art of the peace | issue #6

art of the peace �

contents

Editor: Jody FarrellEditorial Committee: Karen Longmate, Dale Syrota, Carrie KlukasDesign, Layout & Advertising: Image Design Contributors: Jody Farrell, Wendy Stefansson, Carrie KlukasPublisher: Art of the Peace Visual Arts Assoc., c/o The Prairie Art Gallery, 10209 99 St., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 2H3; Ph: (780) 532-8111; [email protected]: Menzies Printers

Cover: Charity Dakin and her painting A Touch of Blue

©All rights reserved Art of the Peace 2006

Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Art of the Peace makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held respon-sible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

Art of the Peace Visual Arts Association acknowledges the financial assistance of:

City of Grande Prairie Arts Development Fund

Peace Country Canada

the artbox 9the BUSINESS of art �0artists directory �9where it’s all at ��education & opportunities �4

art o

ut th

ere..

.

Do It

Layers of Passion

Wellness

Charity Dakin:

Three Grande Cache

Carrie Klukas

Intuitively

and t

he Ar

ts

Crea

tive L

iving

Artists

4 7 8��

�4�8

�7

art out there...Tapestry Commissioned

Beaverlodge’s George Henn designed and hooked a tap-

estry for the County of Grande Prairie’s Family Services as part of a centennial project. The fibre landscape, commissioned by Family Services, took over 200 hours to complete and cel-ebrates the history of family services in the county. It is now a permanent fixture in the mu-nicipality.

Death by Design

Grande Prairie artist-ac-tor Tim Heimdal not only

designed the minimalist set for Grande Prairie Live Theatre’s recent production of Jesus Christ Superstar, but was cru-cified on it. The ever-talented Heimdal stepped in to play Je-sus when the production lost its original star.

Framing the moment

Grande Prairie photographer JJ Morgan’s work seeks to freeze not only time, but that precious action that will never be re-

peated. “I want my viewers to feel like they are captured in my moment,” says the young artist. “I love the way I feel when I ex-perience a piece of art. I can’t wait to be on the other end, creating that experience for someone else.” Morgan’s work will be featured in the upcoming Digital Blues exhibition, opening June 7, 2006, at 11302-100 Street in Grande Prairie.

AOTP Touring Exhibition

Some sixty artworks by Peace Region artists, all members

of the Art of the Peace (AOTP) Society, toured both sides of the Alberta-BC borders over recent months. The exhibition started in December at The Prairie Art Gallery in Grande Prairie, and from there, went to Dawson Creek and on to the Fairview Fine Arts Centre in Fairview. It was downsized to 20 works be-fore continuing on to Fort Nel-son, BC’s Phoenix Theatre. The show exhibited a wide range of styles and subject matter, including Grande Prairie Re-gional College fine arts student Terry Kazakoff’s Cattle Drive, (left). The Art of the Peace So-ciety came into existence three years ago, and seeks to raise awareness of the visual arts in the BC and Alberta Peace re-gions. It is responsible for the production and circulation of the Art of the Peace magazine, as well as the website and arts symposium. The touring art exhibition was the first of what AOTP hopes will become an annual event.

Grande Prairie artist-actor TIm Heimdal on his own cross in Jesus Christ Super-star. Photo by Paul Pivert, Panda Cam-era.

George Henn’s commissioned tapestry.

Terry Kazakoff, Cattle Drive - Acrylic

JJ Morgan, Sunflower

art of the peace 4

Snow Days in St. Isidore

For St. Isidore sculptors Rénald Lavoie and Laval Bergeron, snow is the medium of choice. Every February, a Carnaval

d’Hiver is held in the small French community just outside Peace River, and this year it had a safari theme. Rénald sculpted a lion, seen here, and Laval, a pair of giraffes. The two had just returned from the Carnaval in Quebec City, where they represented Alberta in a team of three which also included Robert Woodburry of Ed-monton. There, under Laval’s leadership, they sculpted a piece called “Money”, a barrel of oil with a hand emerging from it hand-ing out $400 cheques to faceless bystanders, while a puzzled farm-er looks on! Laval also represented Canada in the international competition there, on another team of three.

Building Starts Next Spring

Construction of The Prairie Art Gallery and Grande Prairie Public Library’s new digs (right) is set to begin next spring

and be completed by the fall of 2008. The complex will include the existing historic Prairie Art Gallery building, and will extend east to house a community hall and additional gallery exhibition space, as well as the new Public Library. Gallery staff is facing the possiblity of organizing exhibitions and programs outside its current home if, at some point during 2007, construction makes it necessary to temporarily relocate.

“Series” Returns to GPRC

The popular “Series” arts workshops program which

has run for years out of Red Deer, is returning for its second run in Grande Prairie. A wide range of programs, including jewellery-making, beadmak-ing, painting, paper and fibre art will run from July 31 to August 4, 2006 in Grande Prairie. The complete “Series” ‘06 booklet is available at Grande Prairie Regional College’s Fine Arts Department and The Prairie Art Gallery.

PAG Gets Project Grant

The Prairie Art Gallery was recently awarded a project grant for a catalogue of its January 2006 exhibition Sub Urban, by

Calgary artist Laura Vickerson. Vickerson, whose work has been exhibited internationally, created an installation around our re-lationship with our surroundings, both urban and natural. Doug Wills, curator for The Prairie Art Gallery is designing and writing the catalogue.

Doug Wills, (left), and Tina Martel (cen-tre) address artists at the Peace Liard regional curated exhibition.

Calgary artist Laura Vickerson’s Sub Urban installation, The Prairiei Art Gallery

Renald Lavoie (left) and Laval Bergeron with Lavoie’s St. Isodore snow sculpture.

Peace Liard Juried Exhibition

South Peace Community Arts Council, Dawson Creek Art

Gallery and the Peace Liard Regional Arts Council were the co-hosts for the recent Region-al Juried Art Exhibition which circulates through five northern BC communities on an annual basis. As part of the educa-tional component for the event, Grande Prairie artist and GPRC educator Tina Martel conducted a morning workshop on profes-sionalism in art, documenting and preserving your work, and presenting yourself to galleries and other exhibition opportuni-ties. Jurors Doug Wills, Tina Martel and Sarah Alford chose 20 works from the over 100 pieces submitted. The resulting exhibition was an impressive display of regional talent from throughout the BC Peace area.

Congratulations Carmen

Grande Prairie artist Carmen Haakstad has received an

Alberta Centennial Medal of Honour from the Alberta Foun-dation for the Arts. The award is in recognition of his contri-bution to community develop-ment and the establishment of The Prairie Art Gallery.


The Prairie Art Gallery - Public Library building is set to open in 2008.

Menzies1/2 page - BW

Public Meets Gallery

Community arts lovers met in January to discuss future

ideas with The Prairie Art Gal-lery staff and visiting Edmonton Art Gallery director Tony Lup-pino. Grande Prairie consultant Cheryl King says ideas Lup-pino touched on in the day-long event included: creating desire, not need; putting ideas and projects “out there” right now; and thinking big when consid-ering future plans and possible partnerships with sponsors and other arts groups. Creating awareness around the pleasures of art, while removing its some-times elitist tag were among the many other topics addressed.

Cultural Grant Proposal

Proponents of arts and cul-ture in Grande Prairie

spent much of February and early March writing proposals for consideration for a federal grant which could total up to $750,000. The Cultural Capi-tals of Canada project funds Canadian municipalities look-ing to celebrate culture and cre-ate cultural legacies. Grande Prairie, which, in 2008, will mark its 50th anniversary as a municipality, is hoping the Cultural Capitals program will fund some of the projects. One proposal outlines plans for a grand opening and permanent sculpture unveiling for the new Prairie Art Gallery and the Grande Prairie Public Library.

Sharon Moore Foster, (right), AOTP symposium volunteer Shelagh Glibbery, (centre), and Aaron Sorensen stopped into the Beaverlodge Cultural Centre to see the late Eric Bask’s stained glass work, following their visit to Dawson Creek for the Symposium.


Art of the Peace Symposium �00�, Dawson Creek

The Dawson Creek Art Gallery was the host for the 3rd Annual Art of the Peace Symposium, October 14th and 15th, 2005.

Saturday morning kicked off with high energy Alberta artist and sculptor Sharon Moore Foster, who focused on lasting art, and cre-ating art in everyday lives. Painter and teacher Laine Dahlen spoke about the relationship between creative expression and the ability to master the technical skill in each medium. Don Pettit, photogra-pher and publisher, spoke on the method of successful marketing and distribution, which is often more difficult for the practising artist to achieve. In the afternoon, writer-director Aaron Sorensen spoke about his experiences making the movie, Hank Williams, First Nation.

Writer Shakti Gawain has said “The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf.” Grande Prairie Regional College’s second annual Women in the Arts symposium speakers each stated in her own way that it’s by bringing our whole self into a place and reacting with all our senses that we achieve what is both important and authentic.

Vancouver-based installation artist Shirley Wiebe described the shift that happened in her work once she allowed herself to walk into a space or environment with curiosity and not an agenda. She saw her work reach deeper levels of meaning by investigating a location, and, using materials that either grew there or were found and used in the area, creating an installation that reflected something of both the environment and herself in that space.

Wiebe sought to make herself feel connected wherever she was doing installation works. Researching materials used around Dawson City, Yukon, or in Atlin, or Prince George, B.C., she’d get comfortable with the town and its people. She found materials and assistance appeared as she needed them, oftentimes having uncanny connections to the creations she was producing. The wood she’d ordered from Vancouver for the Prince George show had actually been forested near Prince George. The nylon mesh she chose in a playful installation depicting Vancouver Island trees in tutus had been used in a cross-pollination study of that area’s trees.

Wiebe credited Peace Region’s environmental artist Peter vonTiesenhausen with giving her the courage to trust her intuition in develop-ing that sense of place and meaning. “Peter has helped me have faith in that vision,” Wiebe said.

Mary-Beth Laviolette of Canmore also spoke about the important contributions Alberta women made to the contemporary arts by bringing their personal realities to their work.

Laviolette, whose impressive research on the province’s contem-porary artists appears in An Alberta Art Chronicle, spoke of how, beginning in the seventies, when both the feminist and civil rights movements were very strong, women changed what was accepted as contemporary art, much of which had emerged from a century of male-dominated “master” techniques. Instead of art for art’s sake, art began addressing women’s sensibilities around social justice, war, domesticity and sexuality.

Mary Scott, whose work received unheard-of international atten-tion in the eighties, often outraged the conventional art world. Her attitude, according to Laviolette, was to care less about the im-age’s appearance than its meaning. She’d use her hands, tear at the canvas and cut at her fabric to make a statement. It was this very personal and authentic approach that made her and other Albertan artists’ work important.

Canmore filmmaker Leanne Allison, in presenting her documen-tary on following the Porcupine caribou herd’s epic journey to its calving grounds in Alaska, encouraged young artists to follow their passion. She and husband Karsten had to place a lot of faith in the unknown in making Being Caribou.

“You have to do your best, “ she said. “Make what you believe in. Put it all out there, but try not to be too attached to the outcome.”

Vancouver artist Shirley Wiebe, Surrounding, nylon netting installation.

• By Donation• Artists Run Centre• Year Round• Gift Shop

• 13 Exhibits Per Year• Art Rental• Education Programs

www.dcartgallery.ca Tel: (250) 782-2601

101 - 816 Alaska AvenueDawson Creek, BC

V1G 4T6

HoursMay - Sept.

9:00 - 5:00Daily

Do It IntuitivelyBy Jody Farrelll

Women in the Arts symposium

art of the peace 7

Layers of PASSIONLen Smith

Stopping to admire Len Smith’s woodworks at his regular farmers market kiosk may stem as much from his infectious smile as your interest in carving. Smith began wood carving in Barrie, Ontario,

where he lived until moving to Grande Prairie nearly 13 years ago. He spent years experimenting with all manner of woodwork, beginning with “blanks,” blocks of loosely prepared forms, and gradually learning sculpture of decoys and characters, as well as intarsia, or carving into wood.

Smith’s works speak more of a love for the process than a love of detail. He spends most days in his workshop and two to three evenings teaching. His studio is in his home, but you’ll find him every Saturday morning at the Grande Prairie farmers market selling his works and tools and sharing his love of his art.

Bruce ToltonBruce Tolton’s bird carvings require a mastery of woodworking and painting skills that can only come with patience and passion for detail.

“You really have to know your anatomy, or all you’re left with is a block of wood on your mantle,” says the Grande Prairie carv-er. “It doesn’t look good.” Hours are spent accurately detailing feathers and talons and painting the newly-carved birds. Still, the work gives him a great sense of tranquility. “Any bad day is gone once you’re carving,” Tolton says.

Sean ReillySean Reilly wasn’t long into wood carving when he realized he was less concerned with replicating than with giving a very sensual impression of both the bird he was working on and the wood he’d chosen for the subject. For Reilly, exact replication of the subject equals placing the stuffed bird on display. The Wembley artist’s subjects have a minimalist look to them. A ripple carved into the back of the otherwise sleek crow suggests both that bird’s likeness and its more mythological, dreamlike qual-ity. “I like the high tactility of a piece,” Reilly says.

He uses a variety of woods, including oak, and likes the West Coast’s yellow cedar and Ontario’s basswood. Reilly finds the process of carving “incredibly therapeutic. Just the act of peeling off layers and layers of wood takes you to a different place,” he says.

by Jody Farrell

Three Peace area artists share their love of wood carving

Bruce Tolton, Snowy Owl - acrylic on tupelo.

Sean Reilly, Willow Ptarmigan - acrylic on basswood.

Len Smith, The Hunter - acrylic on bass-wood.

art of the peace 8

the artbox

Books on wood carving techniques and all of its

tools and accessories cut a pret-ty wide path. Grande Prairie wood carver and teacher Len Smith warns about spending all kinds of money only to find that your particular woodwork-ing interest has no use for what now fills your basement.

“Do not go out and buy a whole set of tools,” Smith advises. “Start with taking a few les-sons. Find out what it is you are interested in, and buy only what you need at that time for learn-ing what you are doing.”

According to Smith, there are four basic cuts you need to learn in carving, after which “there is nothing you can’t do.”

The trick is to practise, practise, practise. Smith is big on having his students do their own work. In his view, the person’s par-ticular interest - be it in carving a blank (a less defined, pre-cut subject); or carving relief-style intarsia, or creating a sculpture - will surface as he or she hones these skills.

Smith lists several “good teach-ers” whose books he uses regularly. Carol Peters is an excellent reference for people interested in woodburning techniques. Judy Gale Roberts is great for intarsia. Other good teachers include Ivan Willock and Eldon Humphries, most of whom can be Googled online. Smith has taken courses from several well-published carvers.

Smith’s best resource for books and accessories is Chipping Away, 808 Courtland Avenue East, Kitchener, Ontario, N2C 1K3. Phone them at 519-743-9008 for specific information.To order 888-682-9801 or www.chippingaway.com.

Smith, always passionate to convert new carving enthusi-asts, will let you check out his own ‘06 Chipping Away cata-logue at his kiosk at the Grande Prairie Farmers Market. He’s there every Saturday.

For Sean Reilly, who uses ref-erence material to develop his own wood carving creations, Game Bird Carving by Bruce Burk was a great resource “right from the get-go.”

“I got the most out of Burk’s painting techniques for de-coys,” Reilly says. “He uses oils whereas I use acrylics but the information applies to both. His book also has good charts of dimensions (of birds).” While Reilly isn’t as concerned with precise replication as some carvers, he refers to charts to keep his work proportional. “Itneeds to look balanced,” he ex-plains. An oversized head on a crow may distract the viewer from the overall essence of the bird, which is the core of Reil-ly’s work.

Bruce Tolton, who does realis-tic representations of birds anddecoys, cites The Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton as an in-valuable resource for his very detailed carvings.

by Jody Farrell

Making the cut: carving tools

Open Noon to 5 pm, Tuesday to Saturday10812 103 Avenue 780-835-2697

Fairview Fine Arts Centre

Gift ShopUnique.

Local Art.No GST.

Visit us at the Beautiful Centre 2000 Tourism and Trade building located at 11330 106 St. in Grande Prairie, just off the HWY 43 bypass.

For a copy of your FREE visitor's guide, visitor information, tours, day trips and events, stop by or call (780) 539-7688

Open 7 Days a weekMay - Sept.8:30 am to 9:00 pmOct. - April8:30 am to 4:30 pm

11330 106th Street,Grande Prairie, Alberta

Be a Touristin our backyard!For a copy of yor FREE Visitors Guide, visitor information, tours, day trips and events:

Call: 780-539-7688

Toll Free: 1-866-202-2202www.northernvisitor.com

Watch for the

2006 Photo Contest

art of the peace 9

the BUSINESS of art

It’s one thing to be selling a product we believe in but

haven’t made ourselves; quite another to sell our very self as product. Artists’ work is that personal. Rejection feels too much like taking a hit where it hurts most.

Public galleries are filled with artist-staff who are aware of how intimidating it can be to approach them requesting an exhibition of your creations. Doug Wills, curator of The Prairie Art Gallery, is always open and eager to see new faces and works. Like most curators, he’s a proponent of change, revelation and fresh new per-spectives.

“We love having people com-ing in with their work,” Wills says enthusiastically. Still, with all that goes into choos-ing and producing, handling and returning an exhibition, it’s best to follow some guidelines. And, while the process might feel a little too left-brained for some, the actual work around making a proposal, just like the research that must accompany an application for a loan or a government grant, goes a long way to helping you uncover and sell both yourself and your product.

Exhibition request guidelines for The Prairie Art Gallery ask that you provide a minimum of 10 slides of your work; a biog-raphy, and an artist statement of intent, or philosophy. They also require size of artwork, medi-um, and a personal resume.

You would be surprised at how many applications fail to give the most crucial of details. Sue Cloake Millar, who coordinates Alberta Foundation for the Arts’ TREX travelling exhibitions for The Prairie Art Gallery, laughs at some of the omissions she’s had to cope with.

“We get submissions that have no address, phone number, or contact information,” Cloake Millar says.

Grande Prairie’s still smallish population and Prairie Art Gal-lery staff’s commitment to its regional artists generally allows for the eventual unearthing of the talented-but-elusive type, but it’s best not to count on that always being the case.

A completed request will always be filed for reference. Current-ly, Cloake Millar is compiling an artist-bank of Peace Region artists. She wishes to know who is doing what in every facet of the arts. This information is in-valuable to her work coordinat-ing and touring exhibitions of original art throughout northern Alberta. While she doesn’t re-quire a full exhibition request, she does want artists to send her at least three slides of their current work, along with a brief artist statement and contact in-formation.

Drop into The Prairie Art Gal-lery for an Exhibition RequestGuidelines form, or email Sue Cloake Millar at [email protected] with any questions you might have.

by Jody Farrell

Getting into galleries

Send

us a

Note

!Art of the Peace needs:

- Art News from all areas of the Peace Country- Comments on the magazine- Do you have an art event planned?... How about opportunities for artists?- Would you like to be listed in the directory?

contact [email protected] with your submissions

Designers of Art of the Peace

Magazine & Websi te

marketing, graphics & web design

art of the peace �0

'The Higher Foothills, October' AcrylicCollection of The Hon. Ralph Klein, Premier Of Alberta

Robert Guest:East Slopes Studio,

Grande Cache, Alberta

Contact The Prairie Art Gallery at 780 532 8111 for information

9934 100 Avenue Grande Prairie Phone: 780 539 4091

www.pictureperfectfineart.com

WhereArt

ComfortMeet

Artists SuppliesCustom Framing

Artwork ReproductionsGiglée Printing

& Home Decore

&

art of the peace ��

WELLNESS and the ArtsRob Smith’s Grande Prairie

office is more like a large, homey living room, with the sun streaming in on earthtone walls and warm wood flooring. A sprawling bookshelf hosts a library of reference mate-rial: music on CDs, books and manuals on wellness, nature, and healing grief. All within an arm’s reach from the big com-fy sofa and armchairs. Drums and interesting artifacts, and messages of serenity and hope abound, and yet the space feels

open and airy.

Smith’s back-ground in adult education and social work set him onto the path of people who had suffered trauma or loss. He’d provided

public education to a local women’s shelter, and worked with people in a victims assi-tance program. He eventually developed his own practice around healing through cre-ativity.

“Grief work is about loss,” Smith explains. “Loss can have come with death or divorce, but can also involve something less definite; say the loss of mean-ing or purpose in our life.”

Healing what is lost requires giving voice to our pain, our broken heart, he says. This does not generally happen by talking about our experience in a conventional counselling session. This kind of healing is more of a spiritual journey, having to do with our heart and soul. Some think spirituality is only tied to religion, but Smith sees it as exploring what the deepest voice in us - the one that longs for goodness and happiness - has to say.

“Most of us who’ve been through trauma can relate to

feeling deep hurt at a core level. There’s some truth to the saying ‘I have a broken heart.’ We need to give that hurt a way to express itself.”

Smith is not an art therapist. He finds, however, that creative expression, be it in music or art, poetry and writing, or even gardening, moves a person into the right-brain mode that some-how gives the elusive pain or loss an outlet. No prior creative experience is necessary to pro-duce something from this more symbolic, intuitive side. It’s a comfortable and invigorating experience to be led into. He may invite you to use paints, drums or ink imprinting of your body, depending on what it is Smith and you decide is a good way to approach your grief issues.

The results are long-lasting. For some, two or three ses-sions may answer their needs. The goal for Smith is simply to get to a place that allows us to say what our heart wishes to say, and then to come back and look at that expression with a more left-brain, grounded approach. In what we have created, we find answers, and Smith says these al-ways include some message of hope.

“The work not only releases the hurt. It opens a new and hopeful journey. Our heart’s greatest desire is to have a happy life. Creativity taps us into that.”

by Jody Farrell

You don’t have to be an artist to reap the benefits

Rob Smith, (above), in his Grande Prairie office; paintings (left and right) created by the author in her work with Smith, whose counselling does not re-quire any previous artistic or creative experience.


Recently, Karen Longmate found her-self standing beside a wheelchair-

bound patient, admiring one of the original artworks that hung in the hallways of the QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie.

“He couldn’t speak, so he used a word board and communicated that the paint-

ings reminded him of when he used to ride through the pastures,” Longmate recalls.

The exhibition of local artist-carpenter Dale Sales’ paintings depicting farmlife, gave the man back some of his past. His comments gave Longmate a whole new sense of this person she’d only known as a patient.

Longmate, visual arts coordinator for the hospital, will often see staff, visitors or patients, stopping to look at the works. Sometimes people discuss their reactions. Other times they appear to be reflecting on something personal that the work may have evoked. Like so much that is produced ar-tistically, including poetry and music, art-works seem to touch something deep inside people, resonating, perhaps, with an expe-rience or feeling they have known.

“The hospital is a sensitive and serious place,” Longmate says. “For many of us, it creates a level of anxiety. The art, by con-trast, creates a familiar element. It some-how transports the viewer. We can live vicariously through art. We are calmed by it.”

The QEII Hospital Foundation, with sup-port from Peace Country Health, is respon-sible for the hospital’s visual arts project. It includes a permanent collection of some 600 original artworks, about two-thirds of which are exhibited throughout the hall-ways and wards of the hospital. Regional artists’ works are also on loan for exhibi-tions. Sales’ paintings were hung in the Courtyard Gallery, located on the lower

level near the hospital cafeteria. Display cubes, featuring three dimensional works such as sculpture, jewellery and pottery, are also on display in and near MacKenzie Place.

Longmate is passionate about the role the arts can play in health care institutions. She attended an international conference on partners in health care last June in Edmon-ton, where the University of Alberta Hos-pital is renown for its work putting artists on its wards.

“They have found that (artist on ward programs) offer people a chance to gather around as a family, even take pictures. That kind of thing is often very sensitive when there is not something other than the pa-tient to focus on,” Longmate explains.

And while these kinds of projects may not be currently available in the QEII, the pos-sibilities alone are exciting.

“I think that in the hospital, where we often tend to think of being sick and looking for an outside, medical answer, we have the opportunity to introduce the idea of discov-ering in ourselves what makes us feel bet-ter” says Longmate.

“If we have accessed something that has come from within and made us feel health-ier, more alive, we may then go home andlearn how to reintroduce it into our lives there. Hospitals have a captive market for that kind of teaching.”

“For many of us, it (the hospital) creates a level of anxiety. The art somehow transforms us. We are calmed by it.” - Karen Longmate

A retrospective of Grande Prairie potter Susan Williams (above), is exhibited in cubes near MacKenzie Place complex in the city’s Queen Elizabeth II Hospital.Karen Longmate (below) with Brit’s Bike, acrylic, 2003, by Grande Prairie artist Cathy Stafford.


Outside, it is a snowy Tuesday morning in February. Inside, I am looking at an accidental still-life: a hunting bow and colourful arrows lean against a wall next to a wooden easel. Clustered on

a table nearby are a birch log, a jar full of paintbrushes, and a book of paintings by Frederick Rem-ington. To my left is a deer’s skull and antlers. To my right, are tacked pictures of foxes, and actual fishing lures. Oh, and a computer. It is an eclectic mixture of the timeless and the cutting-edge.

These are the tools of Charity Dakin’s trade, and it is her studio in which I am standing. Charity is a young mother, and an accomplished artist from Manning, Alberta. And as it turns out, the deer skull is the relic not only of a hunting trip and a winter’s worth of venison, but also of the subject of her painting, Aspen King. In the painting, the deer looks intently at the viewer, not as prey at predator, but eye to eye; with recognition. There is a connection there. The painting is small, but compelling; the tone of it quiet but eloquent, communicating everything.

Charity grew up on the land, living on farms first in the Fraser Valley, and later in central Alberta. Now, in this small rural community, she is raising her own family. She and her husband have dreams of moving to an acreage, and starting a small hobby farm. When they fantasize about winning a million dollars, Charity talks about having her own chicken coop. She smokes her own salmon, and is work-ing out a recipe for making her own sausages from her venison. Remembering her rural roots, she says: “I spent hours drawing when I was a kid, and I spent even more time actually just looking. You know, watching animals, how they move, their anatomy …. I was always out in the ditches, and in the back fields,

slopping around in rubber boots. I just remember being a kid who watches things, and I still watch things now.”

This habit of patient watching is evident in the keenly ob-served quality of her work; the finely rendered details,

the ring of truth. When Charity sits down to cre-ate a work of art, she begins with numerous pencil

sketches. She will try it out in one or more colour

Charity Dakin: Creative Living

by Wendy Stefansson

Charity Dakin (right), Morning Encounter (below)


schemes using paint; then she will scan various elements into her computer and move them around using Photoshop until she finds the best composition. Along the way, she makes notes to herself, in the margins. It is a laborious and time-consuming process, but her sketches could pass for finished works of art in them-selves.

A self-taught artist, Charity describes her education as “a lot of trial and error; looking at the world around me and then looking at my paintings; and playing with the mediums, and seeing how they work.” Her mediums of choice include graphite, pastels and acrylic paints. Her subjects: wildlife, farm animals, local landscapes, and aboriginal people. These are choices that connect her to 150 years

of painting on the prairies (think Frederick Reming-ton and Paul Kane), as well as to other contemporary Canadian artists (think Robert Bateman). More importantly, they are choic-es that connect her to a growing viewing audience. She says: “My art is about responding and reacting to the things that I see around me, and the things that are important to me. And it happens to be something

that a lot of other people find endearing, and they like what I do. So I don’t really have to paint for a market; I paint what’s important to me, and what I love.”

At the same time, Charity takes nothing for granted in the world of art marketing. She acknowledges: “If you want to make a living out of art, you have to have an element of business and marketing. You have to.” All of her work is profession-ally reproduced, but she takes charge of as much of the process as possible, right from the digital imaging to the final printing. She prints editions of 50 to 150, for which she has found gallery representation in Peace River and Edmonton. She sells most of her originals privately or through Night of Artists events. Like her life, her art career is a hands-on process. “I don’t really think anybody owes me a living,” she says.

Charity’s prints are available at Frameworks Gallery and Claire’s Custom Fram-ing in Peace River, and Birks Art Gallery in Edmonton. You can also find her work online at www.NightOfArtists.com.

“I was always out in the ditch-es, and in the back fields, slopping around in rubber boots. I just remember being a kid who watches things.”

Halibu - Chalk Pastel (below); sample of preparation and sketches prior to painting; Aspen King - acrylic (bottom right)

(780) 538-7585Lower Level, QEII Hospital

10409 98 St.Grande Prairie, AB

T8V 2E8

Exhibition Opportunitiesavailable by contacting Karen

Dale Sales

9903 100th Ave Peace River, AB P: (780) 624-1984

Custom Framing & Gallery

Original WorkPrintsPhotographsCards

Rainbow Junction, Miriam Gair, Watercolour

| Pottery | Glass | Jewellery | Hats | Home Decore | Handpainted Silk |

9918A 100 Ave. Grande Prairie P: (780) 513-1933 F: (780) 513-1949

COOKFOR THE

PRESENTED BY

KitchenAid

The GrandePrairie Guildof Artists

CURE

Tickets at Forbes & Friends and The Prairie Art Gallery

Refreshments & Light LunchClothesline ART Installation

Guild of Artists Show & Sale

CAFE COMPANY

The Prairie Art Gallery June 17th 2005, 10 am to 4 pm

Partnering with the House & Garden Tour Tickets $12 each

•Aboriginal Art•Soapstone Carvings •Jewellery•Craft Supplies •Leather Products •Jade

Get the Big PictureGet the Big Picture

Custom FramingLocal ArtworkHome Decore

250 785 90999312 100th Street, Fort St. John, BC

Sonlight Gallery

[email protected] (780) 568-4124


Carol Adrian-Clark

realisticrenderings of

nature in coloured pencil and oil painting

(780) 532-0846

9338 - 69A AveGrande Prairie, AB

T8V 6T3

[email protected]

Do

min

o t

he

Seek

er

Oil

on

Pan

el

5’6”

x 1

6”

Call for viewing 780-539-4483

Carmen Haakstad

Dale SyrotaPWS, CSPWC

Exhibits with the Grande Prairie Guild of Artists

and the Peace Watercolour Society

Dale SyrotaWatercolour Artist

Ph: (780) 539-4046

Dale R. SalesPainting from life long experiences, landscapes, portraits, horses and western themes.

876-5432 cell9807-97 Ave.Grande Prairie, [email protected]

“Through the Fence”41” x 22” oil on canvas

Marjorie Henn

Picture Perfect Small GalleryGrande Prairie Beaverlodge

Beaverlodge Cultural Centre780-354-2165

P.W.S.

(780) 532-0355 [email protected]

9506 77 Ave Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4T3

MarjTaylor

Marj Taylor

[email protected]

Miriam GairMixed media and watercolour artist

Exhibits with Night of Artists

Your Move


Evelyn Suter

Evelyn Suter’s Clusters of Blue is a pretty convincing argument for the monoprint’s contribu-tion to the world of painting and prints. Something in the marks that are added to and sub-

tracted from the work give it a sumptuous textural look that isn’t found in traditional watercolour. Yet, the soft and airy quality that often gives watercolour the edge over more textured paints is still very present.

Suter’s own excitement around the process is catchy, and she converted many new enthusiasts at an exhibition in Grande Prairie two years ago. One can almost read in her animated explanation of the sheer mystery of the monoprint process, that she seeks out wonder in life and is willing to risk losing a little control to get it.

“It’s that element of surprise I love,” Suter says. She generously shares the process in work-shops.

This sense of wonder may have influenced her choice to retire to Grande Cache five years ago. Its “pristine views” and a great campaign to get people to relocate drew her there.

But, like many who are inspired by life and its many mysteries, Suter is hardly the retiring type. She integrated into the community soon after her arrival, discovering Palette Pals, an arts group that meets and exhibits locally. She is currently its past president. Suter credits a photography course she took years ago with giving her a keen sense of composition. “Everything I do is evoca-tive,” she says of her intention in her work. “When it’s successful, it calls to people, and tells them something.”

Joan Beland

Like many artists, Joan Beland experimented with paints in her search for the medium that best suited her personality and style. The Grande Cache artist found oils too messy, and while she

did like acrylics and had used them for years, she still works in ink and pencil, it was watercolour that best captured her mark.

“I like detail, and like to draw,” Beland says. Watercolours afford her that combi-nation of drawing and colour. They also give the self-professed lover of all things tidy a chance to play around without wreaking havoc. “You can get such a variety of colours without making a mess. They really suit the way I paint.”

She loves nature, and while some of her work depicts the town’s mountainous landscape, Beland is finding herself more drawn to nature close-up and still life these days. Her Baneberry watercolour, as well as one of Mount Hamel, is current-ly on tour with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts TREX Exhibition Out on the Mountain, Deep in the Woods. The show features selected works of The Grande Cache Watercolour Society, and is made available through The Prairie Art Gallery in Grande Prairie. TREX coordinator, Sue Cloake Millar, notes that the intimacy of the baneberry painting is what caught her eye in selecting works for the exhibi-tion.

Three Grande Cache Artistsby Jody Farrell

Mountain town panorama keeps them inspired

Evelyn Suter, Clusters of Blue - watercolour monoprint.

Joan Beland, The Baneberry - watercolour, 2004.


Esteemed Grande Cache painter and mentor Robert Guest says Beland consistently does good work. “It’s fresh and original. She’s got a great outdoor spirit.”

Beland is humbled by the praise. “I don’t work outside,” she con-fesses. “I work from pictures I take. I like to be comfortable, andhave everything in place. Even my housework must be done.”

James Harvey

As James Harvey casually rattles off contributions to advertis-ing and commercial illustration over his several decades-long

career, you can’t help but wonder how he wound up retiring in Grande Cache. The baby face on the Gerber cereal box; the Alberta wild rose design, the Edmonton Oilers and Travel Alberta logos are just a few of the marks he produced in a field that has seen tremendous change over the years. He’d worked in New York, Toronto and Winnipeg before moving to Calgary and Edmonton. He’d worked for the CBC, Imperial Oil, Proctor and Gamble, and Alberta Tourism and saw graphic design and advertising explode into the powerful medium it is today.

Harvey and his partner Trudy moved to Grande Cache in 2002 after witnessing the towns spectacular mountain panorama while visiting friends. It’s where he first tried watercolours, having only ever used felt pen in his commercial design work. His paintings still bear that illustrative style; they are unique in their combination of watercolour and felt marker hatchings. His drawing Sharing the News, reminiscent of once popular newspaper and magazine illus-trations, tells a layered story of man’s relationship with nature and how tuned out we sometimes are to what is real.

“I’m no teacher,” Harvey says dismissively. Still, he has an affinity for getting people to create, and is an active mentor-participant in the Grande Cache Watercolour Society. He was recently made its president and has created a logo and poster for the society’s May-June show.

Grande Cache may remind Harvey of childhood years in North-ern Ontario, where his father was a bush pilot and conservationist. The mountain town seems to have restored some deep-seated passions he alludes to having lost be-fore moving there. He has all kinds of building and art projects on the go, and speaks with conviction about Grande Cache’s po-tential to house a northern fine arts centre.

“It’s a wonderful little town,” he says. “The peo-ple here are so neat.”

artists directoryART CLUBSARTISTS NORTHBox 279 Sexsmith, AB T0H 3C0780-568-3334 BarbExhibit original artworks. Each artist has his or her own style.

GRANDE PRAIRIE GUILD OF ARTISTSc/o 9329 - 47 AveGrande Prairie, AB T8W 2G6780-538-0616 [email protected] weekly to paint at The Prairie Art Gallery, Sept - May, 7 - 10 pm, Tuesdays. Annual membership fee. Opportunities for instruction and exhibition.

PEACE COUNTRY SPINNERS & WEAVERS780-532-1472 [email protected] guilds from the Brit-ish Columbia and Alberta Peace River region.

PEACE WATERCOLOUR SOCIETYc/o Box 825Spirit River, AB T0H 3G0780-864-3608 Judy; 780-568-4124 SuzannePeace Country artists focusing on transparent watercolours. Semi-annual shows throughout the Peace Country. New members welcome through a juried process.

PRAIRIE FIGURE DRAWING GROUPc/o 10209 - 99 St. Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2H3780-532-8446 Karen780-532-2573 JimNon-instructional, informal group meets weekly at The Prairie Art Gallery, Sept.-May, Thursdays 7-10pm. Drop-in or monthly fee.

ARTISTSADRIAN-CLARK, Carol9338 - 69 A Ave. Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6T3 [email protected] renderings of florals, landscapes and still life, in co-loured pencil and oil painting.

ASHTON, Ed#37, 8910 - 122 AveGrande Prairie, AB T8X [email protected] artwork in watercolour; Alberta grain elevators, rustic scenes, barns.

BEGGS, Lorraine921 Cornwall CrescentDawson Creek, BC V1G [email protected] photography, co-lourful; encaustics, chalk pastel, watercolour. Mixed media. Mostly abstract.

Vicki HotteCarol SletsmaMarilyn SnellVivian FarnsworthDarlene DautelLee SalterLouise McNeilToni Schuler

Ruth LewkowitzSean ReillyCatherine NychkaMarion BrownMarjorie HennPeggy MartinDeanna BurchettLil LarsonJoanne Loberg

James Harvey, Sharing the News, ink on paper.


BIBI POTTERY (Bibi Clement)P.O. Box 144Hythe, AB TOH [email protected] Potter/Sculptor specializing in wood fire and raku techniques. Director of BICWA Society, Inter-national Residency Program

BOZARTH, C. PAIGESexsmith, AB780-430-7937info@cpaigedesign.comwww.cpaigedesign.comContemporary abstracts, land-scapes and wildlife art. Acrylic or conté originals. Residential or cor-porate commissions available.

BROWN, JudyBox 825Spirit River, AB T0H [email protected] paintings reflect the peace-fulness and serenity of our land-scape.

CLOAKE, Sue9927 - 86 Park Ave.Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0C9780-539-7405Mixed media collage - a combina-tion of mediums creates an intri-cate abstract textural surface.

COCHRANE, Leona12105 - 95A StreetGrande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected], botanical and hu-man forms inspire mixed media and oil paintings.

COWAN, CorinneRR3, Site 2, Box 6Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected] watercolour lends itself to a wide range of values and free-dom of movement on paper, it is my choice of medium.

CRAIPLEY, SheilaBox 569Sexsmith, AB T0H 3C0780-568-3754Landscape, acrylic and oils in lo-cal landscapes and historic sites.

CRICHTON, HollyGeneral DeliveryGrovedale, AB T0H 1X0780-538-9264holly_crichton@hotmail.comwww.nightofartists.comWatercolour painting, equine sub-ject matter.

CURRIE, Gordon1512 - 113 Ave.Dawson Creek, BC V1G 2Z5250-782-6388gcurrie@eldoren.comwww.watercolorpainting.infoWatercolour and mixed media art-ist - scenic nature works of art.

DEMUYNCK, Inez11121 - 16 StDawson Creek, BC V1G [email protected]/Artist specializing in cre-ative watercolour and handbuilt clayworks.

DICKSON, Yvonne10015 - 89 Ave.Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2Y9780-532-1629Watercolours with a Peace Coun-try theme.

DITCH, ValerieBox 882Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected] working in watercolour with attention to light and detail. Originals, giclée prints and cards.

DIXON, SuzanneBox 124Pouce Coupe, BC V0C 2C0850-786-5582Folk art paintings, pictures, cards.

DRONYK, Dymphny11306 - 102B St.Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected], writing, grants, pro-posals, screenwriting and video production.

DUPERRON, Frances9909 - 92 AveGrande Prairie, AB T8V 0H7780-532-2753Acrylic/oil paintings, landscapes, still lifes.

ENFIELD, JanetBox 815Wembley, AB T0H [email protected] work of any subject in oil or acrylic.

FARRELL, Jody8508 - 100 A St.Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected], oil, acrylic - mostly landscapes, flowers.

GAIR, MiriamBox 7211Peace River, AB T8S [email protected] use semi-abstract form, light, and simplification to create oneness with spirituality and nature. Work in any media but prefer waterco-lour.

GILJE, LenaBox 252Wembley, AB T0H [email protected], wedding and portrait photography, original artwork, fabric art.

GOURLAY, MarilynGrande Prairie, [email protected] media, life drawings. I enjoy the creative process. Facilitate art retreats and teach yoga.

GREENTREE, BarbBox 41Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected] emphasizing the Wild Kakwa and Peace Country in acrylics and watercolour.

GUEST, RobertBox 1784Grande Cache, AB T0E 0Y0780-532-8111 for informationPainter in the Symbolist Landscape tradition preferring wilderness and nocturnal subject matter. HAAKSTAD, Carmen8012-99 St.Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected] art.

HART, Louanne4611-94 St.Grande Prairie, AB T8W [email protected] originals, prints and cards of local and international subjects.

HEIMDAL, Tim9804 - 102 St.Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected] (interior and exterior) commissions, portraits. Acrylic on canvas. Impressionistic.

HENN, K. MarjorieBox 262Beaverlodge, AB T0H [email protected] and wilderness themes are my inspiration, watercolour is my main medium.

HERBISON, JanisPO Box 126Hudson’s Hope, BC V0C 1V0250-783-5534www.hummingbirdfineart.comWatercolour, pen and ink realistic paintings. Portraits, landscapes and wildlife. Workshops avail-able.

HOLLER, ColleenBox 363Wembley, AB T0H [email protected] variety of watercolour subjects with a view to contrast, light, co-lour and form.

HOMMY, BarryBox 298Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0780-354-8117 (w)780-356-3741 (h)Artist in watercolour - local land-scapes.

HOTTE, VickiBox 277Beaverlodge, AB T0H [email protected] paintings and drawings - rural subject matter.


KAUT, Donna, BSc, FCABox 675Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected]“I focus on oil paintings of wild-flowers and berries of Alberta.”

KLUKAS, Carrie10818 - 95 St.Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected] paintings on board, ab-stract expressionism.

LAURIN, Ray9637 - 113 Ave.Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1W4780-532-5232With acrylics, I can capture what nature has to offer us which is a panorama of colour.

LE CORRE, Lynn11110 - 95 St.Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected] in miniature simplifies the landscape to colour and painterly forms.

MANHOLT-HOTTE, SherriePO Box 626Wembley, AB T0H [email protected] media painter. Abstract.

MAY, Nick9902 - 96 AvenueGrande Prairie, AB T8V 0M2780-539-6277leonora@telusplanet.netwww.theartofnickmay.comAward winning nature artist.

MCGUINTY, Kristine12813 - 92 St.Peace River, AB T8S [email protected],nightorartists.comHarvest Moon Studio: Contemp- orary photographic images, po-laroid emulsion transfers, acrylic paintings and drawings.

MCNEIL, MicheleRR2 Site 13 Box 41Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected] glass with a contemporary twist. “Yours is to dream it. Mine is to create it.”

MULLIGAN, Helena8709 - 98 St.Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2C7780-538-2009Insights, expressions of every-day life in sculptures, drawings and paintings. Commissions wel-comed.

PALMER, Valerie‘Spores n’ More’Box 6512Peace River, AB T8S [email protected] spore prints: images created from natural spores of fungi.

PETERS, Rika10514-103 Ave.Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected] paintings; impressionistic landscapes.

SANDBOE, Suzanne ASA, PWSBox 28, Site 9, RR1Sexsmith, AB T0H [email protected] landscapes, portraits and scenes from everyday life. Original work and commissions in a variety of mediums.

SHILKA JACOBA, MarianGrande Prairie, [email protected]“Intuitive painting.” Primarily watercolour, capturing the essence of brief, unforgettable moments in time.

SMITH, Len9110 - 100 StGrande Prairie, AB T8V 2K5780-539-4608Relief wood carving, 3D carving, intarsia, woodburning. Custom artwork and instruction.

ST. ANDRE, VivianPeace River, AB T85 [email protected] and watercolour, abstract and traditional, sculpture and digi-tal imagery.

STAFFORD, Cathy10429-101 Ave.Grande Prairie, [email protected]/expressionistic oilpainting.

STEFANSSON, Wendy10509 - 81 St.Peace River, AB T8S [email protected] conceptually, employing photography, acrylic paints and sculptural techniques.

STELMASCHUK, ErinBox 1296Bow Island, AB T0K 0G0403-545-6794estelmaschuk@hotmail.comwww.erinstelmaschuk.comSkilled in many mediums. Erin works predominantly with copper. Commssions welcome.

STOKES, Jim10417 - 110 Ave.Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1S8780-532-2573Quality, original paintings, draw-ings and prints. Contemporary representational work.

STROM, Brenda10205 - 76 Ave.Grande Prairie, AB T8W [email protected], oil, monoprints of florals, intimate landscapes and hockey players.

SUTER, EvelynPO Box 1416Grande Cache, AB T0E [email protected] print-making, there is a real challenge and joy in being part of the ongoing, if not surprising, evo-lution the method excites.

SWANSTON, NanRR3, Site 4, Box 6Grande Prairie, AB T8V [email protected] of landscapes, flo-rals, people and close-ups of na-ture and still life.

SYROTA, Dale7601 - 102 St.Grande Prairie, AB T8W [email protected] transparent water-colour painting rendered in a true and unique style.

WILLIAMS, [email protected] pottery, over 15 years experience with 8 years of teaching experience. Available to instruct workshops at beginner or interme-diate levels.

PHOTOGRAPHYMCKENZIE, Cheryl9102 - 105 Ave.Grande Prairie, AB T8X 1H7780-532-6353cheryl@imagedesignpros.comwww.instantimages.comStock photography site for Peace Country photographers and graph-ic artists to promote their work.

MCLAUGHLIN, CatherineGrande Prairie, [email protected] - informal portraits of people and their pets, landscape. Freelance writing, poetry readings.

PETTIT, Don1204 - 103 AveDawson Creek, BC V1G 2G9250-782-60681-866-373-8488don@peacephotographics.comwww.peacephotographics.comPeace Region nature photography, graphic design, publishing, mar-keting, product development.

www.artofthepeace.caart of the peace ��

BEAVERLODGE, ALBERTA

• Beaverlodge Cultural Centre512 - 5 Ave.Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0780-354-3600 (phone & fax)Hours: Tues. - Fri. 1 pm - 5 pm Sat. & Sun. 1 pm - 4 pm

Gallery, gift shop and tea room.

Exhibits & Events The Swallow FamilyShow & SaleApril 30 - May 26, 2006 Beaverlodge Regional High School Art Students’ ShowMay 28 - June 16

Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling ExhibitOut on the Mountains, Deep in the

WoodsJune 18 - June 30, 2006

Adrian TownShow & SaleJuly 2 - July 28, 2006

Natures GalleryShow & SaleJuly 30 - August 25, 2006

Tim HeimdalShow & SaleAugust 27 - September 29, 2006

Teressa Hill & Shaun McPher-sonShow & SaleOctober 1 - October 27

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. • Dawson Creek Art Gallery101 - 816 Alaska AvenueDawson Creek, BC V1G 4T6250-782-2601www.dcartgallery.ca

The Gallery and Northern Trea-sures Giftshop are open 9 am to 5 pm daily from May to September.

Year round, artist run centre; gift shop; 13 exhibits per year; art rental; education programs.

Exhibits & EventsTime Out for Seniors ProgramExploring ArtMarch 28 - April 15, 2006

Students from School District #59Mixed MediaApril 18 - May 6, 2006

Midnight at the OasisMay 5, 2006Kiwanis Arts Centre. This year the theme for the art auction is “Midnight at the Oasis” with food and entertainment of a decidedly Arabian flavour. Tickets are available at the art gallery and Picture It for $20 each.

Gordon & Holly PerretMay 8 - June 10, 2006

South Peace Art SocietyIn the SummertimeJune 12 - July 31, 2006

Susan BrandoliWild Western NarrativeAugust 29 - September 23, 2006

Emily Mattson & Karl MattsonThe ExpeditionSeptember 26 - November 11, 2006

Please check our website or phone the gallery for a complete schedule of 2006 exhibits and events.

FAIRVIEW, ALBERTA • Fairview Fine Arts Centre10801-103 Ave.Fairview, AB T0H 1L0780-835-2697; fax 780-835-5561www.fairviewfinearts.comfinearts@telusplanet.netHours: Tues. - Sat. 12 pm - 5 pm

Gallery, fine arts gift shop and edu-cation programs.

Exhibits & Events

Heather McNairShow & SaleMay 6 -20, 2006

Valleyview

Falher

St. Isidore

43

43

49Chetwyn

Hudson HopeManning

Fort Nelson

Tumbler Ridge

Grande Cache

40

where it’s all at . . . galleries of the Peace Peace Region Gallery Events and Exhibitions


Artists at School ShowMay 27 - June 3, 2006Artists NorthShow & SaleJune 10 - July 1, 2006

Kid’s Fest - Childrens’ FestivalJune 17, 2006

Members’ Summer ExhibitShow & SaleJuly 8 - August 5, 2006

Life Near Gjo HavenAFA Travelling ShowAugust 12 - 26, 2006

Fairview Ag SocietyQuilting & Weaving Show & SaleSeptember 2 - 23, 2006

Tailgate PartySeptember 23, 2006

Kerry and Ann Shatz, Lee Ann Jones and Constance DavidsonShow & SaleSeptember 30 - October 14, 2006

Peace Watercolour Society Show & SaleOctober 21 - November 4, 2006

FT. ST. JOHN, B.C. • Sonlight Gallery9312-100 St.Ft. St. John, B.C. V1J [email protected], framing and home decore. ‘Get the Big Picture.’

GRANDE CACHE, ALBERTA • Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive CentreHome of the Palette Pals Art ClubHighway 40 SouthBox 300Grande Cache, AB T0E 0Y0780-827-3300

[email protected] hours May - October9 am - 6 pm, daily

Wildlife and historical displays, art gallery and gift shop.

Exhibits & Events

Grande Cache Watercolour Society Show & SaleMay 20 - June 3

Palette Pals Art Show & SaleSpring 2006

Metis Culture & Heritage Travelling ExhibitionProud TraditionsApril - June 3, 2006

GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALBERTA • Centre for Creative Arts9904 - 101 Ave.Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0X8 780-814-6080www.gparts.orgCheck our website for current in-formation about our education programs, drop-in studios, artist run studios and cafe.

• Forbes and Friends9918A - 100 Ave.Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0T9 780-513-1933; fax 780-513-1949Gallery of Alberta crafts. Pottery, glass, jewellery, accessories, hand painted silk, home decor.

• Picture Perfect Frame & Gallery9934 - 100 Ave.Grande Prairie, AB780-539-4091; fax 780-539-4554picperf@telusplanet.netwww.pictureperfectfineart.comArtists supplies and custom fram-ing. Local artwork, prints and re-productions. Home decore.

Exhibits and Events

Capture the Beauty of the PeaceMay 3, 2006 Contest ends with the announce-ment of the winners at a special reception. Open to the public.

• Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, The Courtyard GalleryLower Level, QEII Hospital10409 - 98 St.Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2E8780-538-7585Original works by local artists.In affiliation with the QEII Foun-dation.

Exhibits & Events

GALLERY

Nature’s GalleryApril - May

A.F.A.Travelling ExhibitionColored Fields and Letters June - September Lynne LecorreSeptember - October

SHOWCASES

Harry Lehners Collections of handmade imple-mentsApril - May

My Grandfathers Things June - September

Minature Car Collection October - November

• The Prairie Art Gallery10209 - 99 St.Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2H3780-532-8111; fax [email protected] A gallery, education pro-grams, art rental and gift shop.

Exhibits & Events

Canadian Society of Painters in WatercolourLimitless PotentialGPRC Fine ArtsButton ShowAll Schools/All ArtApril 7 - May 14, 2006

Marsha Kennedy James UlrichChildren’s Interactive Exhibi-tionSpot the ArtMay 19 - June 18, 2006

House & Garden Tour & GalaJune 16 - 17, 2006

McNaught FestivalJuly 21 - 23, 2006

David HoffosAva P. ChristlChildrens Interactive ExhibitionJune 29 - September 3, 2006

John HallDuane LinklaterArtists NorthGP TeachersSeptember 8 - October 15, 2006

Tempt Your Palette\October 21, 2006 PEACE RIVER, ALBERTA • Frameworks Custom Framing & Gallery9903 - 100 Ave.Peace River, AB T8S 1S4780-624-1984; fax 780-624-1984Custom framing and ready-made framing supplies. Original art-work, prints, posters, photographs, pottery, and other local handi-crafts.

Be Included! • Your name in the gallery directory and on the website

• Exposure for your events and exhibits throughout the region

• Magazines for your gallery visitors and customers

visit www.artofthepeace.ca for more information


BEAVERLODGE, ALBERTA

Beaverlodge Cultural Centre

Ongoing programs in pottery, stained glass, batik, weaving, acrylic, oil and watercolour paint-ing classes for a variety of ages. Please call Sue, 780-354-3600 for dates and details.

Gallery exhibition and gift shop sales opportunities are available. Please call Sue at 780-354-3600 for further information.

DAWSON CREEK, B.C.

Dawson Creek Art Gallery

Peace Country Summer School of the ArtsJuly and August 2006

For details on these and other courses and registration informa-tion phone 250-782-2601 or e-mail [email protected].

Opportunities for exhibition in the gallery are available. Guidelines for exhibitions can be viewed at www.dcartgallery.ca.

Northern Lights College

The College offers a one-year pro-gram, leading to a graduation cer-tificate in the Visual and Graphic Arts, to prepare the student for a wide variety of career opportuni-ties. In addition, a two-year pro-gram is also offered leading toward an Associate of Arts Diploma. The primary focus is to build a portfolio for job preparedness or to continue education in another institution. Phone 250-782-5251 for informa-tion.

FAIRVIEW, ALBERTA

Fairview Fine Arts Centre

Call the Centre at 780-835-2697 or email [email protected] for program details and registration information.

GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALBERTA

Centre for Creative Arts

For information and up to date class

information, check out our website at www.gparts.org or contact us at [email protected]. You can also call us at 780-814-6080.

Courtyard Gallery, Queen Eliza-beth II Hospital

For information about exhibitions contact Karen at the QEII Founda-tion office 780-538-7583. Display cubes (showcases) are also avail-able for collections or 3-dimen-sional art.

Grande Prairie Regional Col-lege

The Fine Arts Department Offers students a wide range of ca-reer and learning opportunities in the Fine Arts. These include Diplo-ma, University Transfer programs, and courses in Music, Art, and Drama. Students in all programs may also fulfill their Fine Arts op-tion requirements with FAD credit courses. Non-credit Visual Arts courses include drawing, painting, digital arts, and photography.

The Prairie Art Gallery

PD DaysThese great hands-on workshops will allow the teacher or art lover to learn a new technique to teach or enhance their own work.Saturdays 1 - 4 pm

Studio & Art MentorsFor children 6 + years.

Painting on LocationExplore and paint Klusken HillsJune 10, 2006, 10 am - 5:00 pm

Seniors Art ProgramTuesday mornings at The Gallery beginning September 2006.

Masters in the ClassroomJody Farrell, artist and teacher-gives a history and easy workshop on some of the great artists includ-ing Matisse and Picasso.

Art After DarkA great program where the public is welcome to take in a session on an art. The ninety minute sessions cover everything from art history to art demonstrations. Sessions be-gin September 2006, Monday eve-nings from 7 - 8:30 pm.

TREXThe Prairie Art Gallery is compil-ing a bank of artists throughout the Peace Region. This is a great op-portunity for the Gallery to become more familiar with the artists in the

region and what they are doing. Submit your name and contact in-formation with a brief artist state-ment, no more than 150 words, and a maximum of 3 images which gives an overview of your work. Please note that this is not consid-ered an exhibition proposal. Artist Bank Files The Prairie Art Gallery 10209-99 street Grande Prairie, AB TV 2H3 Attn: Sue Cloake Millar

Please contact The Prairie Art Gallery for furthur information about these and other programs the gallery offers.

Red Deer College Visual Arts Series

Series in Grande Prairie is returning July 31 to August 4. For informa-tion call Anne Brodie at 403-342-3504 or [email protected] include:- Abstract Painting workshop- Papermaking- Image Transfer for Paper and Fibre Artists- Face Figures in Water Media- Mixing it Up- Achieving Impact in Your Water colour- Low Tech Jewellery Casting- Throwing and Altering on the Potter’s Wheel- Glass Beadmaking

Robert Guest Gallery, Picture Perfect Frame & Gallery

Robert Guest Gallery is available for exhibitions - call Allan at 780-539-4091 for information.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Snap Gallery

The Society of Northern Alberta Print Artists (SNAP) has as its mandate the promotion, facilitation and communication of printmaking as an artistic medium. - Snap’s printshop provides print makers with the ability to pro- duce work in a professional and safe environment.- Community programs provide specialized printmaking programs for all ages.- Memberships available.- Annual call for submissions for exhibition programming for 2008. Deadline: September 1, 2006- Accepting proposals for ongoing store front fundraising sales space. 50% of sales support SNAP’s programming. Changes bi-monthly.

For more information visit www.snapartists.com or call 780-423-1492.

The Visual Arts Association of Alberta

An inclusive arts service organiza-tion mandated to provide support, services and advocacy for all level of visual artists in every media in the province of Alberta. Become a member and enjoy the benefits.

For more information call toll free: 1-866-421-1731 or visit www.visu-alartsalberta.com

Alberta Craft Council

Join one of Canada’s leading craft arts organizations and start reaping benefits today!

For more information toll free in Alberta: 1-800-362-7238 or visit www.albertacraft.ab.ca

education &opportunities


Wha

t’s n

ew .

. . wh

at’s

happ

ening

?

ARTARTicipaction

THE CENTRE FORCREATIVE ARTS

it’s all at www.gparts.org

780.814.6080

Decorative Arts, Po

ttery,

Stain Glass, F

ine Arts ...

and so much

more!

WHY Subscribe?• Art of the Peace delivered to your door• Peace Region art store discounts• Email updates

Only $�0 a year visit www.artofthepeace.ca

Support Peace Region art marketing initiatives


The Last WordArt Heals

Google “healing arts” and you will find over 20 mil-

lion available sites. The concept not only includes

such physical practices as massage and reiki therapies,

but the traditional arts, including music, poetry, and vi-

sual arts and their particular health benefits.

Most artists recognize that at some level, their work feeds

their well-being. But slowly, we are beginning to tap into

its effect on its viewers or participants. Everyone has a

story about hearing a song, seeing a painting or happen-

ing upon a particularly attractive house or window dis-

play and its immediate pleasurable effect. What is hap-

pening as part of our growing desire for a sense of peace

and well-being, is that we are identifying the significant

role the arts plays in that goal.

There will always be naysayers who see art as unimport-

ant. It is the nature of the arts to gently cajole and com-

fort, to peek out from a wall, or to waft musically down

the street. Their soothing and healing qualities are not

always immediately recognized and will only become so

with direct and conscious support by practitioners and in-

stitutions seeking to restore not only physical, but mental

and spiritual health among workers and visiting clients.

This issue looks at two ways in which the arts are be-

ing introduced with a purpose to restore and rejuvenate

a spirit of hope and happiness. These insights into the

healing side of art may foster a widely supported effort

at reintroducing it into our lives, our education, and our

culture.

Jody Farrell, Editor, Art of the Peace


“My process”, sounds odd, doesn’t it? It’s like a magic alchemistic formula of transforming layers of paint into a painting. Actually it takes many layers of paint alternately scratched back into the board using sandpaper. This continues until the work resonates with me. Chiaroscuro or the play between light and dark always tends to happen. It becomes part of the evolutionary and transformative process, like a metaphor for my life. Always a ray of hope shining through.

Carrie KlukasIn The Garden With Horse And Rider, 4’ x 5’


10209 - 99 Street Grande Prairie, AB (780) 532 - 8111

See art.Good art.

The Prairie Art Galleryw w w . p r a i r i e g a l l e r y . c o m

UP

CO

MI

NG

E

VE

NT

S

UP

CO

MI

NG

E

XH

IB

IT

IO

NS

April 7 - May 14Opening: Fr iday Apr i l 7 at 7:30 pmCanadian Society of Painters in WatercolourGrande Prairie Regional CollegeAll Schools/All Art

May 19 - June 24Opening: Fr iday May 26 at 7:30 pmMarsha KennedyJames UlrichChildrens Interactive Exhibit ion

June 29 - Sept. 3Opening: Thursday June 29 at 7:30 pmDavid HoffosAva P. ChristlChildrens Interactive Exhibit ion

Sept. 8 - October 15Opening: Fr iday September 15 at 7:30 pmJohn HallDuane LinklaterArtists NorthGP Teachers

April 29Art Auction

June 16 & 17House & Garden Tour & Gala

July 21 - 23McNaught Art Celebration on Main

October 27Tempt Your Palette

art of the peace | issue #6

Documents

peace art

prairie art gallery

business of art

touring art exhibition

peace contentseditor

peace magazine

peace visual arts association

peace aotp society