In the News

New gallery puts local artists in the spotlight
By Lianne Lahaie
Appeared in the July 18th, 2007 edition of the EMC

Artists are gifted with the ability to manifest thought into reality and Studio 63 will be putting that reality on display for all to view and enjoy.

The art gallery, which is owned and operated by Kirk Rasmussen and Greg McParlan, celebrated its grand opening on Wednesday, July 11 and judging from the number of people in attendance, the gallery is certainly a welcome addition to downtown heritage Perth.

Located at 60 Foster Street, the gallery is currently featuring works by Anishinabe (Ojibway) stone sculptor Paul Bruneau; painter Fred Fowler; realist artist Craig Campbell and painter and stained glass artist Janice Ling.

Bruneau, who has a studio and gallery in Ferguson’s Falls, is a self-taught sculptor and has been creating his beautiful real, spiritual and abstract pieces for six years now. Stone is his favoured medium and he uses a variety of it, including serpentine, marble, slate, pipe stone, soapstone, to create his intricate carvings. Various types of antler, ivory and wood are also brought into play.

For more information about Bruneau and his art work, please visit http://www.paulbruneau.ca.

Fowler uses different mediums such as oil, acrylic and watercolour to produce a wide variety of subject matter.

One of his most intriguing art styles is the monotype, which is a technique of producing a singular oil, oil-based ink or watercolour print onto paper or canvas from a smooth surface such as a glass plate, wood surface, Plexiglas or cardboard. All of this is done without using a conventional paintbrush.

The results are exciting, featuring endless designs and textures, which allow Fowler to explore unlimited avenues of expression.

A painter and stained glass artist, Ling is recognized for creating glass art for an award-winning home near Casa Loma in Toronto and other buildings, her style and designs are eclectic and are completed totally freehand.

Her paintings capture the life-likeness of people, wildlife and display the whimsical moments of life in the country.

Campbell is a Canadian realistic artist who has gained international recognition for his portrayals of the Ontario scene.

His nostalgic interpretations of railroads, general stores and rural Canadiana allow the viewer to experience the lifestyles of yesteryear.

Campbell has been a professional member of the visual arts community since 1971 and has resided in the Perth area for more than 20 years.

A recipient of 22 international merits, including the Toronto Archives Award and the Ottawa Silver Cup, Campbell’s paintings are included in the collections of many corporate and private patrons of the arts.

“I am so pleased with the way (the grand opening) went,” Rasmussen told the EMC during an interview last Thursday morning. “It was a great success…lots of people came through to see the art and express interest in it. I think this is going to be a very positive thing for Perth.”

A sculptor, painter and photographer himself, Rasmussen understands how important it is for established and emerging artists to have a supportive, creative space in which to put their work on display.

“I know what the artists are going through because I’ve been there myself as an artist,” he commented. “I understand the challenges and frustrations artists can face and our goal with this gallery is not only to give artists a place to put their work on display, but to support them and give them tools to market themselves as well.”

When asked what brought him to Perth, Rasmussen said he spent a lot of time at the family cottage just outside Perth as a youngster. Having lived in Ottawa for a number of years, he and his wife decided they wanted to live in a smaller, rural community and Perth was the town they chose.

“I love small towns and (my wife and I) really love Perth,” he remarked.
Rasmussen’s original plan was to rent some space in the beautifully-renovated Old Perth Shoe Factory on Sherbrooke Street. He said he wanted to create studio space for artists in an effort to support their creative endeavours.

However, that idea was put on hold (only temporarily, though) when he met McParlan and the two men decided to become partners and open an art gallery.

“We started talking and thought the best thing to do would be to open a gallery first,” he explained. “I think this is a good place to start and then our other ideas can evolve from this.”

Rasmussen’s vision for the space at the Old Perth Shoe Factory is to create a unique space in which artists can create and discuss their work with one another and members of the public.

In addition to providing studio space to artists, he said, the space will also be a “place of learning”, where workshops and classes are offered.

“I see it being a space where a collective of artists is renting space and doing something unique and wonderful,” Rasmussen said. “Right now, this project is on the backburner, but it’s going to happen…it’s something we’re very interested in doing once and gallery takes off.”

Rasmussen said Perth is “the perfect place” to open an art gallery, since it is part of Lanark County, which has the highest number of artists per capita, second to Montreal.
“Lanark County has an amazing number of artists creating some really great art,” he stated. “Because of that we (Greg and I) want to give them a place to show their work in a gallery setting. Our goal is to also help artists promote themselves and their work…promotion is something that is very important and valuable to an artist.”

In an effort to help promote the artists who showcase their work in Studio 63, Rasmussen said the gallery will soon have a website that features an online store, where artists will be invited to post images of their work that can then be turned into t-shirts, posters, prints art cards and whatever else the customer might want.

“Let’s face it, not everyone can afford an original piece of work,” Rasmussen commented. “With the online store, people can still have a piece of the artists’’ work, even if they can’t afford an original piece. This (online store) is also a great way for artists to get exposure…it will help get their art out there, beyond the gallery.”

Rasmussen said the work currently being displayed in the gallery will stay until early fall and then a new group of artists will have an opportunity to put their creations on display.
“We are interested in fine art and no matter what, we’ll always have two and three dimensional art on display here,” Rasmussen explained. “We’ll be doing solo shows for artists and rotating exhibits on a regular basis.”

Rasmussen said he and McParlan are “open to meeting anyone” and artists looking to display their work in the gallery should bring their portfolios and “have a chat” with the gallery owners.

“The best thing for us is working with artists who are excited about their own work,” he remarked. “When an artist is excited, we get excited and it makes supporting and promoting them that much easier. We’re looking for dynamic, enthusiastic artists..we have a pretty good mix of art in display here and that the way we want to keep it.”

For more information about Studio 63 or the artists exhibiting their works at the gallery, don’t hesitate to stop in.

In the News

Local artists to take part in prestigious art show
By Lianne Lahaie
Appeared in July in the EMC

Perth and the surrounding area is a haven for the artistic and creative and this summer, three local artists are taking their creations on the road to give people in the Muskoka area a taste of Lanark County’s creative spirit.

Potters Ali Ross and Glenn Gangnier, of Gangnier-Ross Pottery and Anishinabe (Ojibway) stone sculptor Paul M. Bruneau will attending the Muskoka Arts and Crafts 46th annual Summer Show, which is set to take place July 20, 21 and 22 at Annie Williams Memorial Park in Bracebridge, Ont.

The show is one of the oldest and largest outdoor art shows around. It features more than 200 outstanding artists from across Canada and attracts more than 20,000 visitors each year.

The event is hosted and organized by Muskoka Arts and Crafts, an avtive organization of more than 350 creative thinkers and doers. Members work in all types of media and range from full-time professionals to people who are just embarking on their creative odyssey.
Muskoka Arts and Crafts does three art and craft shows annually and operates the Chapel Gallery, a year-round gallery that hosts exhibitions of art and crafts by members and other local and provincial artists. Exhibitions are selected by the gallery committee and change every three to four weeks.

Throughout the year, members host a variety of workshops that inspire and encourage people to explore their own creativity. The workshops are fun and educational and include drawing, painting and printmaking, to name a few.

The two potters recently hosted what Gangnier said was a “very successful” spring open house, show and sale at their studio, which is located at 1155 Brooke Valley Road.

“It was great…very relaxing and low-key,” Gangnier commented. “We had around 70 people come through and I’d say around 97 per cent purchased something, which is great. It really have a chance to make a deeper connection with our customers, which is something we love to do.”

Bruneau, whose gallery and studio is located at 139 Jerome Street in the hamlet of Ferguson’s Falls, told the EMC he is looking forward to the show, especially since it’s his first year attending.

While summer tends to be a time of relaxation for many, it certainly hasn’t been for Bruneau so far.

In early June, he travelled to the Mattagami First Nations Reserve, near Timmins, Ont., where he hails from originally, to participate in a career day and share his art with young Native people.

Bruneau said the experience was interesting and it was “nice to go back home for a visit”.

Following the Muskoka Arts and Crafts Summer Show, he will begin preparing for his upcoming carving demonstration at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. He is set to appear at the museum on Aug. 7 and 8.

For more information about the Muskoka Arts and Crafts Summer Show, please visit http://www.muskokaartsandcrafts.com.

Something fresh and new

You may have noticed that Paul’s blog has changed – not only does it have a new look, it’s also being hosted by a new blogging site. We decided to try something a little different in an effort to freshen things up for fall. There’s no better reason to start changing things up than a change of season!

Paul is spending countless hours in his studio, creating new and interesting pieces ranging from beautiful abstract sculptures to handsome little inuksuks. He is gearing up for the Ottawa Signatures Show, which will take place from Nov. 6 to 11 at the Ottawa Congress Centre. Plan to attend this amazing show – you won’t be disappointed!

As mentioned in previous posts, Paul is settling in to his new studio in Navan quite nicely. It’s taken a bit of adjustment – it’s aways hard to get used to new surroundings – but Paul is faring quite well in his new location.

He just recently had a phone line installed, which means you can now call him on his landline at the studio if you have any comments or questions regarding his work or how to purchase pieces.

We’re already talking about the possibility of building a gallery at the new studio, a project we’re both really excited about!

All in all, things are progressing well. Paul is getting lots of good work done and his creativity energy is strong and flowing. He is in a positive space, which is allowing him to explore uncharted creative territory. Very exciting indeed!

Well, that’s about all for now.

Until next time…