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Visiting artists aim to inspire

Mini residencies emphasize need for public gallery
Visiting artists aim to inspire

Great artists learn by doing but they also grow by exposure to the work and ideas of others. With this guiding principle painters in Powell River have taken the opportunity to invite high profile professional painters to town for visits, illustrated talks and workshops.

This spring John Macdonald of Saltspring Island will be the visiting artist followed by a fall visit from Vancouver painter Val Nelson. John Macdonald is a figurative painter and his bold expressive works can be found in galleries across Canada and the US.

With an aspiring artist in residence and days of focused art making and learning, members of Powell River’s vibrant visual arts community value these mini residencies. As part of the provincial Arts and Culture Week and with sponsorship from the Arts Council, members of the general public can also take in the artist’s talk and slideshow as well as dropping by on the final day for a studio open house. The idea behind the studio open house or sneak peek is for the public to see what is involved in making a painting, work in process—not just the finished result—and to bring visual art, the artists and the community together.

With burgeoning growth of interest in the visual arts in Powell River, a very solid talent base and the beginning of high calibre visiting artists, proponents say it is evident that Powell River requires a professional multi-purpose arts centre or public gallery. Normally when a residency is offered in other cities the visiting artist would exhibit their work in a public gallery space. Powell River currently does not have a professional public gallery in which to exhibit art. “Powell River would benefit from a cultural centre and professional civic gallery and these should be considered in planning stages for the new library” said Megan Dulcie Dill, one of the organizers of the event. “It would be fantastic to have a place where Powell River could showcase professional visiting artists and travelling exhibitions as well as a venue for local youth exhibitions and local talent.”

Macdonald’s slide presentation will be held at 7 pm on Friday, April 15 at the Powell River Academy of Music and the open house will be from 3 to 4 pm on Sunday, April 17, in the art studio at the academy. Interested readers can contact Dulcie Dill at 604.414.7020 for more information.