The Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio will hold its annual Art Garden Show this weekend, and for the first time, exhibit the talents of seven local artists all at once instead of individually.
The garden show will run from July 15-17 and can be viewed during the studio hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an opening reception on Friday, July 15, between 5-8 p.m. DJ All Good will perform on Sunday, July 17, between 1-4 p.m.
Joel Prévost, studio owner and event organizer, said he set out to find a diverse range of unique artwork to feature in the show.
“I was looking for artists who would complement a variety of art, and the idea was to work with people which were fun and well-accomplished artists…” he said. “All their work is very exceptional and very unique.”
Throughout the weekend, Prévost’s own work, as well as the work of Linda McDonald, Sheila Bergin, Denise Tierney, Dee Fontans, Joe Lyons, Lindsay Ford will be on display.
Prévost said McDonald will have organic ceramics of teapots and mugs, in “branches and trees” designs; Bergin will have large, approximately two-to-five-foot high “whimsical” sculptures made with textile materials and metal; Tierney will showcase an array of oil portrait paintings; Fontans will feature garden ornaments and jewelry of mostly silver and copper work; Lyons will bring ceramics with a “more graphical quality” and eye-catching designs; and Ford, as a children’s book illustrator and painter, will bring her 10 published books as well as children’s-oriented animal paintings.
Prévost himself will launch approximately 30 pieces within three new lines of serving trays as well as a new generation of dog and cat sculptures. Altogether, he said there will be “a couple hundred” pieces of everyone’s work.
“The first year, we were opening the garden every weekend for two months. And we did that for the first two years because we could not do an exhibit inside as a result of [COVID-19] restrictions. This is the first year [holding the garden show] without any restrictions – which is why Denise is also a part of the show, because we can also have work inside,” he said.
Looking to the future, Prévost would like to continue hosting annual garden shows to help showcase the diverse talents in the area, and will likely stick to the format of a single weekend event with numerous artists.
More information on the Vancouver Island Scuplting Studio can be found at www.vancouverislandsculptingstudio.com.
READ MORE: Nanaimo sculptor to unveil series of dog busts in backyard art exhibition
mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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