This year marks the 21st Annual Castlegar Art Walk, featuring more than 28 local and regional artists and artisans at 28 venues throughout the city.
The self-guided tour is a celebration of exploration and inspiration through a variety of media and runs from June 26 until Sept. 17. Detailed maps are available at the Castlegar Visitor Centre and from venue locations.
Each week, the Castlegar News will feature biographies from the exciting artists in the show.
Margo Saunders
Venue – RHC Insurance Brokers Ltd.
Artistic Medium – Photographs
Hometown – Genelle, BC
Artist’s Bio and Statement
My father instilled the passion for photography in me at a young age. Although he excelled in black and white, he taught me darkroom techniques in colour also, while I was in elementary school. My preferred genres are landscapes and nature, macro, architecture and creative images. I take very few pictures of people, except as reference points, but my Art Walk display this year has a very special tribute to a very special person. Many of you knew him and will see the truth in the title, and in the context of the image.
Photography has been one of the most important parts of my life since childhood. I joined the West Kootenay Camera Club to learn from peers, and am impressed by the talent of the other members, and knowledge they so willingly share.
I want to make art that is connected to the world, but that my presence is alluded to as little as possible. My pictures should feel like they’ve just appeared. A lot of artists look for drama, but there is enough drama in the world. The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
Helena Edmison
Venue – Oglow’s Paint & Wallcoverings
Artistic Medium – Paintings (Acrylic and Watercolour Landscapes)
Hometown – Trail, BCURL – n/a
Artist’s Bio
Born in Holland, immigrated to Canada in early 1950’s with parents and has lived in Kootenay most of her life. Helena started with oils in late 1970’s and stopped painting for about 30 years. In 2008 she took up her brushes again and took several workshops with a notable local artist, it was there that she discovered her love of colour, shadows, shapes and how the light plays on nature. Mostly self taught, she has taken several workshops in watercolour, acrylic and oil painting with various artists. Helena enjoys experiencing the different approaches, the vibrancy of acrylics and the softness of watercolours and has been a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists since 2010 and was juried in as an active member in 2013.
Artist’s Statement
The abundance of colour and beauty of our Canadian landscapes are all the inspiration I need. We are blessed to live in such a wonderful country.
