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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-06-29, Page 19BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, JUNE 29/30, 2005, PAGE 19 Festival Gallery celebrates 30 years of art icon. It is. prestigious to have work hung here and be seen by thousands of people.” "Being involved with the gallery has been a wonderful experience for everyone. It has been a growing experience for us as individuals and for the community. It has brought a new aspect of culture to Huron County which should be celebrated, nurtured and enhanced.” All the work undertaken by the gallery committee is strictly on a voluntary basis. veteran of Canadian art. Her “magical” work is distinguished by an abundance of pattern, playful use of perspective, touches of surreal humour and consummate painterly technique. Leonard Jubenville — Recent Work from Aug. 12 - Sept. 3 displays richly coloured gestural landscape oil paintings in an exciting new series, the “Great Lakes Suite.” Spirit of the Narrows — Photographs by William Henry includes a stunning series of black Artists from past shows will display newest work for anniversary Blyth Festival Art Gallery will mark its 30th anniversary this summer by inviting 250 artists whose work has been seen in the gallery over the years to take part in a group show Celebration 30, from June 27 to July 16. The show will feature small format pieces in many media that offer intimate glimpses of a stunning array of artistic talent who have exhibited si-nce 1975. Included is everything from a hand-pulled litho by Robert Bateman to a watercolour by Christopher Wallis. There will be etchings and screen prints, photography and fabric pieces, wood carving and painting on a bracket fungus. Things have come a long way for the Blyth Festival Art Gallery. Back in that first season, the art was displayed on makeshift panels in the basement of Memorial Hall, which also served as a lobby for the theatre upstairs. Today the Bainton Gallery provides the largest public art gallery space in the county. The story of the gallery began with a simple knock on the appropriate door: that of Blyth- area artists Ron and Bev Walker. Back in 1975 the Blyth Festival had barely been formed when festival founding artistic director James Roy approached the Walkers one spring day. “He just knocked on our door and said. ‘You want to start a gallery?’ ” Ron Walker recalled years later. Based on that request, the first exhibit was prepared for showing in the basement of Memorial Hall in 1975. The Walkers remembered that first show, which displayed local artists as well as the works of Toronto friends. “We sent someone into the street with a bottle of wine, offering drinks, to get people to come inside,” they laughed. The gallery eventually moved to the former Stewart’s grocery store, in the building where the theatre administration is now housed, then to the loading dock area of the theatre, now the Blyth Library. “We did it all by the seat of our pants,” said Ron. “It was a lot of fun when we were in Stewart’s store,” added Bev. “The theatre had the box office at the back of the building so people had to walk through the gallery to purchase their tickets.” The concept of pairing the gallery and the box office was carried over when the gallery relocated to the loading dock in an effort to maximize visibility for the exhibits. It wasn’t until 1990 that the gallery moved to its permanent home in the newly-constructed connecting link between the administration offices and Memorial Hall. It was rededicated as The Bainton Gallery the following year. Still today a visit to the gallery is made simple since it is right beside the Memorial Hall box office. By 1977, the gallery committee was bringing in extension shows through the auspices of The Art Gallery of Ontario. Workshops were hosted and secondary and elementary school art displays were featured. In 1979, the committee was able to organize workshops themselves, held a juried show and brought in exquisite quilts created by local women. The co-founders are also proud of the aboriginal artists’ exhibits which have been shown at the gallery over the years. Many of those shown 20 years ago, such as Leland Bell and Carl Bean, have gone on to impressive careers. During the 1980s, the gallery opened its doors to community displays and the first photographic show was held. Betty Battye of Blyth also became involved with the gallery during these years. She was the driving force behind the huge elementary art show which was held in 1983. Throughout its entire history, the gallery has worked under the umbrella of the Blyth Centre for the Arts, the parent of the Blyth Festival. The gallery maintains the same mandate as the theatre by providing an opportunity for Canadian artists whether established or just beginning. “We encourage the visual arts, but specifically for area artists,” said Ron. “The gallery is a cultural As well as Celebration 30, the 30th anniversary will include Whimsical Disorder, from July 19 to Aug. 10. Featuring watercolour works of Ontario artist June Selzmc Drutz, the exhibit includes large scale watercolours by a great and white photographs phronicling Anne Lederman’s investigative journey into the heart of Manitoba Metis fiddle music. The show, Sept. 6 - 10 provides a great “visual” companion to the smash stage production. ellngersi ■ Tourists Welcome ■uslc ALL INSTRUMENTS, Repairs, Lessons, Recording Studio, Cool place... Ph: 291-5566 208 Main St.W. 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