L to R: Tall Ship Festival Billboard designer Ann Ducharme, a student volunteer, Layne van Loo (upper face with outstretched arms), his wife Elaine van Loo (lower face), Catherine Johnson (brown-haired girl) and Paylin Pretli (balloon girl)

The Arts Society of Kingsville is still ALIVE throughout the pandemic. The purpose of ASK is to promote artists and artisans in Kingsville through exhibitions, art advocacy and education.

It’s for artists and art supporters. Some of the members are pros and some are emerging pros!

Under the art tent at a past Kingsville Folk Music Festival with Sally LePla

The benefits of being a member with this organization during the pandemic at our monthly ZOOM meetings are:

* You meet and stay in touch with other local artists
* You show and share your latest piece(s) of artwork
* You inspire one other by your stories and sharing
* You find out about art events that are coming up, how to join them, and learn of online sites
* You learn how and where local artists/artisans are being promoted — Art shows changing every 2 weeks at Sissy and Roche Fine Arts, Kingsville Times, the ASK Facebook page, virtually at the Kingsville Public Library, Artforartsakes FB, etc.)
* You are kept informed about town events locally and beyond where artwork can be displayed and sold
* You cheer each others’ accomplishments

Catherine Johnson painting steering wheel for the last Kingsville Tall Ships Festival

We all miss one another, but there still is creative LIFE even though we can’t have interactive meetings. It’s still possible to connect with each other. One of those ways to stay connected is through Zoom

Feel uncomfortable about using Zoom on a device such as a phone, iPad, or a computer? Give it a try, and you may be surprised at how simple it is to be a member at the monthly ASK meeting on the last Thursday in each month.

First you’ll need to download the free app called Zoom. You will receive an email that gives you the day and time prior to the meeting(usually a week ahead).

Five minutes before the meeting’s start time, you’ll click on the underlined site given in the email. And then …

You’re on! You can take part in the virtual meetings which will deliver all those benefits which we’ve listed above. Minutes of the meetings are sent to membership afterwards in case you can’t attend zoom meeting.

ASK display at the last Kingsville Tall Ships Festival

It’s been a tough year for everyone thanks to COVID-19. And we are all in this together.

Please think about  joining  the Arts Society of Kingsville. Perhaps you might also consider becoming a patron. When people participate in either of these ways — or both! — they are helping to support their local artists and artisans.

An ASK membership fee is $25.00.

Application forms can be found on the ASK website.

Memberships are also available at Sissy & Roché Fine Arts, at 313 Main Street East in the East Kingsville Plaza beside Movati Athletic.

Be sure to visit Sissy & Roché Fine Arts to see Ed’s beautiful watercolours. They also have a special area for a display of work by ASK members.

Husband and wife Elaine and Layne van Loo painting beside the art tent at a past Kingsville Folk Music Festival

Our membership co-ordinator is Isobelle West whose home mailbox serves as a drop-off place at 74 Purple Plum Drive, Kingsville, N9Y 3P6. You can drop off your application in her mailbox, or you can mail it to her address.

Our email address is theartssocietyofkingsville@gmail.com.

Do you value your community’s identity? Are you aware of how art shows can foster pride and a sense of belonging?

Do you appreciate the value that art provides for our area, culturally, esthetically and economically?

Art will always enhance the quality of life for our community’s residents and visitors.

Consider joining ASK today!

Watercolours by Candace Anderson at the last Kingsville Tall Ships Festival

ASK Contact Information:

Website
Arts Society of Kingsville

Email
theartssocietyofkingsville@gmail.com

Facebook
Arts Society of Kingsville

Monthly meetings held virtually on Zoom on the last Thursday in each month.

All photos provided by Candace Anderson