Skip to content

Art-making twin bill in Metchosin

Visions of the area in various mediums to be displayed
95861goldstreamGNG-VOMartwork-1-p
Pieces from oils to watercolours to fabric work are on display at the Art of the Wall exhibit at Metchosin Community House. The month-long show runs in conjunction with Sunday’s art festival outside the venue.

They may have to rename the Metchosin Community House the art house after July 13.

With the month-long Art on the Wall series taking over the interior of the building and the first-ever Metchosin Art Festival taking over the exterior, the former residence turned community centre will soon be overflowing with artisans when the two events overlap this Sunday.

“This is a chance for the public to meet the artists and for the artist to show what they do and see it being done live … and ask questions,” said organizer Art Brendon.

He compared the events, known collectively as Visions of Metchosin, to a condensed version of the TD Art Gallery Paint-in, but set to a rural backdrop. The unjuried show illustrates that there is more undiscovered talent in the area than meets the eye, Brendon said.

“(We thought) the public would be interested in seeing how the region is depicted other than through photographs,” he said. “They are unique and really well done. Seeing the area through an artist’s eyes is a different experience than seeing it on TV or video.”

The rainbow of artwork ranges from paintings and children’s art to photography from both professional and hobby artists, without what Brendon called the boundaries of a curated show. There were no rules other than to show Metchosin, and no judging was done, to give artists greater freedom and break out from the model of art as competition.

“I think that makes it interesting and curious. It wasn’t intended to be homogenized into environment or people, it is just about the place and what the artists will find interesting (about Metchosin),” he said. “I hope the public finds that interesting as well.”

The art festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 13 artist demonstrators showing off their skills in a multitude of mediums, including stained-glass jewelry, printmaking, watercolour, oil painting and photography.

“Metchosin is such a neat place … it is such a unique place. The (environment) is so beautiful,” said Metchosin-based artist Jan Poulin. “A lot of people are very (good) artists and this is something (where the community) can see what artists do and appreciate the talents in the community.”

She’ll be on hand to demonstrate her years of experience in using gathered beach glass to make colourful patterned art.

“People do so many amazing things out here, it’s incredible. The art festival is going to give a good representation of different things others can (also) do if they feel like it,” Poulin said. “It’s all fun to see what they do and how they do it. Artists don’t mind sharing what they do with other people.”

For more information visit metchosincommunityhouse.com.

alim@vicnews.com



Arnold Lim

About the Author: Arnold Lim

I'm an award-winning photojournalist, videographer, producer, and director.
Read more