"Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and test of our civilization."
-Mahatma Gandhi
I found this quote as I searched the title of this year's annual juried exhibit
Diversity: Windows of the World. These words very much fit into the little book I have been working, My Heart is Touched.
We are excited to feature SSAC member & artist Antonio Lampreia of Alliston.
Q. As an artist Antonio what is the medium you use? Do you ever combine mediums? Describe how or why you might do so.
I paint in acrylics mainly, plus watercolour and I have some experience with oils. I tend to use one medium on the painting I am working on. Writing is also an art so yes I might combine some prose or poetry of local writer Michelle Dinnick on some of my pieces.
Q. When did you become an artist? Have you found it easy to say,"I am an artist"?
Expressing myself through painting and other art forms is just me. Yes I am pleased to call myself an artist.
Q. Do you have a mentor or some special influence that has contributed to your growth in your artistic creativity? How has this or someone particular influenced you? If this is a person are they also an artist?
The South Simcoe Arts Council has been shining a spotlight on up and coming writers of all ages, in all genres through its Creative Works Writing Contest for six years.
We are excited to share the winners writings with you over the next few months.
Please enjoy this instalment of our Creative Works Youth Writing Contest winners series featuring Youth Poetry Winner - Brooke Bowers
This award is sponsored by Premier Contractors Ltd
The dynamic crew who steer the South Simcoe Arts Council have bobbed and weaved through the continuing "out-of-left-field" covid-19 health protocol maze of the last year and a half and managed to find new and wonderful ways for regional artists to connect with their communities.When the volunteer committee at SSAC first set up ARTS ON MAIN 17 years ago, "Pandemic Appropriate" was most likely not on the list of must-haves! And yet here we are in 2021 with 31 artworks by 19 artists on display in 26 local business storefronts of Tottenham, Beeton and Alliston until October 5.
Today's feature artist is Barbara Large, who has been a SSAC member since 2018. She presently lives in Alliston, Ontario.
Q. As an artist what is the medium you use? Do you ever combine mediums? Describe how or why you might do so.
Answer: The medium that I use is watercolour, although, I am both familiar with and have used oil and acrylic paints. I have combined mediums, but do not make it my practice unless I want to create mixed media works.
Q. When did you become an artist? Have you found this easy to say, "I am an artist"?
The South Simcoe Arts Council has been shining a spotlight on up and coming writers of all ages, in all genres through its Creative Works Writing Contest for six years.
We are excited to share the winners writings with you over the next few months.
Please enjoy this instalment of our Creative Works Youth Writing Contest winners series featuring Intermediate Short Story 3rd Place Winner - Karissa-May Gadsby
This award is sponsored by Diane & Gary Bowers
Adopted
by Karissa-May Gadsby
We love this behind the scenes peek at a very unique artistic couple. A potter and photographer share their artistic journey and inspiration with us. This is Behind the Scenes with Jim Craigmyle and Kirstin Bindseil.
The South Simcoe Arts Council has been shining a spotlight on up and coming writers of all ages, in all genres through its Creative Works Writing Contest for six years.
We are excited to share the winners writings with you over the next few months.
Please enjoy this instalment of our Creative Works Youth Writing Contest winners series featuring Intermediate Short Story 2nd Place Winner - Lael Hughes
This award is sponsored by Diane & Gary Bowers
Life Out of the Shoebox
by Lael Hughes
We hope to inspire you, our readers, in furthering your own interest in the arts by presenting talented artists living in our community to you.
Today our feature artist is SSAC Member & Potter, Jackie Warmelink of Mulmur, Ontario.
Q. As an artist what is the medium you use? Do you ever combine mediums? Describe how or why you might do so.
Answer: I use Stoneware clay fired at 2200 degrees for functional pieces and Raku Clay low fired at 1700 degrees for decorative/ sculptural pieces. I have placed pieces of glass (from beer bottles!) on some of my stoneware pieces – the glass melts at the same temperature as the glaze and flows over the bottom of a dish creating a shiny pool which crazes on cooling and gives an interesting highlight to a matte glaze.
Q. When did you become an artist? Have you found this easy to say, "I am an artist"?...
Back in June SSAC member, Denis Bolohan, was busy creating his art of outdoor labyrinths in celebration of the Bicentennial of the Town of Innisfil. We thought we'd share this great insight into why he is drawn to this artform and how he approached this exciting project
By Denis Bolohan
I have been creating sculptures, installations and site-specific land works for over 30 years. Much of my work has been ephemeral in nature—snow sculptures, fire sculptures, crop and grass labyrinths that are allowed to grow out and return to the landscape. I grew up and still live in a rural community: the land and our natural surroundings are never far from my thoughts and are major influences in both my daily life and my artwork.