by Stephen Dafoe
Morinville – With spring colours about to break through in local gardens, the Morinville Art Club and Morinville Youth Art Club are holding a joint event to show their spring colours. The Artists Garden event takes place May 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre. Admission is free.
The spring tea and art show is an opportunity to view and purchase art as well as learn more about joining the two art clubs. The event will include a number of draws, including one adult and one art supply basket, one youth fall session and one youth winter session, and an adult art club membership. Those interested in entering the draws must attend the event.
Looking for artists
Morinville Art Club President Dolly Bolen said although some art will be on sale, the event is really more of an art show, showcasing what the two clubs have to show in terms of what they have created and what they can offer to artists and those interested in becoming artists.
“Most of us have quite a bit of experience … but we do have newcomers the members can give advice to,” Bolen said of the welcoming nature of the club. “For those that have always wanted to do art but never did any, they can bring the supplies they are interested in bringing and we will help them learn.” Bolen went on to say club members also critique each other’s work to offer suggestions in a positive way. Because art is a personal thing, artists are free to accept or reject the advice of fellow members.
There are currently 10 members in the adult art club and approximately 16 in the youth club. “We’re looking to build that [adult art] club,” Bolen said, adding there has been a recent drop in membership due to some artists moving away from the community.
Bolen said members work in a variety of mediums and that instructors come in to teach technique during winter meetings, while members simply bring in and work on their art during the spring meetings. Sessions run September to November and January to April. Annual membership runs from the fall of 2014 until the end of April 2015 and costs $25 for adults. Membership allows artists to show at any of the club’s art shows, currently held in the spring and during the Celebrating Life and Culture Gala held in the fall. Bolen said the club will also be doing a Christmas Art Show this year. “We had some people approach us for art for Christmas gifts,” Bolen said. “We never really thought a Christmas show would be a good thing. We are listening to what people want.”
Zentagle, a meditative art form
Though the May 3 event has lots of opportunities to look and listen, there is also an opportunity for some hands-on experience as well. The art club will be holding a Zentangle workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. instructed by Kathleen Henderson from Canmore and Marlee Ritchie from Saskatoon.
“Zentangle is a meditative artform that’s done with archival ink markers and traditionally on three-and-a-half inch by three-and-a-half-inch print making tile paper,” Bollen explained of the art form (shown left), adding cost of the six-hour course, including lunch and all materials, is $50 for adults and $30 for youth aged 6 to 17. Bolen said sponsorship from the art club and Sobeys has allowed them to reduce the price from the normal $90 in honour of National Youth Arts Week. “It’s very accesible to everyone and the process is basically drawing patterns. My goal was to get people introduced to this art form because it is so fascinating and it’s so good for all ages – everyone – seniors, young people, people that have work stress. It’s just really good for taking your mind off something.” Those interested in taking the class can call Bolen at 780-572-2603.
Organizers are hoping to see lots of people at both the art show and workshop. “If you’ve always wanted to do art or you want to see what’s out there – come,” Bolen said, adding names, emails and phone numbers will be collected for notification of club start up.
