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Elphinstone: Artists of Pratt Road, part 3: activist artist Pat Ridgway

The third (and final) in my summer series about the artists of Pratt Road features Pat Ridgway, who has lived here for 31 years.
elphinstone
Pat Ridgway in her wonderful studio.

The third (and final) in my summer series about the artists of Pratt Road features Pat Ridgway, who has lived here for 31 years. In addition to being a fabulous artist, Pat is a well-known activist, fighting to save Gospel Rock, the forests of Mount Elphinstone and the watershed. Pat was the initiator of the first Earth Day on the Sunshine Coast (see Kelly Back’s column of July 3) and has stayed involved ever since. 

Entering her gate, you leave behind the traffic noise of Pratt Road and walk into an enchanted space of quaint buildings, bowers of flowers and winding pathways beside ponds and garden beds. This oasis is part of what Pat draws inspiration from as well as forests, which she is passionate about. Her studio is chock-a-block with paintings of all sizes and her lush trees, streams and ocean views have a spiritual feel, reminding me of Emily Carr. 

Pat was fascinated by her mother’s drawings of trees and remembers drawing a tree at the age of four and being coached by her mother to form the branches more naturally. She has been part of shows, including the popular Forests show at GPAG. Pat is an accomplished portrait artist and has been commissioned to paint portraits. One of her favourite subjects, Joni Mitchell, features prominently on her studio walls. 

I met Pat years ago through her activism and many will know her as a lifelong environmentalist. She believes we need to protect nature and the beauty it provides. She told me that her garden is her “summer canvas that she fills with flowers and food plants.” I’ve attended a couple of events there; one was the launch of the book, A Carpenter’s Tale, written by husband Ian Ridgway, and another was a lovely musical evening that I wrote about last summer. Pat is currently compiling a history of the first 12 years of SC Earth Day events and wants to include “info on other local grassroot environmental movements during that time to show how grassroot community energy can make positive changes.” Contact her if you have stories to share at patridg201@gmail.com. 

Pat’s many other creative pursuits include singing, learning guitar, designing, sewing and gardening and she’s taken more than 60,000 photographs! She has painted pottery and worked in stained glass. Her studio is an absolute delight – every inch of wall space alive with her paintings, light flowing in through abundant windows and views of the gardens, even seating for quiet contemplation. For a real treat, check out her website at www.patridgway.com/ 

Another artist of note living on Pratt Road is Sharon Danroth, who paints in water colours and acrylics. The owner of Daffadowndilly in Lower Gibsons, Sharon sells her paintings, and also jewelry, local teas, and art cards from local artists. Sadly, due to COVID, her delightful little shop is currently closed. Lukas Riggs, an exciting young artist, also on Pratt, makes beautiful bowls and other items out of a variety of wood, including burls. A recent Elphi grad, Lukas learned his craft there and has continued his artistic endeavours in a workshop on the property. You can contact him at 604-989-5744 (evenings are best). 

And no series about the artists of Pratt Road would be complete without a mention of master wood carver Darcy Getz. Darcy is well known for having carved the beautiful book gnome at Cedar Grove School, mentioned previously in this column.

For a street of only two kilometres in length, one can marvel about the creative energy at work here while passing through the neighbourhood. If you know of other fabulous artists in Elphinstone, let me know at: author.ggneilson@gmail.com