We are delighted to join the new Kingsville Times to bring readers up to date on associated activities with this Society, and to welcome its readers to join us when health authorities allow.

In the meantime please visit our website: www.artssocietyofkingsville.ca to meet some of the artist members and read about the organization. We have 80 members on the roster and often 35-40 people attend our monthly meetings.

Consider visiting our new Facebook page called Art for Art’s Sake and posting some of your artwork if you like. Membership not required!

What we know about artist members during the pandemic times:

Many of our members have commented on how they have savoured the uninterrupted periods of time to devote to their passion for art during lockdown. The following describes the innovation and devotion to the arts reflected by some of our members.

Elaine Van Loo with help from her husband, Layne, has produced a YouTube video demonstrating step by step lessons to recreate her beautiful picture called “Painted Ladies Out for Lunch.” You can key in The Kingfisher Studio on YouTube to learn more.

Denise Antaya is participating in a six-person art exhibition celebrating “Realism and Drawing” in a London, Ontario art gallery. Westland Gallery is located at 156 Wortley Road at Bruce. It runs till July 18, 2020.

Also of note, Denise was a finalist on “Landscape Artist of the Year Canada,” set to air again this fall on CBC. Contestant artists had to create a finished piece of work on location in four hours for a number of sessions and different sites.

Ed Roach, co-owner and chief artist of Sissy and Roché, an art gallery located beside Movati Athletic, is enjoying the return of more students to his classes in water colour techniques. Ed and his wife Rose Marie offer a great selection of paintings and gifts. Be sure to watch him demonstrate his painting in the shop’s front window!

Ann Ducharme is also participating right now in an art show at the recently reopened Gibson Gallery, Amherstburg. Ann has thrived during the lockdown with creative productivity, completing several beautiful pieces in her unique pointillistic/realistic style.

Pavlo Lopata’s exhibition of his outstanding works of art at a gallery in Mississauga has been postponed till a safe time.

Brianne Taggart recently received the Outstanding Achievement Award for her volunteer work with Community Living Essex County. She gives painting lessons with students connected to this organization.

Sally LePla earnestly prepares drawing lessons for her “Zoom classroom” with increasing numbers of new students. She is diligently planning step-by-step skills to help budding artists apply techniques for developing perspective and three-dimensionality in drawing.

“Paint Ontario” is a spectacular art show held annually at the Lambton Heritage Museum in Grand Bend. Specially selected artwork depicting different aspects of our province is on display by these local ASK artists: Layne and Elaine Van Loo, Denise Antaya, Vera Graham, Frank De Block, Ron Vermeiren and Kinga Chowdhry.

When an official opening date is announced you’ll be able to find it at www.lambtonmuseums.ca

We regret that Chiaroscuro, the gallery and art supply store owned and run by ASK member Sarah Trudell, has closed. We trust Sarah’s love of art will find a new outlet for her enthusiasm and creativity.

ASK Meetings:

* For amateur artists, interested or supportive parties, professionals and everything in between

* Meet  at the Unico Community Centre, 7 – 9 p.m. the last Thursday of each month (normal times)

* Enjoy a different “Artist of the Month” each month

* View “Show and Share” from members who wish to share their work or ask about challenges

* Raise money for the “Joan Cotte Endowment Fund.” Joan Cotte is remembered and honoured for her love of art and her determination to promote art and artists in our community.  At different art shows, fellow members donate paintings for silent auctions to raise funds for an annual award given to a secondary school student who shows exceptional artistic talent to honour Joan’s spirit and positive attitude.

VISIBILITY in the Community:

* Kingsville Highland Games

* Follow your H’Art (portion of sales goes to the Heart & Stroke Foundation)

* Kingsville Culture Days

* Kingsville Folk Music Festival

* Road to Folkfest concerts at the Grovedale Arts & Culture Centre with live painting accompanying performances

* Kingsville Tall Ships Festival

* Vendors in Sip ’n Shop and Migration Festival

* Carnegie Arts and Visitor Centre, and galleries outside our area

* Provided water colour classes at the Arena

* Children’s art classes at the Kingsville Arena

* Donated several “photo op” scenes for the Kingsville Tall Ships Festival

* Displays at a Victorian Tea

and presently,

* Online instructional classes

The Future

Plans have been initiated by Layne and Elaine Van Loo  to organize a “Plein Air” painting event under the Migration Festival umbrella, called The Great Migration Paint-OUT. More details to follow.