Art for Everyone

Last weekend, as part of the ‘Small Town Big’ event in Scugog, I led a photography challenge for visitors and residents alike. I met some great people, many of whom are spending this week photographing both our town and rural area.

Best of all, the event runs until May 7th, which means you can still enter. Simply take a photo of anything in Scugog and send it to info@scugogarts.ca. Selected photos will be posted on the Scugog Arts website for the world to see.

Scugog Township can be very proud to be home to numerous talented and emerging artists. There are dozens of studios and numerous businesses, all dedicated to the creative talents of many of the residents of our community.

You may have noticed a hubbub of art activity this week, as the annual studio tour was once again held in person. The nerve centre of the art community is the Scugog Arts Gallery, located at 175B Queen Street (in the laneway beside Cycle World).

This amazing location is home to the talents of several artists in many different genres. Resident artists have their work on display, for all to see. Guest artists, such as jeweller Cheryl Fulcher, woodturner Neil Olerenshaw and painter Jeremy LePage, will have their craft in the gallery for the entire month of May.

Of course, another gallery not to be missed is the Kent Farndale Gallery in the library, on Water Street. Every month a new, featured artist will display their talents through their creative media. This month, artist Ray McNeice and photographer James Wilkes are showing their exhibition: ‘China: Through the Lens and the Brush.’ In this exhibition, you will have an opportunity to explore China through acrylic and watercolour paintings and become immersed in the nature and culture worlds away.

There are over eighty members listed with Scugog Arts, and each one is unique in both talent and craft. Whether you are interested in pottery or wall art, photography or wood products, as a gift or to beautify your own home, the art community of Scugog has something for everyone’s pallet. You can check out the website, at scugogarts.ca.

Jonathan van Bilsen is a television host, award-winning photographer, published author, columnist and keynote speaker. Watch his show, ‘Jonathan van Bilsen’s photosNtravel’, on RogersTV, the Standard Website or YouTube.

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