The Surfaces Artist Co-operative is returning to help art lovers get through some holiday shopping either for others or for themselves. Sharon Moore-Foster, Allison Argy-Burgess, Dawn Campbell-Leblanc and Rhonda Vickers, who form the group, are setting up camp at Jake's Gallery and Framing for its winter show and sale. They were last on the scene back in April when they put on a spring show and sale at one of the most spring-like places around town: a baseball clubhouse.
Now that it's December, they've chosen a gallery and framing shop in central Edmonton as their appropriate locale to premiere their new show called Surfaces II, a celebration of winter.
Moore-Foster is enthusiastic about Jake's.
"It's a brand new space!" she enthused, thrilled to be able to share the fruits of the friendly foursome's labours with the art-going public. It's as much about camaraderie as it is about creativity, she said.
"The four of us – Dawn, Rhonda, Allison and I – travel and go to retreats. We're personal friends with a long history. Because we're artists, we just need to be doing things that are totally engrossed in seeing and being and experiencing the world around us," she continued. "Basically, I think that co-operatives form because we're the ones who are ready right now to do this."
The artists will bring new selections of their landscape works in various media, including photography, acrylic paintings and sculpture, all designed to celebrate winter.
The opening reception takes place on Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and there will be wine and food pairings for the attendees. The show runs until Jan. 15, 2015. Jake's Gallery & Framing is located at 10441 123 Street in Edmonton. Call the gallery at 780-426-4649 or visit the collective's website at http://surfaces.gallery for more information.
Fresh art at River Ridge
The Sum of Its Parts is the quirky title of the new creative offering from the members of the art club at River Ridge Seniors Community. The art show will feature a wide selection of all of the different kinds of art that they experience in the centre's art studio, everything from painting (in watercolour, oil and acrylic), drawing, decoupage, woodworking, sewing, knitting, embroidery and quilting, flower arranging, scrapbooking, photography and holiday decorations.
Carly Greene, the resident artist and art studio facilitator at the centre, said that this second annual exhibit would feature some astounding works.
"Following the roaring success of our debut show last year, the Art Studio has been pumping out incredible work to share with our community!" she exclaimed.
"As the title suggests, the event will celebrate how each individual artist's style and approach is woven into the overall success of our studio and the amazing collaborative work that comes out of our community!"
The community art show will take place tomorrow from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a champagne toast at 7 p.m. Guests, family, and friends are welcome. There will be appetizers and refreshments, including a complimentary glass of champagne for the toast.
River Ridge is located at 78C McKenney Avenue. Call 780-470-3700 or visit www.reveraliving.com/riverridge for more details.
