“We have a playful art season ahead!” wrote Susan Down, managing director of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council in an email to the Citizen to let us know what’s coming up at their galleries in the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan.
So what’s up? Everything from puppetry, to Lego, baskets and found objects, according to Down.
On Wednesday, Nov. 25 there will be a puppetry talk from noon to 1 p.m, followed by a workshop from 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. with Tim Gosley.
“Puppeteer Tim Gosley will give a retrospective talk through his career, including performances and demonstrations of various forms of puppets,” Down says. “He started working backstage at his father’s Jerry Gosley Smile Show. He will perform a puppet version of his father as Queen Victoria, then his time in television with Jim Henson’s Muppets on Fraggle Rock, Canadian Sesame Street and numerous other television projects. At the same time he will explore his personal career that involves a love for numerous puppetry forms from giant parade style characters, to shadow, light and low-tech live video applications.”
The talk is free, but you should reserve your seat. Priority will be given to people in the workshop.
The workshop is limited to a small group and costs $40 for non-CVAC members, $30 for members.
“Gosley leads an LED shadow and light puppetry workshop featuring low-tech live video puppetry and object manipulation. This inexpensive technique can have a big impact for your website, Fringe play, creative promotion or fine art production,” promotional materials say.
Gosley will also be performing a show at Theatre Inconnu in Victoria in November.
If puppetry isn’t your thing there’s also the Lotsa Lego Show that runs from Nov. 28 to Dec. 18. You’ll want to sign up now to participate, and the entry deadline is Nov. 25. The entry fee is $5.
Don’t have your own Lego? The Cowichan branch of the Vancouver Island Library, also located in the Cowichan Community Centre, is offering loans of mystery bags of Lego to kids and families to build their creations. People can enter as individuals or groups — families, school classes — in two age categories, under 12 years old and over 12 years old. Entries can be done on the CVAC website.
The theme is Future Worlds. Register in person at the Red Balloon Toyshop (158 Craig St., Duncan) or online at www.cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca
The Red Balloon Toyshop is also sponsoring prizes for some of the most outstanding creations.
But that’s not all. Further CVAC shows are already in the gallery, just waiting for you to come to see them.
Dennis B. Del Torre has Conversation Starters and Show Stoppers, described as work created from “whimsical mixed media and found objects,” on from Oct. 28 to Nov. 14.
There is also a multi-artists show called Elements, featuring 28 artists working in metal, clay, wood and basketry, on from Oct. 24 to Nov. 14.
Want to see how the stuff is made?
Check out the artist demonstrations at the gallery. Wednesday, Nov. 4 from noon until 3 p.m Alison Irwin will demonstrate basketry. On Thursday, Nov. 5, from 1-3 p.m Cathi Jefferson will demonstrate clay handbuilding. On Thursday, Nov. 12 from 1-3 p.m. Linda Richter will demonstrate clay sculpture. And finally on Saturday, Nov. 14, from noon to 3 p.m., Alison Irwin is back with basketry, specifically twining.
