After several weeks of gallery tours from New York and Nova Scotia to Montreal and Ottawa, I have concluded that our little LAG, Ladysmith Art Gallery, stands out in its ability to create an artful feast for the eyes and soul.
Not only is the LAG about displaying local, upcoming and established artists, but it also has a role in educating and teaching. With a small volunteer staff, we are indeed making the grade.
We are a little arts council that serves it up with gusto. A special and heartfelt thanks to all those that make this art community thrive and stand out in the delivery of our mandate.
As we shift into the summer weeks, the LAG will focus on serving up a big plate of art-on-the-go for all your artful needs: whether you are traveling through and want to engage with local arts or a local artist wanting to get involved, things are happening.
If learning is on your wish list, this summer, there are many courses available to heighten your artful pleasure. On Saturday, July 13, explore photography with artist Sean Sherstone. It is a full day workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and you must have digital camera, laptop and fully-charged batteries.
Watercolour is a perfect way to express your sense of our West Coast pleasure. On Wednesdays in July and August, consider registering for full-day workshops with our gallery maven Gail Ralphs. Workshops will be held July 24, July 31, Aug. 21 and Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On either Sunday, July 14 or Sunday, July 28, you can try your hand at Reduction Lino Printmaking with LAG studio artist Ann Jones. It is a full-day workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is designed to bring exploration and fun to beginners and up. Please see our website to register.
If pottery has always been a desire, enjoy the one-day course with Darlene Plaxton on Friday, Aug. 16. On Saturday, Aug. 17, you can register for an acrylics course with abstract and landscape artist Dennis Brown.
And for the children, artist Aisha Aslop ignites the imaginations of all youth. Her classes are 1.5 hours, and they give both parents and children time to recharge. Start dates are Monday, July 22 or Monday, Aug. 19. Please go to the LAG website to register.
An annual extravaganza, Arts on the Avenue on Sunday, Aug. 25 showcases local artists on the main street in downtown Ladysmith. The streets will be alive with music, gourmet food and the creative endeavours of our best artists. You can purchase or just stroll and engage with your favourites.
All in all, we may be small, but we are a lively community that embraces the arts. Go forth and enjoy!