As summer heats up, so too does the local arts scene.
Showing at Oak Bay’s Avenue Gallery through July 13 are new vessels by master ceramicist John Charnetski.
After retiring from 24 years of visual art teaching at Malaspina University College in 1994, John’s major emphasis shifted to clay, particularly the excitement of raku. His large, one-of-a-kind vessels feature exquisite finishes and glazes.
From July 13 to 20, discover new jewellery by Lindsay Stocking-Godfrey, who has been designing and smithing sterling silver and gold jewellery for nearly 40 years.
Oak Bay’s Eclectic Gallery presents an exhibit of work by Christine Reimer and Krysia Gallien, with an opening with the artists this Saturday, July 9, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Reimer’s work features “bold colours and a lively imagination leading to abstraction,” says Eclectic’s John Taylor.
Gallien recently relocated to Victoria from Montreal. “There is a touch of energy that is dynamic in her work and a little spiritual in nature,” Taylor says. “Both of these artists are really painting beauty.”
Winchester Gallery welcomes The Attic Series featuring Harry Stanbridge, and an introductory exhibition with David Ellingsen, both showing to July 30. Join the gallery and the artists for an opening reception this Saturday, July 9 from 2 to 4 p.m.
A local artist and teacher, Stanbridge has long been interested in “the optical effects in painting and how those effects can stimulate physiologic and psychic memory events.” In this series of paintings, the title attic acts as a metaphor for the mind and its storehouse of memory.
The exhibit of Ellingsen’s work includes pieces from three different series. Future Imperfect explores elements of man and the environment and the instinct of self-preservation in a Western culture that upholds its standards of living at all costs. Addressing the state of our forests, The Last Stand contemplates the “cognitive dissonance arising from the dilemma of participation in, and yet responsibility for, the fouling of one’s own nest.” Finally, the Obsolete Delete installations are informed by the increasing speed of technological obsolescence, the environment and the collision of the two.
“In our quest to always exhibit work by artists who have something interesting and relevant to say, we welcome David’s dynamic and thought-provoking photography,” says Winchester Galleries president Gunter Heinrich.
Cadboro Bay’s Goward House hosts a photographic art show and sale by Ann White, showing through Aug. 24. Visit Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and see a preview at gowardhouse.com/artshow.
Madrona Gallery celebrates the sunny season with the seventh annual Colours of Summer group exhibition, continuing through Aug. 17.
This group show features works from the gallery’s nationally recognized artists and select works from its collection of historic Canadian art. Featured artists include Shuvinai Ashoona, Clayton Anderson, Nicholas Bott, Rick Bond, Karel Doruyter, Hashim Hannoon, Meghan Hildebrand, John Lennard, Tim Pitsiulak, Ningeokuluk Teevee, Corrinne Wolcoski, Sean Yelland and others.
The University of Victoria’s Legacy Gallery Downtown features the Out of the Frame: Salish Printmaking exhibition through Oct. 1.
The new exhibition, featuring work from a collective of eight artists, challenges ideas about printmaking by bringing the process of printing into relation with cultural traditions, personal experiences and the material world.
Take in work by Charles Elliott, Doug LaFortune, Angela Marston, Andy Everson, Maynard Johnny Jr., lessLIE, Chris Paul and Dylan Thomas.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria continues its full selection of exhibits, including the recently opened China’s Favourite Pottery for Teas: Yixing Ware in the Founder’s Gallery. See several hundred Yixing teapots, most gathered by a Vancouver collector during trips to China in the 1970s to ‘90s. Join a curator’s tour July 20 at 2 p.m.
Haema Sivanesan will lead a curator’s tour of Trans Pacific Transmissions: Video Art Across the Pacific on Wednesday, July 13, from 2 to 3 p.m., while the Massey Gallery hosts the Summer Small Works Show & Sale, offering affordable original art for sale from local artists through Aug. 14. For more information and events, visit aggv.ca.
West End Gallery’s annual Summer Salon runs through July and August, showcasing British Columbia artists and a variety of colours, techniques and imagery: landscape, still life, abstract, impressionistic, urban and figurative styles are all represented. Participating painters include Steven Armstrong, Rod Charlesworth, Ken Faulks, Greta Guzek, Patricia Johnston, Grant Leier, Elka Nowicka and others.
Collectors will also delight in the beautiful selection of glasswork from Kathleen Black, Robert Held, Tammy Hudgeon, Robert Leatherbarrow, David Thai and Paull Rodrigue.
Joining the exhibit are Cameron Douglas’s playful, rounded figures where strategic curves and ridges cast light and shadow, and wrapped steel figures by Salt Spring Island artist Janis Woode which convey a range of emotions and a multitude of social discourse through body language and creativity.
On the Inner Harbour, the Robert Bateman Gallery welcomes a special exhibition, The Resilience of the People, a visual history of the territory of the Lekwungen/Songhees people, showing through Sept. 30.
A celebration is planned Thursday July 14, from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring special guests, singers, and traditional dancers. Admission is by donation; please RSVP to events@batemancentre.org
At downtown’s Martin Batchelor Gallery, the Free Air exhibit features recent work by Laura Feeleus July 9 to Aug. 4. Join the gallery for an opening reception this Saturday, July 9 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Arts events around town
Next weekend brings the Island’s largest outdoor art event, when the 29th annual TD Art Gallery Paint-In fills Moss Street with local art and artists. Saturday, July 16.
The day kicks off at 10 a.m. with admission-by-donation at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, then at 11 a.m. more than 165 local artists show and demonstrate their work along Moss Street. The family garden opens at 11 a.m. with an array of food, beverages and live music until 9 p.m. at the gallery, at 1040 Moss St.
Booths throughout the event will include rest stations, water refill and doggy bowls. For the younger crowd, there is even a bouncy castle. Enjoy live music by Slim Sandy and Hillbilly Boppers in the afternoon and Tight Hair Disco in the evening.
Experience the 30th Sooke Fine Arts Show July 22 to Aug. 1 at the Seaparc Leisure Centre. The 11-day art show and sale features more than 375 works of fine art from across B.C.’s coastal islands, and includes myriad special events, entertainment, delicious food and children’s activities. Visit sookefinearts.com for details about Vancouver Island’s premiere arts event.
Looking ahead, the Bowker Creek Brush-up will bring some 40 artists to the park adjacent to Bowker Creek, between Oak Bay High and Hampshire Road from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14. See oakbayartists.com for more information.