Clinton News Record, 2016-02-03, Page 1010 News Record • Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Conservation Dinner Committee announces Jim
Dawe of Murals in Metal as 2016 feature artist
Special to the Clinton News Record
The Conservation Dinner Com-
mittee has chosen the 2016 fea-
ture artist and, for the first time,
the selected artist works in the
medium of metal. "We are very
excited to announce that Jim
Dawe, of Murals in Metal north of
Lucan, is the feature artist for the
27th Conservation Dinner," said
Paul Anstett, Chairman of the
Dinner Committee. "Jim is a very
talented local artist in the
medium of metal."
Jim uses a mix of inspiration,
craftsmanship, and technology to
create his pieces. Computer pro-
grams can help turn inspiration
into reality but Jim has been
drawing by hand for years and he
still uses pen and paper in the
creation of many of his designs.
The tools of his trade include
computer illustration programs,
laser beams for cutting, hammer
on anvil, and machines to cut
sheet metal. His themes range
from sports to horses to birds. His
work includes laser -cut sheet
metal pieces, woodwork, and
water -founded stone.
The former sheet -metal worker
has been creating beautiful cus-
tom metal sculptures full-time for
the past 11 years. He has prac-
ticed his craft the past three years
at the corner of McGillivray Drive
and Highway 4, in the Township
of Lucan Biddulph. The craftsman
is the twentieth feature artist cho-
sen in the history of the success-
ful event in support of commu-
nity conservation projects in
Ausable and Bayfield River water-
sheds. "We are honoured that Jim
has agreed to be the feature artist
for our 2016 Conservation Din-
ner," said Anstett. "He joins a
select list of talented and gener-
ous artists who have been fea-
tured over the 27 -year history of
this gala charitable dinner and
auction."
Jim Dawe worked as a sheet -
metal worker before branching
into the field of custom metal art.
He and his wife Lynn started
Murals in Metal in a small shed at
their Seaforth home and it has
grown by leaps and bounds since
then. The hobby has become a
bustling enterprise. "We ship
world-wide and we supply stores
in every province of Canada," Jim
said. The firm started with local
roots but it has since grown into a
supplier of detailed metal pieces
that people purchase at dozens of
national stores and that Murals in
Metal ships across the country, to
Yukon and Newfoundland and
beyond, even to international
destinations. There are two sales
teams that are growing the Murals
in Metal company but the success
of the enterprise has its founda-
tion in family. Jim and Lynn work
at the business along with their
son Cory and sons-in-law Jordan
Skinner and Mike Jack. "It's great
that my family is interested in
making this dream reality," Jim
said.
The talented craftsman says
"we don't classify ourselves as
artists" but he has been drawing
almost all of his life and still
hand -draws designs for metal
work. "I'm definitely very hon-
oured to be the feature artist," Jim
said. "It's great to look at all the
talented artists that you have cho-
sen in the past?'
Past honorees named as Con-
servation Dinner feature artist
include: James Eddington (Culi-
nary Feature Artist, 2015); Tammy
Laye (2014; 1990-1995); Made-
leine Roske (2013); Martin Zim-
mer (2012); Catherine Weber
(2011); Fran Roelands (2010); Bill
Nieuwland (2009); David Bannis-
ter (2008); the late Tim Clark
(2007 and 1997); Teresa Marie
(2006); Rae Ann Ladouceur
(2005); Elisabeth Tonner-Keats
(2004); Randy Jones (2003); Fred
Negrijn (2002); Ken Jackson
(2001); Kent Wilkens (2000);
Barry Richman (1999); Flora
Doerr (1998); and Peter Etril
(1996).
The last auction and dinner
event broke all records, having
raised more than $60,000 in net
proceeds for local community
projects such as accessible trails
and parks and outdoor recreation
and nature education programs.
The Conservation Dinner has
raised more than $985,000 in its
27 -year history for projects by
and for the community. The char-
itable event is set to break the $1
million mark in 2016. "It would be
great to be there when you reach
that milestone and be part of that
along with everyone else," Jim
said.
This dinner and auction was
started in 1990 and the Exeter
Lions Club joined as co-partner
in 1991. The net profits are split
50-50 between conservation pro-
jects of the Foundation and con-
servation projects of the Exeter
Lions Club.
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H: 519-482-3443 • www.clintonnewsrecord.com
TMEDIA
Submitted Photo
It's a family -inspired business at Murals in Metal north of Lucan. Shown in photo
from left are: Cory Dawe, Lynn Dawe, Jim Dawe, and Jordan Skinner. Missing
from photo is Mike Jack. Jim works in metal and he is the feature artist at the
Conservation Dinner, a gala charitable auction fundraiser of the Ausable Bayfield
Conservation Foundation and the Exeter Lions Club. Jim joins a select list of
artists who have been chosen by the committee as feature artist.
The Conservation Dinner is to
take place on Thursday, April 14,
2016 at South Huron Recreation
Centre in Exeter. Tickets are $65
each. Patrons receive a charitable
gift receipt, for income tax pur-
poses, for a portion of that
amount. To purchase a ticket or to
donate to the 2016 Conservation
Dinner, phone 519-235-2610 or
toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email
info@abca.on.ca. For information
visit abca.on.ca or conserva-
tiondinner.com.
The popular fundraiser sup-
ports accessible trails; commu-
nity parks; conservation areas;
outdoor nature education for
children and youth; commemo-
rative woods to remember loved
ones and improve forest condi-
tions; recreation through fish
stocking and a family -friendly
fishing derby for the young and
the young at heart; and more.
The annual charitable gala fea-
tures live and silent auctions of
art and other distinctive items
including travel packages and
sports and entertainment mem-
orabilia. The event also includes
a special raffle and general raf-
fle. Wine tasting, appetizers,
silent auction viewing and fel-
lowship begin at 5:30 p.m. The
dinner begins at 7 p.m.
Planting roots
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