Duk brings romance downtown

These are exciting times for St. Albert Painters' Guild member Olga Duk. Fresh off of winning the Artist of the Year title from Art Trends magazine, she has just launched a solo exhibition at The Bookstore on Perron, her first in this country.

The Russian-born painter has brought a touch of her homeland with her too.

"For me, it's a show of my personal art," she began, adding that she has truly settled into her life here. "It's my second home."

She came to Canada in 2004 and has spent much time honing her craft. Duk paints figurative works of characters that are clearly Russian: either they are wearing some traditional attire or costume or appear next to obviously Russian landmarks, or both. Sometimes not, but it's still obvious that they are Russian and these paintings are indeed gorgeous.

These things are all part of the plan. She has been painting since she was 10 and got her formal education from "an old Russian art school," she said. The Academy of Art in St. Petersburg was established in 1757.

The traditions of her country's art and romanticism run strong in her work.

"All my life I was captivated by women's beauty. All of my art is about romance … and realism."

She added that she paints nearly every day, even speaking romantically about her practice. "I can't miss it. It's my life, my soul, my heart, everything."

The gallery walls will be full. Duk has 18 works in the show.

Creative Expressions

These artists in residence give that title new meaning. They are part of the Creative Expressions program at River Ridge Seniors' Community, their active living housing facility. They don't just live in residence there; they unleash their imaginations in some very artistic ways.

They are putting the finishing touches on a new exhibit to be unveiled on Tuesday evening. The event is a celebration of the artists themselves and the end of the first year of the Open Art Studio. The room used to be a multi-purpose activity centre, but was dedicated in April to be used solely as a drop-in art room.

Carly Greene, the resident artist at the centre, is enthusiastic that this Art Walk will introduce more of the public to the creative potential of the elderly.

"We've been running full time since April," she stated. "The studio has just exploded! We've had people who have never done art before coming down and trying out new things. We're getting a lot of residents who are just full of potential that have never been able to 'untap' that potential."

The show will feature some very unique works, everything from sculptures and paintings to printmaking and craftworks including knitting. There will be upwards of 75 artist residents with work on display.

The exhibit takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The exhibit will be set up in various locations across the main and lower floors. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and a champagne reception will be held at 7. The Art Walk itself starts at 7:45 p.m.

Attendance is free and many of the artists themselves will be present.

River Ridge Seniors Community living facility is located at 78C McKenney Ave. For more information about the residence or its programs, please call 780-470-3700 or visit www.riverridgeseniors.ca.