Lake Country’s finest metal works shop has relocated to Vernon, and they’re ready to show it off.
Metal Dream Designs’ grand opening will be on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the gallery and studio at 6346 Pleasant Valley Rd.
Metal sculpture artist Edward Goodon and wife Debbie will play host to five diverse artists (including Goodon), and more than 90 pieces of art.
“We’ve got four amazing artists joining us,” said Debbie, who looks after the business side of the studio’s two-man operation. As well as working as an accountant, Debbie takes care of all the books for the studio, and maintains the webside.
And that is a very good thing considering Edward, like many artists, is not too handy with a calculator.
“He knows how to turn on the computer,” said Debbie, “but not much else.”
“It’s great, it means that all I have to do is create,” said Edward.
He is happy to put all his focus on his art, which is adorning his beautifully landscaped yard at his studio/gallery.
This used to be a hobby for Goodon, but after 30 years of working at a job he didn’t like for his family, he now gets to enjoy his work.
“He finally gets to do what he really wants,” said Debbie.
And what he really wants to do is to spend his days in his workshop creating metal sculptures for people’s homes, yards, and even commercial or public properties.
A single sculpture can take Edward anywhere from a day to a few months, and Debbie swears some pieces have taken him years.
About 75 per cent of his work is commissioned, and although much of it is sold right here in the Okanagan Valley, he has several distant customers.
“There’s this one guy from White Rock, he must have 10 or 12 pieces in his yard,” said Debbie. “He kept coming back for more. We finally had to go down and take a look.”
“He’s got a little forest back there,” said Edward, who keeps a stack of drawings that will serve as inspiration for future pieces at all times.
The Goodons have no intention of slowing down in the near future. This is a hobby turned career, and they are enjoying every minute of it.
“You just keep going forever,” said Edward. “You can’t shut the creativity off.”
Joining Edward at the grand opening will be several local artists.
Genie Kubryn, an oil painter and instructor at the Vernon Arts Centre, will be showing her work that focuses primarily on large colourful paintings that reflect the inner life of flowers
Juve Furtado, a self-taught artist, has chosen the medium of watercolour, which he combines with his love of both the outdoors and photography to capture nature’s ever varying light and colour.
Linda Wadley, the newest arrival in Vernon, and originally from Jasper East, works out of her studio, Moods and Motions, to create her colourful acrylic and oil landscapes of the North Okanagan.
And finally, joining the Goodons will be Evalynne McDougall of Coldstream Valley Art.
She is a recent award winner in the 2011 Pastels USA Exhibition in California, and has also had a painting accepted for this year’s prestigious Pastel Society of America Exhibition in New York.
Free refreshments and a door prize of one of Edward’s sculptures, although he has yet to decide which one.
For more information, a catalogue of pieces for sale, or directions to the gallery, please visit metaldreamdesign.com.
