Two of Chemainus’s most accomplished artists and muralists will be the featured artists to inaugurate ArtBeat on June 22.
The organizers of ArtBeat, the new Friday evening arts and entertainment experience in Chemainus, announced this week that Cim MacDonald and Connie Greig-Manning, will be on hand June 22 to greet people, display their paintings and demonstrate their techniques.
“When speaking about the arts in Chemainus, we would be remiss not to honour our world-famous murals,” said Peggy Grigor, artist co-ordinator for ArtBeat. “So we are thrilled that two of Chemainus’s resident mural artists will be on hand to help us launch our newest art event.”
ArtBeat is a collaboration of Chemainus businesses and the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society to create a recurring art walk and street party in Chemainus.
The event runs every Friday evening from 5-9 p.m. from June 22 to Aug. 31 and features high-calibre artists, creative demonstrations and a sparkling lineup of entertainment. Shops and eateries will stay open late to join the festivities.
Grieg-Manning is a painter, illustrator and web designer. She works in oil, textiles, mixed media and more.
In 1992, Grieg-Manning painted mural 31, The Lumber Barons, which was designated the town’s official 10th anniversary mural.
Grieg-Manning did restoration work on the mural in 2006 and 2011.
MacDonald is an award-winning painter and photographer. MacDonald is the curator of the Chemainus Murals and also painted three of them — 32, The Telephone Company; 38, Passing the Torch and No. 2 in the Emily Carr Series, First Nation Villages.
“As an artist, I support ArtBeat’s concept of a recurring arts event that is both fun and engaging for local families and visitors alike,” said MacDonald.
Originally the brainchild of Willow Street Café owner Phil Mavis, who was inspired by a similar event in Hawaii, ArtBeat has garnered the support of many groups, including individual volunteers, local business owners, the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society and the Chemainus BIA.
Artists from the Malahat to Nanaimo and the Gulf Islands are invited to download ArtBeat’s Call for Artists at www.cvcas.com or contact Peggy Grigor at peggy@thepotterystore.ca.
Musician and performers who are interested in busking at ArtBeat can contact Kathy Wachs at kathywachs2@gmail.com.
— Submitted