Last Sunday July 11 the GAPACC artists were demonstrating :

Abbey Allen in paintings, Helen Jones in wood carving, Nancy Stevens in people drawing, Felicity Redgrave in animal drawing, Bruce Campbell in canvas painting, Larche artists in papermaking, Michel de Noncourt in sculpture, Greg Melchin and his brother in a drumming workshop and Ann Comozzi in silk painting.

This is the first time ever that GAPACC artists have been formally invited to participate actively at an Highland Games cultural event. The invitation was brought to GAPACC by Ann Marie MacKenzie Secretary of the Games.

Thank you to the artists who took time to not only be present but to engage in demonstrating and asking participation from the visitors.

Art reaching the community at the ground level as our GAPACC mandate.

Thank you specially to Tila Kellman who coordinated this GAPACC  Exhibition Committee event. Let’s all be back next year !

GAPACC and the Gathering of the Arts are pleased to present a number of workshops for people of all ages!

Riding with the Romans: Classical Sculpture

Wednesday, July 7^th, 1.00pm, St. James United Church

In this session Fenn Martin will be leading a presentation on how to sculpt figures in clay. In this participatory group project, we will create an action packed adventure scene, and mount it for display. Time to dig in, get your hands dirty and create your favourite heroes in clay! All clay and tools provided.  All ages welcome!

The Art of Calligraphy: Japanese-style Ink-Brush Painting

Saturday, July 10^th, 1.30pm, St. James United Church

Local artist and professional designer Ruth Young will provide an introduction to Japanese-style ink-brush painting. Come learn and participate in this introduction to an ancient and sophisticated art form! Materials provided on site. Ages 8 and up.

Groove Workshop: Hand drumming

Sunday, July 11^th, 1.00pm, Columbus Field

Professional drummer Brendan Melchin will introduce concepts of rhythm and “groove” to young people while developing basic hand drum technique. No prior musical experience is necessary, and hand drums will be provided at the workshop.

The Camera Eye: Photography

Wednesday, July 14^th, 10.00am, St. James United Church

Cara Jones of Intuitive Eye Productions (www.carajones.ca) will host a workshop on techniques of artistic photography. Get an introduction to the techniques used by professional photographers! Don’t forget to bring a camera!

Landscapes/Streetscapes: Watercolour

Wednesday, July 14^th, 2.00pm, St. James United Church

Local artist Felicity Redgrave will help participants develop their watercolour technique. Participants are encouraged to bring a photograph of their choice for painting. Watercolour supplies provided.

For all workshops, pre-registration is not necessary – just show up before the event! There is a $5 registration fee for all workshops. For more information, call 867-2172 or e-mail Greg Melchin at gmelchin@stfx.ca

I want to take this occasion to invite all GAPACC members to attend the Annual General Meeting happening Tuesday evening June 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the St FX Art Gallery. On this occasion the Board will be looking to rename our organization to more accurately reflect our mandate in the area. We are also looking at acquiring Charitable Status in order to facilitate our fund raising and there will be a discussion on a proposal for a new  strategic plan.

Please become a GAPACC member by signing up a membership form at www.gapacc.ns.ca and be a part of a new cultural revival in our community.

Michel de Noncourt

GAPACC Chair

Bette & Wallet Minstrels Extraordinaire

Joy Hanley’s community is rallying together once again to provide the support both spiritually and financially that she needs while waiting in hospital in Halifax for a liver transplant. Bette & Wallet will perform a fundraising concert May 30th at 2pm at the Georgeville Church, Antigonish County.

Joy hails from Cape Breton Nova Scotia, and has been an active professional in the business community for most of her adult life. Until her illness intervened, Joy was also the Director for the StFX Co-op Program and helped to raise awareness about the program both inside and outside the academic world.

Joy suffers from “Primary Biliary Cirrhosis”, a chronic disease, that causes the bile ducts in the liver to become inflamed and damaged and ultimately, disappear. She was diagnosed 17 years ago and because of a healthy lifestyle has been able to lead a productive life — but “TIME IS UP”! Her liver is shutting down and she needs a liver transplant and is currently waiting on the “transplant list”. “More than 4,000 Canadians are waiting for an organ transplant to save their lives. Last year, only 1,803 transplants were performed. Many patients remain on waiting lists. Unfortunately, 195 Canadians died while waiting for an organ transplant”. http://www.transplant.ca/pubinfo_orgtiss.htm

All proceeds from this concert will go to the Joy Hanley Trust.

Visit bette-wallet.com for more info…

Nick and Tila goof off at the Easting Bread & Honey.

The enthusiastic crowds were spilling out on to the sidewalks in front of The Tall & Small Café and Easting Bread & Honey Bakery on Main Street on the evening of May 3, buzzing about the exhibitions by Reuben Irons, John Levangie,  and Ron Hines at the T & S, and Nicholas Johnson at the Bakery.

John Levangie with friendly face.

Reuben showed heavy metal in forged iron sculpture, counterbalanced by John’s graceful, even sensuous designs in welded iron rods.  Nick Johnson, at the Bakery, lit up the  space with colourful interpretations of Antigonish’s own power station at the corner of Hwy 7 and the TCH.

See More Images from this event in the Photo Gallery…

Ruben Irons in his shop

GAPACC Members Open Exhibit on Main Street, Antigonish.

Main Street,  Antigonish will be met with a torrent of new art works on Monday May the 3^rd with simultaneous openings at 5pm at the The Tall and Small Cafe as well as The Easting Bread and Honey Co.  GAPACC (Guysborough, Antigonish, Pictou Arts and Culture Council) proudly presents two local metal artists and two painters for the month of May.

The show includes John Levangie of Heatherton, known for his graceful lines within ornate rod iron arbors and Ruban Irons of Salt Springs, Pictou County, famous for his forged steel foliage and custom railings. Together they will transform the Tall and Small Cafe with their latest two dimentional metal sculptures.  The work of Levangie`s and Irons` will be intermingled by Lochaber oil painter Ron E. Hines, who focuses on vibrant colors and architecture, one particularly example is the St. Patrick’s Church in Lochaber.

"Trailer court on the #7" Example of Johnson's work

Nicholas William Johnson of Ohio Valley, a self described surrealist romantic will exhibit in the Easting Bakery with a work he promises to be “an extremely large surprise“.

The exhibition will be up until the end of May.    Everyone is invited to attend the opening on Monday May the 3^rd at 5pm for some complimentary snacks and refreshments provided at the Tall and Small.

Upcoming April  workshops with the Polson’s, This dynamic pair will share some of their talent with our  community youth with 2 separate workshops. Danny with a small group will explore digital media, ideal for youth interested in creating animation. Heather will be working from a costume world creating a pair of Fairy wings with participants. Click read more to find out all the particulars.

“Introduction into Digital Art and Design”

Dates: Workshop_01, Saturday, April 17th 2010    Time: 1pm to 3:30pm
Workshop_02, Saturday April 24th 2010      Time: 1pm to 3:30pm

Three participants maximum, ages 12 and up.
Cost: $20 each workshop

Location: Antigonish Education Centre

Danny Polson will be introducing the methods of taking a 2D drawing of an object and turning it into a 3D computer generated Image (CGI)
This is a two part Workshop. In the first session he will go over the preparation methods involved in turning your 2D drawing into a 3D model.

The second session will involve one on one time to create the 3D model / Rendering of your image.

Items needed from participants:
Sketch book or a few favorite drawings
Pencil with an Eraser, or a Pen
For further information or if you have any other questions please email Danny Polson at polsondesignstudio@gmail.com

“Fairy Wings”

Four participants maximum, ages 7 and up. Students must be able to use a Hot Glue gun, or have an adult on hand for extra help.
Cost: $15

Location: Antigonish Education Centre

Date: Saturday April 24^th, 2010       Time:1pm to 3:30pm

Heather Polson will be holding a workshop on Costume/Prop Design. In this session students will be creating Fairy Wings, using fake flowers, wire tubing, Foam Board and a hot glue gun. All supplies to be provided. Students are asked to bring their imagination, and a smile!!
Heather is looking forward to meeting all of her new Fairy Friends!!

For further information or if you have any other questions please email Heather Polson at hpolsoncreative@gmail.com

Friday evening January 29th and Saturday the 30th at Bethany Center in Antigonish a workshop will be led by local artists, Anne Camozzi, Anna Syperek, and Nancy Turniawan. The workshop goal is to share experiences on how creativity nourishes inner space while experimenting with different art forms. No previous experience required for this playful way to release hidden potential in the heart of winter.

Cost: All inclusive: $100; commuter $40

Pre-register by January 22

For more information and to register:

Phone 863-4726 or email: bethaycenter@themarthas.com

November 14th A busy day for Workshops.

click me to see more images

A glorious Saturday brought the clay and the artists outside to make pots, at Nancy Turniawan’s home. Six children and two parents were inspired by the clay and the beautiful surroundings. The morning’s work produced original coil, pinch and slab built pots as well as some Christmas presents. At the end of the workshop, one young artist greeted her father by saying, “Come see what mum made!”

click to see more images

Simultaneously, in town instructor Rhianna Smith was busy making masks with the children at the legion. Click on the image to see more images from that workshop.

click me to see more images from this event.

GAPACC hosts the pre- Christmas Parade show

On Saturday Nov 28th families are invited to visit and participate in a snowflake and origami making workshop between 10-2 at the John Paul Center. There will be several tables of little snowflake makers each hosted by a  GAPACC snow elf to assist with the process.  All materials will be provided.  There will be Live music and face painting provided by local childrens entertainer Sunshine Sue.  So please join us anytime between 10-2pm for a relaxed afternoon of snowflake making! 

Special thanks to the John Paul center and GAPACC Exhibitions committee for their gracious support.