Pat Tennant is showing her photos of Victoria corner stores at the Bruce Hutchison Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library (until July 3). It is one of the art shows that appear in each library, a series curated by the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria. This is a brilliant and very democratic outreach program, just the sort of thing that, in tiny increments, binds our community together. Libraries are a very democratic venue for art.
Tennant spoke highly of the CACGV. She bought her membership and soon had this show — “so many opportunities,” she told me. Tennant photographs the old-fashioned shops of our town by night, when streetlights’ glow softens the edges of the grit of reality. Enchanting.
The 2015 CNIB Eye Appeal Art is a fundraising gala, at which every ticketholder goes home with an original work of art. They’ve been doing it for quite a while, and this year offer a free public exhibition and artists’ reception on Thursday, May 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Crystal Garden. The artists enjoy a chance to meet and mingle with one another, and you can join the throng.
And see which artwork you’d pick when your number was drawn.
The Charman Bursary for the Arts, named for celebrity charity auctioneer Eric Charman, will, for the first time, be presented to a CNIB client who is enrolled in an arts program, performing or visual. Among the dozens of artists who have donated work, three contributors have been, or currently are, vision-impaired. Gurjeet Dhahan lost her sight after being shot by her husband.
Her piece is remarkable and can be seen on the Facebook page by clicking on “photos.” Robert Cerins was without vision for 40 days, and believes it helped him be more creative.
This year’s honorary chair is artist Laura Harris. For more information and tickets to the gala, contact Peter Baillie at peter@executivenetwork.ca.
Fired Up! comes to Victoria? This pottery exhibit has for 20 years been a fixture in Metchosin during the last weekend in May. This year, in addition, the potters are bringing a tempting selection of their work to Madrona Gallery (606 View St., 250-380-4660). The show runs to May 2. Fired Up! artist Gary Merkle says “this will be an exceptional collection and strong body of works not to be missed.”
Looking for the very best in emerging contemporary-art practice? You might find it at the annual Master of Fine Arts exhibit. It is titled Reverberations, and is opening May 1 at the University of Victoria’s Department of Visual Arts. Featuring the work of four graduating students in the MFA program, the exhibit includes photographic and video works, sculptural installations and intermedia practices.
UVic’s MFA is an intensive two-year degree program “predicated on immersive experiential learning combined with critical discussions.” Visual Arts chair Paul Walde explains: “We’re looking for artists who want to engage with contemporary art dialogue in an environment that really promotes independently driven, rigorous studio investigation in the service of research creation.” The opening takes place on Friday, May 1, from 5 to 7 p.m., and the exhibit runs daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until May 8 at UVic’s Visual Arts Building, “the gem of the Ring Road.”
Following a preview at Serious Coffee in Cook Street Village (until Thursday), the fourteenth annual Fairfield Artists’ Studio Tour takes place all over this charming seaside community on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s a self-guided tour that provides art-lovers an opportunity to meet local artists, tour their studios and view their work while exploring the beautiful neighbourhood of Fairfield. Visit the map page (fairfieldartistsstudiotour.com/ map.htm) to plan your route and then get on your bike, or take a hike.
Seng Yun Kwon has brought his work from Calgary for a solo exhibition of linocut prints opening at Polychrome Fine Art.
Seng Yun Kwon was born in South Korea in 1940 and came to Canada in 1974. Already a well-respected modern artist in Korea, he then studied — “casually” — at the Ontario College of Art, the University of Calgary and the Alberta College of Art. A fascinating discovery for Victoria. The first exhibit in Victoria of this senior artist continues until May 7 at Polychrome Fine Arts, 977-A Fort Street, 250-382-2787, polychromefinearts.com.
Victoria’s Bill Blair is the sole Canadian artist invited to participate in the upcoming exhibit Made in Mexico: The Rebozo in Art, Culture & Fashion. Set to open May 14 at the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City, the show will feature new works from 70 painters, photographers, conceptual artists, textile artists and fashion designers. Each was invited to present their response to the rebozo — the classic shawl woven and worn in Mexico from the 17th century to the present.
Bill Blair has travelled in Mexico for more than 20 years, and its culture, history and landscape continue to inspire him. At the request of U.K.-based curator Hilary Simon, Blair created three hand-painted photomontages for the exhibit. The exhibit opened last summer at London’s Fashion and Textile Museum.
For more information, contact Shelora Sheldan at shelora@shaw.ca..
