Tag Archives: Cortes Arts

The Thursday Afternoon Art Collective brings ‘Between Heaven and Earth’ to the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery

The Thursday Afternoon Art Collective will be coming to the walls of the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery at 6 PM on Friday June 9. The talents of Lisa Gibbons, Madhurima Braaten, Dayna Davis, Caz Ratcliffe, Denise Drury, Jane Newman, Karen McDiarmid and Darshan Stevens are on display in ‘Between Heaven and Earth.’ The exhibition closes on Sunday June 18. 

“I’ve been doing art classes in the studio for the last maybe 10 years,  mixed media art classes for different members of the community, children and adults,” explained Lisa Gibbons.

“A core group of really dedicated people just kept coming and emerged as this vital core group that we have right now. We were meeting just before the pandemic, but it was still in the form of a class. Then we had to take this break and, for me personally, I also had to take a break for health reasons. The studio was dormant. We were all  in our own creative spaces at home.  Gratefully, I was able to come back to the studio late last fall,  maybe November, and this core group of women really wanted to continue coming back as well.  We just naturally morphed into a collaborative group because everybody’s got so much experience now. So we left behind that old model that we were doing before, it’s just really beautiful how it’s blossomed, and we’re doing things together.” 

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The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery’s 2023 Exhibition Line-up

The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery is looking forward to what may be their best season in years. 

“There’s a post COVID enthusiasm which was first evidenced by the submissions that we had that have resulted in  seven shows. There’s no hesitation about Covid rules, or what we should or shouldn’t do.  We’ve been a nonprofit for a year and a bit, and the new manager has had a year behind her.  Things feel more settled, and more focused on the magic of the shows than the behind the scenes business that the boards have to handle in any organization in a big time of change,” explained Oriane Lee Johnston (OLJ). 

“One thing that Islanders can look forward to is a full season, starting from the 9th of June.”  

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Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery open to 2023 proposals from local artists

By Louis Belcourt, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery on Cortes is now open for proposals for the 2023 season. The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery hosts local Cortes Island artists in a series of shows each year and are encouraging new artists to apply. No prior experience presenting your work in necessary to propose a show.

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Pottery studio opening encouraging to local artists

CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Potterer Mary Clare Preston held a successful collaborative open house and sale at her Foxglove Pottery studio in Mansons Landing, BC.

She welcomed the public over two Saturdays (Dec. 10th and 17th) to appreciate and purchase the work on display, including that of two guest artists — stone carver Donna Naven and fine woodworker Hannu Huuskonen.

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The things that keep Cortes Island Museum going

“I feel that the museum should reflect the community.  It helps to strengthen our identity and strengthen our sense of not only ourselves,  but what we can do for one another,” said Melanie Boyle, Managing Director of the Cortes Island Museum and Archives.

One of the  mottos of the museum is ‘Reflect, Celebrate, Imagine.’  

Boyle explained, “I’d like to think of it as reflect on the past, imagine the future and celebrate what we have today.”

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