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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-10-24, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019. Couple plans renovations for new Blyth art gallery Cindy McKenna and Hans Veenvliet have started the process of moving their Southampton art studio, Wild Goose Studio Canada, to Blyth’s main street. The couple recently closed the sale and took possession of the former home of Sharon’s Cars in Miniature on the east side of Queen Street. Veenvliet is a woodworker who crafts everything from furniture to memorial pieces. He started out as a stonemason and a contractor but left most of that work behind and started focusing on woodworking. He really got his start in woodworking as an art form when a friend asked him to turn a family member’s violin into a memorial piece. Veenvliet has since repeated that process multiple times with other instruments, deconstructing the body and reforming it into something unique. He also works with live-edge wood in both furniture and artistic design. McKenna is primarily a painter, having dedicated most of her life to the craft. She is also a stick weaver, and has had pieces featured at the Fashion Arts and Creative Textiles (FACTS) space in Blyth. The couple, who have been married three years, were planning on expanding their home gallery space in Southampton until one of Veenvliet’s pieces was shown in the community show at the Community Show at the Blyth Festival Art Gallery earlier this year. When visiting Blyth for the show, the couple visited Pick a Posie, local designer Jennifer Triemstra- Johnston’s store, when it was temporary located in the building on the east side of the street. “I fell in love with her business and the space,” McKenna said. “Jennifer explained that the store was for sale, and we were so excited because the building resonated with us. “We had no plans to move, but we were so impressed.” The two had planned on expanding their space at home, which was, between the workshop, gallery and living space, about 1,000 square feet, making for a tight space. The building they bought will let them expand their living space and have dedicated workspaces for their artistic endeavours, making it very appealing. McKenna said that Triemstra- Johnston was one of the key factors in the couple moving to Blyth, saying she was an inspiration for the two. Veenvliet agreed, saying that, if it weren’t for Triemstra-Johnston, the couple might not have noticed the opportunity in front of them. After a short visit to the community, Veenvliet said he was impressed with the Festival, the artistic offerings of the community and the restaurants, saying he enjoyed visiting the Blyth Inn and Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company. McKenna also said that the main- street Cowbell sign, “Dreams are bigger in Blyth” was an inspiration for the couple as the space seemed By Denny Scott The Citizen 1-888-357-4301 • WWW.COMFORTCENTRE.COM HEATING • COOLING • ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING DUCT WORK • INDOOR AIR QUALITY REFRIGERATION • FIREPLACES warm air • cool air • clean air GET UP TO $1,600 IN REBATES* Offer expires November 22, 2019 *On a qualifying system purchase. Lennox system rebate offers range from $275 to $1,600. Some restrictions apply. One offer available per qualifying purchase. See your local Lennox Dealer or www.lennox.com for details. ©2018 Lennox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers are independently owned and operated businesses. with purchase of a Lennox home comfort system DALE PUMP & FARM SERVICE LTD. Water Pumps ~ Water Conditioners Water Installations ~ Backhoe Service Full Line Hydraulic Hose and Fittings LICENSED PLUMBER & GAS TECHNICIAN For all your water needs Phone 519-482-3274 269 Ontario Street, (Hwy. 8 East), Clinton, Ont. N0M 1H0 Setting down roots Hans Veenvliet, left, and his wife Cindy McKenna recently moved to Blyth’s main street after falling in love with a mixed-use storefront/residential property during a visit to the community. Veenvliet had a piece in a local art show, which prompted the visit where the two fell in love with the community and its culture. After taking possession of their new home and future art gallery, Veenvliet started gutting the commercial space to make a workshop for his woodworking, a painting space for McKenna and a gallery to show off their work, like their first jointly completed pieced ‘Jonah’, shown above. (Denny Scott photo) Continued on page 23 Celebrating over 50 years in Business 71 ALBERT STREET, CLINTON 519-482-9505 FINE FURNITURE & FLOOR COVERINGS Open Mon. to Fri. 9:00 am - 5:30 pm, Saturdays closing at 4:00 pm More than just a furniture store Books to inspire you See these and other books at... 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 The Citizen