Open just since this past spring, the Art Emporium is operated by a group of five artists whose goal is to provide a venue to show their own work, and also that of many other regional artists and artisans. With ample floor and wall space, the bright gallery is well set-up to show off an abundance of work.
It was an art-full weekend in Elgin County with “For Art’s Sake”, an Artists & Artisan Showcase at the Art Emporium in Port Stanley and the Elgin Fall Colours Studio Tour.
Open just since this past spring, the Art Emporium is operated by a group of five artists whose goal is to provide a venue to show their own work, and also that of many other regional artists and artisans. With ample floor and wall space, the bright gallery is well set-up to show off an abundance of work. Fans and friends flocked to the CASO Station on Sunday to join Christine Klaus Noble for the launch of her four children’s books. From the round-the-world quest for a perfect pet (not an alpaca) in Can I Please have a Pet? to Keith’s annoying habit of scaring family members (including Nana reading a Looney Spoons cookbook at the cottage) in Ooga Booga, the books are packed with busy family life and warmth. Vivid, imaginative and fun illustrations by Martin Murtonen fill every page. Connie Greger opened her annual exhibit with a reception on Friday Sept 27th at St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre. She spent many hours over the past spring and summer, rendering Sparta’s local historic buildings in sketches and paintings. The exhibit, “Historical Architecture Sparta: The Inheritance” was on display in the Studio Gallery from September 28th to 30th. Connie’s talent, and her on-going pursuit of making community connections and developing her skills were evident in several oils, mostly in her favourite colour palette, and in her detailed building sketches. The newly opened Sparta Church Museum and Cultural Centre is all decked out in a bevy of wedding attire and this past Saturday (Sept 22nd) the lower level was adorned in it’s finest for High Tea. A fundraiser for the centre, the tea was an elegant taste of an event which was probably seen regularly in connection with the weddings represented in the upstairs exhibits. The ritual of sipping tea whilst nibbling little sandwiches and decadent sweets was relished by attendees at four sittings throughout the afternoon. Sarah and Jeff brought their Tribute to Johnny Cash and June Carter to a sold-out audience at the Princess Ave Theatre in St. Thomas on Friday evening (September 21st). The two musicians are known for putting on a show that includes fun and charm along with lots of good music. It’s the combination that won them the 2012 Jack Richardson Music award for Best Country artist and the London Music Award for most popular Country/Bluegrass. Jeff commented that Friday's show was the second night of their theatre series. The venue is appropriate as the show opens with Jeff slipping quite credibly into the Johnny Cash role. His rich deep voice and mannerisms convincingly bring to mind a slim Johnny Cash. Sarah joins in later in the first set for some more fun in tribute to Johnny & June. Algoma University’s in St. Thomas opened officially on Friday (September 21st), marking the successful launch of a project started more than six years ago. The program brings to the area an educational opportunity which many communities would envy, and a teaching format which may make it the best first two years of an undergraduate program anywhere in Canada. The Station Parkette in downtown St. Thomas was the place on Saturday July 14th to listen to a little live music, view some local art, and pause for a while to relax and soak up some sunshine. Art in the Park brought together ten artists in mediums from clay to paint, beads, fabric and stamps for their second event of the summer. Shugg and the Temporary Men performed and children stopped in at the free crafts centre, compliments of St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre, to create colourful rain-sticks. Quai du Vin musical event newbies are usually heard to exclaim, “Wow, this is amazing…so many people…out here…having so much fun!” To Summer Sounds Delicious veterans, it’s not a surprise anymore…but still….so much fun! The Elgin Military Museum joins in celebrating the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee with a special exhibit. An open house and opening kicked it off on Saturday (June 23). Re-enactors and volunteers from the Backus Page House played host to visitors on Saturday and Sunday (May 26 & 27) to bring to life the sights, sounds and smells of the early 1800s. It was 1812 and the farmers of the Talbot Settlement were being recruited to fight for the British against the Americans. Mark Girdauskas (photos by MG) caught the action Sunday – check out photos in the top three collages and slideshow. Below that are some shots by Relish Elgin taken Saturday.
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