PHOTOPOLIS EXHIBIT
“Seeing the Eye Through Different Worlds” is about seeing things you might not notice on your everyday walk through the park, city, burb or wherever. Perhaps you’re in some kind of other world and catching different rays of information that would not come on a regular day, or maybe you’re on another plane of existence in the same world (which is cleverly disguised as a different world). What is real?
Many of the photos included in this exhibit created abstract images by focusing on a particular aspect of the actual subject. Others choose fairly representational images of objects and scenes which most people would walk by and ignore. Others took us to places that were not familiar to the average person, some of them beautiful some of them disturbing.
A few artists of note in this show are as follows.
In “Another day at the Office”, Gavin Quinn takes us to a world that few have ever seen, a stark world of contrasting black and white, a world that can only be seen once you have hit rock bottom, and see the darkness that is the underpinning of our society, our culture.
In “Out There” and “Golden Ocean” by Chris Jackson, fluid tones of gold and bronze flow like water through the images, evoking the mysteries of what may lie beneath.
In “Halifax Ice Cave” by Carolyn Taylor, deep blue lines dribble and drip down the wall of some unknown cavern where few have ever ventured. In “Aerial View” she takes the same colors and patterns and abstracts them by obscuring the source of the image.
Many other images from emerging and noted artists are included in the show. New works will be rotated on the gallery walls on a daily basis. This exhibit will also be part of the Nocturne show on Saturday.
Spirit Speak newsletter
EVENTS
Exhibitions May 3-26 Blush from a Brush: VSG Paintings by Dean Morton May 9-13 Romancing Paths of the Universe: artwork by Justina Dollard and Carolyn Taylor at the Hidden Gallery, Birmingham St, Halifax May 31-June 23 Rise and Shine: VSG Guest exhibit by TEAMWORK/The Work Bridge curated by CSE member Janet Thomas-Kendall June 28-July 14 Solitude Not Solace: VSG Paintings by Brenda Delorenzo July 1 Canada Day Boardwalk Sale at Alderney Landing, Dartmouth July 5-16 Outside/Inside: a selection of works by artists of Creative Spirit East curated by Jon David Welland, Eyelevel Gallery, 2159 Gottingen Street. A reception was held on July 9, 2-4 p NEWS ITEMS 2011Nova Scotia Skills Competition Congratulations to CSE member Susan Smith whose painting of a PEI shoreline placed second in the Disability Services competitions. Her painting was on display at Argyle Fine Art Gallery, Halifax, in late June.
VSG Artists-in-residence February-June: Brenda Delorenzo
May-August: Kimberley Csihas
July-October: Sue Smith
September-December: Noelle Hingley
Project Curators Jon David Welland
VSG blog; Magic Pen writers group; Outside/Inside curator
Teresa Kilbride
Lost Kittens; VSG Facebook page; funding initiatives
Laura Legere
External venues
Carolyn Taylor
PPG Feature Artist curator; Photopolis curator
Justina Dollard
Our Thyme curator; PPG Facebook page; button-making workshop
Chris Jackson Feature Items Visit to Bridgeway Academy
On June 24th a small group of CSE members travelled to Bridgeway Academy in Dartmouth to spread the word about the activities of CSE and the Veith Street Gallery.
Bev Lewis, Sue Smith and Sam Wood accompanied Michael Seary, Gerard McNeil and Mike McCarty as they shared with the approx 100 students of Bridgeway the story of our collective and the opportunities and benefits membership provides for artists with disabilities.
Art activities were explored in ‘hands-on’ sessions with the students who met with the CSE artists in three groups of about 30 each: grade school (up to gr. 6), junior high (7-9) and high school (10-12).
Gerard led the students in exploring drawing themes using a technique for intuitive art-making called the ‘exquisite corpse’. In this Surrealist method, drawings are made in separate pieces that have a common thread or related themes which, once completed are brought together to make a single work.
Mike coordinated an ‘action painting’ experience as inspired by the works of Jackson Pollack. Each of the three groups created a large canvas covered with drips and splashes of acrylic colour.
The drawings and paintings were left with Bridgeway Academy as evidence of our visit and hopefully encouragement to the students to remember that art comes in many packages, just like each of us.
CSE and VSGSA have been invited for return visits to Bridgeway on an annual basis.
Reviews of the recent exhibitions in the Seary Gallery by Teresa Kilbride and Jon David Welland
Dean Morton’s Blush from a Brush
Teresa described her impressions of the opening of Dean’s exhibition on May 3rd: A beautiful robin on a branch being stroked by a brush was our first entry into the art world of Dean Morton. We had an opportunity to see wonderful mixes of mood and expression from the many delightful creatures and figures that filled the walls of the Seary Gallery. They were playful, comical, noble, sweet, fierce, thoughtful, and beautiful—57 works in all, speaking to us in their own unique ways. Jon tells us that Dean, a resident of Dartmouth who was born in Halifax and has lived in Newfoundland, has done art his entire life. His body of work encompasses drawing, painting, video, animation and cartooning. Some of Dean’s cartoons have been published in local papers. His training has included courses, learning techniques through trial and error and experience at VSG. In Dean’s own words “Art is something you never complete. There is always something new to learn and perfect. ‘Practice, practice, practice’ as the old saying goes, especially in the world of art. Art is a big part of my life. It is who I am. I have had a variety of jobs but art has become my vocation. It’s in the blood. This is the first arts group I have belonged to, and I find that joining a group where people have things in common is very rewarding. As you can see, my subjects and styles are different, but I think most artists are the same as well.” To Teresa a blush made from a brush was the central theme of the exhibition. It told us much about how Dean makes art. He applies a gentle hand and the energy around his deliberate and skilled work draws the viewer into delight. His animal subjects have a slightly human expression which suggests that Dean is there somewhere. Jon has come to see Dean as an animal lover who walks dogs for a living, and this quality shines out through his work. Some people have the ability to see the spirit that dwells within all living things. Animals have feelings and have distinct personalities, and are more like us than many people would care to admit. Teresa was fortunate to occupy a space next door to Dean during his artist’s residency at VSG. He was a steadfast, hard-working artist who welcomed visitors to his studio. As his walls filled up, the studio became a small gallery in itself. Teresa on the Guest show: Rise and Shine
On the evening of the opening reception for Rise & Shine, the works in the Seary Gallery were full of life, evoking thoughts and feelings about Spring time, gardens, growth of new life, beauty, and the natural world. There were photographs, paintings, mixed media pieces, and sculpture. The works were created by a collection of talented artists who are members of TEAM Work Cooperative / The Workbridge, a non-profit organization that assists people with disabilities in becoming employed. Veith Street Gallery has a long history of partnership with this organization, which made this a very special event. Several of the artists belong to both groups, and there was excitement throughout this project, which was the second show hosted by VSG for artists members of TWC/WB. CSE and TWC/WB member Janet Thomas-Kendell curated Rise & Shine. Janet is an upbeat and yet also well-grounded person. She did a wonderful job, and we are lucky to have her as an active member at VSG. The unique work in the exhibit reflected the unique individuals who took part in this special event. Included in the group were Marlene Brown, Nancy Blair, Leslie Ferguson, Tina Flindall, Ken Wilt, Chris Jackson, Rose Kreutz, Helen Morrison, Jodie Richardson, Taggart Romkey, Jacqueline Smith, Doug Murphy and other TWC/WB artists. Congratulations to all those who made Rise & Shine such a joyful exhibition. Let’s look forward to doing it again next year. Jon’s review of Brenda Delorenzo’s Solitude not Solace
Brenda Delorenzo’s exhibit was a collection of works from her residency here at the gallery. By nature a quiet person, her work uses bold, expressive brush strokes and vibrant, earthy colors . She finds inspiration and beauty in the people she sees everyday on the street, on the bus or in the park. She captures the spirit of these people in a glance and then evokes it in artwork that is completely her own. This is Brenda’s story, told in her own words: “I paint to survive, to connect, to make sense of the world. I had strange foundations, and still have a very wobbly house! My beginnings were not great, but they helped shape me into an artist with curiosity, imagination, humour and guts. I worked with little children at a day care in my early adulthood. My work history is brief. Over bleak periods of my life I never stopped drawing or painting. I went to NSCAD as a mature student in 1988, but I didn’t finish the degree. I am happy to say I am still here and making art. I also write poetry, read a lot, swim and dance.”
Calendar, July-September )
Pedway Picture Gallery: Feature Artists Veith Street Gallery July 19-August 4 Dancing on a Sea of Colour: Exhibition of work by Michael Seary July 29 Gallery of Horrors photo shoot coordinated by Chris Jackson. This all-day event will explore themes of film noir horror. The photographs will be shown at the VSG Halloween party on October 31. August 9-25 Exhibition of work by Patsy Wallace August 30- September 29 Exhibition of works by AiR Kimberley Csihas Tuesdays, 2-3 pm VSG Magic Pen writers’ group with Jon Welland Wednesdays, 1-3 pm VSG art classes with Bev Lewis July Jean Archer’s hooked rugs August Laura Legere September Dean Morton
Halifax Waterfront August 13 CSE artists group shoot for Photopolis images
Exhibition Locations Veith Street Gallery (VSG) Pedway Picture Gallery (PPG) is located in Alderney Landing, Dartmouth, on the pedway between the ferry terminal and the public library. It is open Thursday-Saturday, 11am-4pm, and features a rotating exhibition of CSE members’ work. Additional rotating exhibits can be seen at four other venues: TEAMWORK/ The Work Bridge Suite M-278 boardroom, The Village at Bayers Road, Halifax Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority, 5940 South Street, Halifax Nova Scotia Disabled Persons Commission, Suite 104, 277 Pleasant Street, Dartmouth MetroWorks, 7071 Bayers Road, Halifax MetroWorks, Lakeside Community Centre Our Thyme Café Portland St. Dartmouth
Ways to get involved The Kindred Spirits program provides volunteers and contributors with advance notices, discounts and other privileges. Become a Kindred Spirit through a donation of $20 or more. VSGSA is a registered charity which issues tax receipts for donations. Supporters can help the artists in a number of ways by providing transportation for our artists; donating art supplies at the VSG site, including used picture frames; or helping out at one of the galleries. We encourage interested persons to contact Veith Street Gallery : (902) 446-6010, If you are on Facebook, visit Veith Street Gallery and Pedway Picture Gallery. Our Blog is ???? Comments/ suggestions to editor, Judith Fingard, c/o of VSG
Everyone is invited to join Kimberley Csihas at the opening of her show, “The Weight of a Woman“
Tueday, August 30 between 4 and 7 pm.
Kimberley will also host an ‘artist talk’ on Wednesday, Sept 14 at 3 pm.
This is a notice to all photographers, and those who have in interest in it.
There is going to be a photography show at the Veith Street Gallery (VSG) during the month of October, as a part of the Photopolis city-wide celebration of photography taking place throughout Halifax.
Our show is titled “Seeing the Eye Through Different Worlds”. The idea behind the show is taking pictures of things that are unusual, or unrecognizable at first, or some kind of strange view of an object. It may be altered through different computer programs, or put together as a photo-collage, or any ideas are welcome.
We are looking for 15 photographers to exhibit eight (8) photos each (two per week for four weeks). This number is not “cast in stone” so if you have fewer images that will be okay.
Please contact me ASAP if you are interested ( carolyntaylor20@gmail.com ) or contact the VSG at 446-6010 or by replying to this email.
You do not have to be an experienced photographer, or own your own camera, there are some you can borrow from the VSG.
All printing will be done by the gallery, so there will be no cost to members.
If you know anyone who might be interested but does not have email it would be appreciated if you could let them know about this.
Carolyn Tayler
Photopolis Project Curator
This August, the Pedway Picture Gallery’s Feature artist will be Laura Legere with her show “August Whales”. The show will run from Thurs, Aug. 4 to Sat, Aug. 27. There will be a reception on Sat. Aug. 13 with sea related snacks.
Halloween in July
Halloween came early this Friday as CSE photographer Chris Jackson invaded the gallery along with his sundry vampires, monsters and ghouls. It was for a horror themed photography exhibit to be hung on Halloween as a part of the citywide Photopolis event. Ape like monsters chased hapless victims up the back staircase, evil doctors applied shock therapy to their unwilling subjects and dead bodies jumped out of body bags. It was a lot of gruesome fun for everyone involved.
OUTSIDE/ INSIDE
Outside Inside, an exhibition of 126 art works by 19 members of Creative Spirit East is showing at the Eyelevel Gallery from July 2nd to 14th. Eyelevel is a well known public gallery, and VSG was invited to create an exhibit solely representing the works of CSE members. The theme of outsider art was chosen. This is a category of art that has become highly valued in the artistic community.
Excerpts from the words of Jon David Welland, CSE member and Project Curator for this event:
Outsider art, also known as ‘art brut’ was a term invented by 20th century modern artists. The scope of the term, which once described artists with a broad range of disabilities, now describes artists who have mental heath problems (paraphrased). Unfortunately, the term… would serve to stigmatize the artists…as the public has become more informed about mental illness, the term has become more inclusive and understanding.
We have brought the arts ‘in from the outside’, at a public gallery.
Veith Street Gallery is devoted to artists with disabilities, and mental illness is now seen as a disability. I hope that this exhibit will help establish their work as serious artistic practice, both in the eyes of the community and in the eyes of the artists themselves.
This is a powerful and well put together group show. The opening reception on July 9th was a crowded and lively event. The wide variety of styles, subject matter, and mediums created an impressive display, and the event is sure to help to spread the good word about VSG.
