Dec. 12 and contact the winner. The tickets will be left for you in your name at the box office on Dec. 17. These tickets have been generously provided by Full Capacity Concerts.
We’ll be interested to see if our readers and viewers respond to this, our first giveaway. If you do, we might have more of these offers in future. Would you like us to?
Georgetown Choral Society Lights Up This Week
November 30th 2009 We’re entering the musical season, when community groups and professional organizations all along the Niagara Escarpment perform pre-Christmas concerts. The Georgetown Choral Society will present “A Candlelight Christmas” on Dec. 4 & 5 at Georgetown Christian Reformed Church.
I used to be a member of this large choir. With as many as 110 members, we could make such a loud sound that sometimes my ears would ring and I would feel dizzy from being in the midst of all the vibrations. What’s even more difficult, however, is having a large choir sing softly and clearly.
Director Dale Wood achieves this through patience and humour in rehearseals. I never saw him lose his temper. Only rarely would he say that we wouldn’t perform a particular number if we didn’t practise it on our own outside of rehearseal. When I became too busy with other stuff, I realized that I had to drop out of the choral society.
I still love choral music, though, for its power and sweep and majesty. And it’s utterly amazing when amateurs from small towns produce such spectacular sounds.
There is plenty to choose from this December. Dale Wood also directs the Georgetown Children’s Chorus and the Achill Choral Society, which performs in the Caledon/Orangeville area.
What concerts are in your community this month? Do you enjoy choral singing, as a listener or participant?