Sitting Pretty is the title of the upcoming show opening in March at the Community Arts Centre.
The subject of this show, sponsored by the Community Arts Council, will be quilts and chairs. Visitors will see art or traditional quilts as well as chairs used as a medium.
There will be chairs embellished with paint, textiles or found materials to create truly one-of-a-kind furniture. A variety of treatments are hoped for, from serious to whimsical, suitable for house or garden.
Participants can use their own chairs or, if that is not possible, work on a chair that Heather Gunning has rounded up. To join in the fun of this show, call the arts council at 250-656-7400 to have an entry form emailed to you, or visit the art centre from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Currently showing at the centre this month is work by Parkland secondary school art students. It includes those who have portfolios ready to go on to post secondary school, as well as students in earlier grades. The show demonstrates the students’ emerging skills and talent and is, at the same time, thought provoking and provocative.
The visitor comment book provides testimony to its power to encourage thought in the mind of the viewer. Students will be in attendance on weekend afternoons to explain the intent of their work. When I dropped in on Saturday, Mann Chalermwat explained the concept behind two of his pieces. One was an exercise where he was encouraged to use short brush strokes to carry out his painting and the other was an exercise in using graphite.
The show is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is on until the enad of the month.
Another display featuring arts in the schools is in the foyer at the Mary Winspear Centre.
Each year the arts council works with the school district to bring professional artists into the schools. Funds from private donations and the fall fine art show contribute to bring programs in painting, pottery, dance, music and — this past year — costume design to the classroom.
Photos showing the successes and enjoyment of the children are in the foyer cases at the Mary Winspear Centre.
The Community Art Centre at Tulista Park not only showcases our local artists but also acts as a resource centre for arts groups on the Peninsula. There is a kiosk in the building where news of upcoming arts events and classes both by groups and individuals is displayed.
I encourage any performing or visual arts group or person to make use of this service and to make sure that the office is up to date so that when called it can give the correct information.