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Art continues to bloom throughout South Delta

As in all walks of life, changes have become a challenge. Gallery 1710 in Tsawwassen has been closed for several months, thoroughly disinfected, polished and painted, and is now open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.
Artist Guild
Laurel Johnson is one of the South Delta Artists Guild members who has continued to paint during the pandemic.

As in all walks of life, changes have become a challenge. Gallery 1710 in Tsawwassen has been closed for several months, thoroughly disinfected, polished and painted, and is now open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors are limited in numbers so everyone stays safe.

The South Delta Artists Guild welcomes new members at any time and has protocols in place to comply with COVID-19 social distancing. Its drop-in sessions are limited to 13 spaces in the studio, with a coordinator booking each artist for three hours from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m.

Visit www.southdeltaartistsguild.com for bookings and membership. Prorated membership is $90 and goes until April 30. Online registration is available.

Each guild member is asked to man the gallery during exhibits four times a year and work on a committee to spread the workload around.

Some of the exhibits are on the South Delta Artists Guild Facebook page and include options to purchase pieces. Imagine ends Aug. 2and is followed by Creativity Unmasked, which runs until Sept. 20. The guild hopes to change its outside venues as soon in September as is possible.

The guild is hosting online demos by outstanding artists beginning in October. Lolita Hammill will be featured using a Zoom platform.

The guild is planning to produce classes with member artist Monica Burrow, who will work with six students so all can join in remotely. Other workshops will be added as soon as artists become familiar with the technology. 

During the shutdown, a group sketching session every Friday afternoon requires a sketchpad, pencil, eraser, chair, water, hat, sunscreen – that’s all we need except a view, both wide angle and close up. Members keep in touch with nature and their painting buddies. Diefenbaker Park, parks in Ladner, the waterfront and everyone’s backyard keep the creative juices going and pencils busy. 

If you’re interested in painting, and have always wanted to give it a try, consider joining the guild as members are emailing their etchings and paintings to each other and enjoying the goal of becoming a better artist.