Trafalgar Building Culture Days events in Globe & Mail

there are so many events in Guelph this weekend and lots going on in the Trafalgar Building, so if you get a chance make sure to look up the details on CultureDays.ca

Culture Days is coming!

The Print Factory at the Trafalgar Building

123 Woolwich St. Guelph

Come join the artists (Gillian Wilson, Pam Lobb, Lydia Nieuwenkamp and Tammy Ratcliff) at the Print Factory
for printmaking demonstrations in relief, screen, intaglio and lithography during the Culture Days weekend at the
Trafalgar Building.Try some printmaking yourself - make a bookmark or print a t-shirt!
Space and materials are limited. Bring your own t-shirt.

Date(s) & Time(s) of hands on printing and demonstrations
Saturday, October 1, 2011 — 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday, October 1, 2011 — 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday, October 2, 2011 — 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

And if you are not interested in printing but would like to check out some of the
work that we make with printmaking, the studio will be open
Friday September 30th  5 -9pm (with refreshments)
Saturday October 1st  10am-5pm
Sunday October 2nd  11am-4pm

Location
123 Woolwich St
Guelph, Ontario
View Map of this Activity
Directions
The Trafalgar Building is just north of the River Run and Sleeman Centre in downtown Guelph. Come to the third floor.

Spark Box Studios

Just home after a refreshing and inspiring two week residency in Prince Edward County at Spark Box Studios.  The studio and residency are run by artists, Chrissy Poitras and Kyle Topping in a beautiful setting just outside of Picton, Ontario.  
I had many plans and ideas on what I wanted to accomplish before I went but was so inspired by the natural beauty that surrounded me in the many different trees on the residency property that I did not actually get to work on any grapevines or orchard works while I was there.  There were numerous trips to a few of the lovely vineyards and orchards in the county and I did take lots of photos and sketched a bit, but those works will have to come later.  The majority of the work that I did while I was there was inspired by all the little bits of wonderful that I found just walking around the property enjoying the views and all the fresh air and sunshine.  Kyle and Chrissy were very welcoming hosts and most helpful with getting me set up and started in the studio.  While I was there I spent some time with fellow printmaker and resident Josh Dannin, a very talented and interesting individual from Philadelphia.
It has been a few years since I had a chance to get away on my own to focus on artwork and I am so glad I did.  The time away allowed me the space to clear my head and to be open and inspired by my surroundings.  Can't wait to get back into my studio and start work on some new projects.

studio

studio books

my cutie room

Josh printing

sunny kitchen dining room

Kyle, Chrissy, Josh and Rico (in front)

At breakfast my first day I realized that everyone had their own laptop computer.  I expressed to my young friend, Grace Black, that I was feeling a bit left out (even though I was offered use of the computers) and she kindly let me use her laptop which she had made for herself this Summer.  As you

can see in the photo below,  Grace's computer is a fantastic one of a kind creation and I was so happy to have had use of it for my visit.  Even though Josh called it 'Canadian facebook' I think it was the envy of everyone there.

 

I will probably post more images and write a bit more about my stay later, but here are a few shots of the views around Chrissy and Kyle's home.

covet garden online magazine

 

I am really enjoying this online magazine.  Lots of lovely 

real homes of some talented creative people in Toronto.

  Covet garden

The August issue features the home of fellow

printmaker, Tara Cooper and her partner

Terry O'Neil.  Nice to see some inspiring homes,

especially when filled with art and so many personal touches.

GUH and Microcosmos tonight!

In Guelph this weekend the Jazz Festival is in full swing all over the downtown.

Tonight I am especially excited about because it is the Jazz Festival's nuit blanche

starting at 7pm and running until 7am tomorrow morning.  There are so many

wonderful things to see and hear and do that I cannot list them all but have 

added the link to the schedule.  Tonight at 12:30am, GUH will be playing

at the Bookshelf cinema music inspired by the film 'Microcosmos'.  The 

award winning magical film will be playing during the show.  Love this 

film and love GUH, a wonderful pairing.

George Walker at the Button Factory

a visit to the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre

Yesterday, Pam and I went up to the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre to drop off work for the Framed auction.  The gallery was getting ready for the kick off of the Guelph Jazz Festival but had a moment to ooh and ah over the work that has been coming in for the auction.  The work I had submitted is a new piece that I have not yet shown and is titled, 'falling roses'.  I will post more details about the auction as it gets a bit closer, it is in November.

While we were there, we popped into the Art Sales and Rental gallery and checked out the fresh new look and took a few photos.  This is a photo of one of my mixed media works on canvas (mainly etching) and on the red wall, a work by my husband, Chris Ahlers.

Before heading out, director Judith Nasby took us in to a new installation to see an absolutely beautiful new collaborative piece by Jessica Steinhauser and Ryan Price.  Jessica is a local potter who has been making ceramic ovens and stoves for a few years now in addition to her wonderful pots.  Ryan Price is a local artist (printmaker!) who created the image on the furnace, drawing directly on the clay tiles. I think the combination of talents works well in this project.
Such an elegant furnace/ artwork!