Two creative minds can be better than one. Especially when they’re the centre of a dual art showing that highlights the area’s natural elements.
Jerry and Kate Enewold’s exhibition of wood carvings, paintings, silver and beadwork, opens Friday with a reception slated from 5-7 p.m. at the VISAC Gallery in downtown Trail.
The showcase marks the first time VISAC has presented two artists at once, and the event marks the first time that the husband-wife team from Thrums have presented together, though it’s been a long time coming.
“When I was younger I thought I’d be an artist,” said Jerry.
“But then came the children, and when you have children you have to have an income,” he explained with a glint in his eye. “So I became a cabinet maker and doing that work you have to have a correlation with time and money.”
With his little ones now adults, he can spend more time working creatively, and latency doesn’t factor into his final product anymore.
“When I’m involved in the creative process time is not a factor,” he said. “The intensity of concentration, being in the groove and doing what I enjoy, time just flows by. Really, I am working outside of time.”
Inspired by the West Kootenay habitat, Jerry’s supply of all wood types for custom pieces such as hand crafted doors, include cedar, fur, and maple that is gathered locally from Boards By George in Meadow Creek.
But his carving muse comes from the rich traditions of the native people of the Pacific Northwest, as well as his vocation as a woodworker.
“I get so much inspiration from the west coast native art,” he said. “How they weave together nature, man and animals, is very sophisticated and a beautiful form of art.”
Kate first delved into the art world as a textile student at Vancouver’s Langara College.
“I was young when I first went to art school,” she said. “I was into weaving and spinning wool, which is not the kind of project you can pack around.”
So began her interest in beadwork, which she says is like weaving, but on a tiny scale.
“Whenever we went places I collected beads and things to use in jewelry,” Kate added.
“Because there’s always room for a few beads in your suitcase.”
Her passion for silversmithing began while studying at Kootenay School of Art’s (KSA) jewelry studio a few years ago.
“My initial impetus was to go to KSA to learn things that would enhance the beadwork I was doing,” she said. “But working with metal became a passion and I thought, ‘okay, I’ve got a new career.’”
Today the couple work out of their home studio, with Jerry’s woodworking shop in the front part of the building and Kate’s brightly lit studio nestled toward the back.
“I like to keep her out of the office,” Jerry laughed.
For more information about the Enewold’s work, visit boardwalkwoodwork.com or Kate’s Facebook page, Thrums Logic: Art & Design.
The Enewold’s exhibit runs until March 20, with gallery hours Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and until 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Ongoing and upcoming gallery classes include drawing with Joe Horvath the last Saturday of each month; a four-session rock polishing course with Russ Olson; and Theresa LeRose’s five-session introductory hand building pottery class.
Visit visacgallery.com for details or call 364.1181.
