Ripple Effect: Art Work for the Salish Sea

RIPPLE EFFECT: Art Work for the Salish Sea

There’s a ripple effect in all we do –
What you do, touches me;
What I do, touches you.” (author unknown) 

 

Everyone has their breaking point. Ours is projecting ahead to a possible moment in the not too distant future when the Salish Sea could be devoid of orca. Think about that for a moment. Imagine telling your children or grandchildren about these majestic creatures who used to live in our waters.  

This article lays out the grim reality http://bit.ly/2lZtbWh. 

We at the Salt Spring Gallery can not fathom life without orca. Many of us take direct creative inspiration from the Salish Sea and the creatures in her waters. We can't let this happen. 

In an attempt to do our part, we are making art work for the Salish Sea.

What does this mean? We are focusing our art making and art showcasing this summer on fundraising to support the Salish Sea and the remaining southern resident killer whales. We would love if you would join us by attending our events, making a donation or buying art that makes a difference. 

Orca in the Salish Sea

Orca in the Salish Sea

Exciting partnerships!

There will be an Orca Festival this summer called Orca Soundings: An Art Event for the Last of the Southern Resident Orca. This is an art project using whale sculptures and their human guardians, in a performance that reflects the wide spread knowledge of orca—both traditional and scientific— and love for these whales. The Orca festival is also fundraising for the Raincoast Conservation Foundation who are focusing their efforts this year on supporting the orca. We plan to partner with the Orca Festival to offer some joint events and host some orca pod visitations. We will also be fundraising for Raincoast Conservation Foundation as they spearhead a legal campaign to protect the orca in the face of increased pressures that threaten their very survival.

Here is a letter to anyone interested in joining there first big event at the Walk 4 the Salish Sea.

Hello Fellow Friends of the Orcas

As you’ve shown interest in our Orca Soundings project, we have exciting news to share – we’ve set a date for our Super Pod event!

Our Super Pod event is a creative effort to express the vulnerability of our Southern Resident Orcas; to create a lasting visual in people’s minds, one that we hope will inspire action.

On May 28th, our whales will join the last leg of the Walk 4 the Salish Sea, marching on the Westridge Kinder Morgan Terminal in Burnaby, and celebrating with the Walk 4 the Salish Sea folks at Westridge Park for the Fossil Fuel Freedom Fest.

To bring our vision of 2D and 3D orca props and puppets swimming through a sea of blue and green umbrellas to life, we need help! If you are willing to stand up for our Southern Resident Orcas please join us in Burnaby on May 28th.  And bring your friends!

Here is our (tentative) itinerary for the day, acknowledging that we have people coming from Salt Spring, Victoria and Vancouver:

  • 6:30 - 10am: travel from Salt Spring, Victoria and Vancouver to Burnaby 
    • 6:15am ferry from Fulford to Swartz Bay 
    • 7am ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen 
    • We’re organizing bus transportation from Tsawwassen to Burnaby and will need to know numbers
  • 10 – 11am: arrive at North Burnaby Secondary School
    • NBSS will be our muster point to gather, assign props (!) and hopefully practice some simple choreography to do our whales justice
  • 12 – 12:30pm: “swim” to George Green Park to meet the rest of the Walk 4 the Salish Sea walkers
  • 1pm: Join the Walk 4 the Salish Sea as they march on Westridge Kinder Morgan Terminal (approx. 3km)
  • 2pm Fossil Fuel Freedom Fest at Westridge Park 
  • 4pm (ish) – bus back to Tsawwassen terminal (for those ready to leave)

Please share this invite amongst your “pods” and pass along my contact information (jktoynbee@gmail.com) if anyone has any questions or is keen to get involved. We’ll have more details as we approach the date.

And a few pictures, to help you visualize and share in the excitement! More pictures and further details can be found here.

Jessie Toynbee

Pod-Coordinator!

 

Enchantment- paintings by Susan Haigh

"Enchantment is where the paintings come from, being put under the spell of something that calls out to be painted".

   We are so excited to have painter Susan Haigh as our newest member of the gallery. We are launching her with a show entitled Enchantment opening Thursday May 4. The show runs until Sunday May 14th. 

About Enchantment:

   For this show I am bringing together three favourite themes, large close ups of flowers, wildflowers in their habitat and vertical landscapes featuring trees. The landscapes are small, 6" x 12" whereas three of the flower close ups are 36" x 48". All of my paintings stem from a particular scene striking me as special. I take pictures for reference and hope that one day I will capture this specialness in a painting.

I guess I have always sought the road less travelled and my sense of humour is such that I prefer to talk funny rather than be serious. I sometimes make up botanical names for my paintings like Agave Prehistorica and Lily Giganteum . I did a whole series of hexagons. I don’t follow fashion so I have no qualms about doing things a little different.

I am happy to be joining the Salt SpringGallery and its talented artists. The cooperative way of doing things is one that appeals to me on many levels and I hope my cheerful good nature will be appreciated. 

 

Artist Statement

I am inspired by nature’s balance and unstoppable push for life. The simplicity and complexity of plants, the beauty in shape and form, the natural curve at that point of least resistance. 

I have always had a great respect for nature, be it the diverse population of creatures that share our planet, the unpredictable and sometimes violent weather that wakes us up to our insignificance or the rich variety of plants that support us in a myriad of ways.

 To celebrate this diversity, I choose flowers and foliage as the subjects of my paintings, exploring their intense colours and inventive forms. My latest enthusiasm is for trees and I am working on a series of small paintings of forest scenes.

As a lover of pure colour, I can always find inspiration in the ways nature calls attention to itself. Living in the predominantly green world of British Columbia, I feel a shock of delight when I see a splash of red flowers or a slice of bright blue sea. The often flamboyant, deliciously scented flowers of the South Pacific and New Zealand that I encountered as a teenager made a lasting impression on me, leaving me feeling a deep connection to the unsullied colours of flowers everywhere.

   I often feel there is too much focus in the world on negative events.  I find solace in nature’s confidence. There is so much beauty to be found when we examine closely the interconnected reality of nature. Birds, animals and plants are all superb in their individual ways but flowers are the world’s boldest optimists.  They show their cheerful faces in even the most inhospitable places and wear colours that call out to be noticed. The endless variety of shapes and colours of petals, leaves and seeds astounds me.  I am in awe of the relentless life force that drives these creations.

Tossed & Found II

Tossed and Found II- Recycled Art Exhibit 

Since last year's show was such a success, the Tossed and Found recycled art show is back, with Tossed and Found: Part Deux! A group of 14 local artists (7 returning and 7 new) are gathering together to show their new work made from recycled materials to emphasize repurposing and upcycling in the name of creativity.  Come to the Salt Spring Gallery on March 10th and be inspired! 

Tossed and Found II

Salt Spring's 2nd Annual Exhibition of Recycled Art

Reception:

Friday, March 10th

5-8pm. Salt Spring Gallery of Art - 135 McPhillips Ave.

Show Runs:

March 10th - 28th. Hours Wed-Sunday 11-4.

Please Share! Tossed & Found II

Facebook event

https://www.facebook.com/events/1821364078135977/?active_tab=discussion

Feedback from last year's show (guestbook comments):

"This is magical and exciting!” 

“My first art show!! Hooray!”

“Love it, great, fun pieces.”

A Sneek Peak of Four Works of Art

 

Artist: Nycki Samuels

Gear Snails (7 in total)- made from gears, chain, nuts and cotter pins

sizes ranging from (height, width, depth)

8" x 6" x 2"

4" x 6" x 2.5"

All pieces have been welded together to create unique garden ornaments

from up cycled mild steel garden tools and motorcycle and car/jeep/truck

parts.

................................................................................................................................

Artist: Rae-Anne Huth

 

Title: Catching Light

Size: 18x19"

This piece is made with broken pottery,glass , tile, pebbles, wire, coral ,old lace and beads. The figure is enjoying freedom. Running barefoot through the grass,hair blowing in the wind , chasing,and catching the elusive light.

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Artist: Heather Martin-McNab

 

Title:  Stillness and Movement        3D

Dimensions;  13” high x 8” diameter

Medium:  metal fishing line, metal belt, plastic spiral binding, silver jewelers wire,  metal stand, wire and shot glass.

Random woven and stitched.

 

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Artist: Chris Clark

 

Title: Strum

33” x 12” x 4” deep

Materials: discarded acoustic guitar, scrap stained glass, recycled bottle glass, copper foil, tin solder, broken guitar strings, scrap steel wire and sheet metal

Discarded and unwanted, then transformed with scrap glass, wire, and metal. Strum utilizes a discarded acoustic guitar form and injects new life with colour and shape. 

 

February Events

February Workshops

Get Creative!

MAKE YOUR HEART STAMP with visual artist Janice Parker on Sunday February 12th. Drop in from 11-2. Make a Linocut heart stamp along with card and envelope. $10 (children accompanied by an adult please).

CLAY FIGURES & FACES with Ceramic Artist Kathleen Raven. We're super excited to be hosting this wonderful two day workshop on Sat/Sun Feb 18/19th. Fee $150 Supplies included. To register email Kathleen at kathleenraven5@gmail.com  HURRY space is limited!

More Information for participants:

Welcome to the world of sculpting.

Dear Creative Friends,

Clay Figures and Faceswill be happening this February 18,19th from 10-4pm both days with an hour break from 12-1 for lunch. The workshop is $150 payable by cheque. Drop this off at the Salt Spring gallery Thursday-Sunday 11-4. Or email Kathleenraven5@gmail.com to make alternative arrangements.

Please note both days we will be creating with soft clay. I can fire your finished pieces and arrange pick up of fired pieces approximately 2 weeks after class. Or if you have your own kiln you my take your pieces home to fire.

We will discuss both cold and fired finishes in class. But work will not be ready for finishing in the 2 days of Figures and Faces. l may organize a finishing class at a later date if enough participants request this. Techniques learned in class can be used in other sculpting media such as Fimo or air dry clays.

The workshop will be at Salt Spring Gallery on 135 McPhillips Ave. Phone at Gallery 250 931 0011

 All supplies are included, but if you have these things please bring them to class. If you have extra items bring them to share during class time.

-apron

-small yogurt containers for water

-rag and sponges for clean up

-small ware boards [boards to carry our clay work on]

-rolling pin,wood only

-Clay tools if you have them, I also have lots to share

Please email me at kathleenraven5@gmail.com and like my facebook page www.facebook.com/KathleenRavenClay

ee Kathleen in action at the Salt Spring Library. Tuesday February 7, 6:30- 8:00 pm.

For a FREE Demo.

 

 

 

Fresh Look, Fresh Happenings for the New Year

After a short holiday break, we are excited to be hanging, organizing, planning and of course creating again.

Welcome Janice Parker

First we want to introduce our newest artist, painter and print maker extraordinaire Janice Parker. 

Here she is with fabric artist Ilse Leader. You can see her vibrant painted poppies in the background. She is wearing one of Ilse's beautiful shawls. Welcome Janice. We are so happy to have you!

ilse and janice.JPG

Winter Hours

We are open winter hours from now until March. Come in and say "hi" Thursday to Sunday 11-4pm. We have a whole new selection of art for you to enjoy. Here is a sneak peek.

Art Classes

We invite you to join the Creative by Nature Art- Foundations painting course with gallery Artist Lisa Lipsett. Classes are in the gallery on Monday afternoons starting January 23rd. You can learn more on Lisa's website www.creativebynature.org

Valentine Printmaking

Janice Parker will be offering special Valentine printmaking drop-in classes on Sunday February 12, 2017. Stay tuned for more info.

It's going to be a great year!

Into The light: A Winter Solstice Show

We are so excited to present Into The Light: A Winter Solstice Show. 

Salt Spring Gallery artists will be joined by painter Deana Dean, jeweller Virginia Midgett, ceramic artist Lee Ann Norgard, painter Janice Parker, photographer Shari McDonald, visual artist Ron Cooke and master woodturner Kurt Frost for this celebration of the return of the light.

With an Opening Reception on Friday Nov 25 from 4-6 pm and a long run until closing Thursday December 22nd, this show of gorgeous art will be an opportunity to choose the perfect gift of the season for your near and dear. Please scroll down to learn a bit more about each of our guest artists.

Join us for some good cheer on Saturday December 3rd at 5 pm for the official Ganges light up and again on Thursday December 8th for evening shopping hours.