We’re in the midst of Artists Studio Tour season.
This weekend, the venerable Fairfield Artists Studio tour offers 23 artists, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details, go to fairfieldartistsstudiotour.com or start your tour at the Garry Oak Room at 1335 Thurlow Rd.
Another open studio will take place on Thursday, May 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Jenny Butchart Studio, the home of Artworks at the Garth Homer Centre (813 Darwin St., garthhomersociety.org). Many of the artists involved have worked in this sheltered studio for years, cultivating remarkable careers in a lovely studio that is directed by a very sympathetic staff. The unique work created by the dedicated artists is always full of surprises, and a visit to the studio is a revelation.
Illustrating Emily Carr is on show at Emily Carr House (207 Government St.). These are illustrative works (translation: they look like something, often very literally) created by members of the Island Illustrators Society. This time, the venerable group (holding topical shows in Victoria for more than 25 years) gets its teeth into a good theme with an inspiring location to show their work. If you aspire to be an illustrator, this club’s for you. Check the hours at Carr House, and expect a small admission fee for the show. ([email protected])
The Red Art Gallery is about to close in June. It has been a successful and creative run for artist Marion Evamy and her go-getter husband Bobb Hamilton, who will remain online, but close their storefront.
This power couple of art began in Evamy’s Oak Bay home where she had a studio in the backyard. Then they moved her workspace to a little storefront on Oak Bay Avenue and named it the Red Art Gallery. There they were besieged by other artists wanting display space, and Red soon doubled in size. About three years ago, they made a big jump to their current location at Oak Bay and Monterey, which brought more artists and many community events.
Late last year, they changed the operation, making it solely Evamy’s studio again. Now, citing health concerns (and perhaps a bit distracted by the constant demands of being open for the public), Hamilton and Evamy are saying goodbye to the avenue. They have made a positive contribution. (redartgallery.ca)
Robin Hopper’s long career as a “mudpusher” has come to an end, and his oeuvre of thousands of pots has concluded. But his long experience in the theatre goes on, and the old showman presents his latest endeavour, appropriately titled Swansong.
It’s a video more than two hours long that sums up his life’s work. Hopper sings and reminisces, dresses up in funny costumes and offers a selection from the “greatest hits” of his many pottery workshop tutorials. He demonstrates his finest techniques, such as agate ware and slip-trailing. And he tells of his childhood in London during wartime and takes us on a tour of his world-famous garden in Metchosin.
Described as “Robin Hopper’s final contribution to the world,” this self-directed eulogy will probably never make it to commercial airtime, but if you, like me, appreciate Hopper as an inspiration and an example, you’ll enjoy this extended visit with him. The money raised will go to a foundation for pediatric cancer research in the U.S. and for early-childhood visual arts training in British Columbia. Already, Hopper reports, $25,000 has been raised. For further details regarding Swansong, contact ’Chosin Pottery at 250-474-2676, chosinpottery.ca.
Recently, I attended the annual presentation of scholarships by the Victoria Visual Arts Legacy ([email protected]). This group was initiated by Pat Martin Bates, our reigning grande dame of the arts. It began as a project of the alumni association of the Victoria College of Art, and then expanded to support the other art schools of Victoria: Vancouver Island School of Art, Camosun College and University of Victoria.
Money is given by senior artists and supporters for bursaries — one student from each school, chosen by their teachers. This year, five scholarships of $750 each were given. The Michael Morris Legacy Award to Luke Fair, University of Victoria Visual Arts; Megan Quigley, Camosun College, received the Arthur Vickers Award; Crystal Loszchuk, University of Victoria Art Education, won the Pat Martin Bates Award; the Robin Hopper Legacy Award went to Natasha Van Nettan, Vancouver Island School of Art; and Karen Zemanek, Victoria College of Art, received the Norman Yates Legacy Award.
Mary-ellen Thredkell put it best: “This initiative is very dear to my heart, the legacy of passing it forward, the stimulation of a new generation of artists and the honouring of our legacy artists.”
