“Art is the only way to run away without leaving home,” dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp famously said.
Ladysmith Arts invites you to run away through art on April 12 and 13 with the return of the Ladysmith and Chemainus Spring Art Escape.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, attendees can go on a self-guided tour and explore the unique artistic charm of the two neighbouring communities. Studios and galleries will be open to the public, offering a rare opportunity to see where art gets created as well as displayed.
This year marks the 13th season of the Art Escape, with highlights including oil landscapes by Pat Alison, intricate works by Joanie Winnitoy and coastal paintings by Michael Dean.
The Ladysmith Gallery will be exhibiting a show titled Natural Elements and the gallery boutique will showcase jewelry artists like Gail Pasalluko and Pat Montgomery as well as oil artist Tylor McNeil.
Music enthusiasts will love Bruce Whittington’s handmade guitars. One of his guitars won Best in Show at the 2022 Fine Crafts Show in Ladysmith and he loves to chat with people about guitar making.
Karen Dance creates pottery that is uniquely handcrafted and incorporates playfulness and humour. She enjoys having visitors in her studio and loves the interactions events like the Spring Art Escape provide.
“I feel that conversation leads to art relationships that might not happen if work is just purchased in a gallery setting,” she said. “I also like the direct feedback. People are curious and like to poke around the studio to see how the magic happens.”
Dance will have pieces that range from tiny mice to fun monsters, character bowls, canvas tote bags, a few giclée prints and a selection of mugs. Giclée prints are high-quality inkjet reproductions of artwork on fine art paper or canvas.
For the thrifty art shopper, Dance teased, “There are also a few pieces that are not character-based that might find their way to a price-reduced table.”
Visitors can also witness the creative process firsthand. Art demos will be happening at the print studio on South Davis Road as well as the nearby art studio of Thomas Hutchings.
Frieda Schilling’s garden pottery and Esther Robinson’s abstract representations of varied themes should be on your visit list.
Along Chemainus Road, visitors can stop by Russell Davison Pottery and purchase hand-turned wooden bowls from Steen Hjort.
Drop by the Saltair Community Centre to meet up with the Chemainus Art Group, which will be showing work from 25 artists. Chemainus Art Group member Brenda Bell said she and two other coordinators have been preparing for the Spring Art Escape for nearly three months, while members have been creating work throughout the year.
“Our member artists are engaged in their creative pursuits all year long and the show becomes a celebration of this year's art journey,” she said.
In addition to two-dimensional framed art and displays they have had for the event in the past, they will be including some three-dimensional works this year. Many of the artists will have original art greeting cards for sale which are always popular. The group works year-round out of Studio 16 at the Saltair Community Centre but will expand into the auditorium this year to accommodate work from their members.
“We will once again include member artists doing live art demos on-site during the two days of the show,” said Bell.
In Old Town Chemainus, Connemara Studio and Trembling Aspen Pottery await, along with downtown favourites like Rainforest Arts and Lorna Ball’s glass creations, located just past the Best Western Hotel on Chemainus Road.
“We invite everyone to engage directly with the artists, learn about their craft and perhaps find the perfect piece to add to their collection or a thoughtful gift for a friend,” said Kathy Holmes of Ladysmith Arts.
For more information and to view the tour map visit the Ladysmith Arts website.
