The Sunshine Coast Arts Council is excited to announce the upcoming juried group show TrashFormation running July 25 to Aug. 19 in the Doris Crowston Gallery at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre, Sechelt. The exhibit is inspired by the vast amount of discarded stuff that surrounds us, and by how casually we make and then throw out things that are no longer valuable or functional. What if we found a new purpose for these discarded things? Contributing artists have found objects in their environment, homes, beaches, alleys, literally in the trash and in the water and forests. Out of this detritus arises art that is unique, at times powerful, at times meaningful, but always pointing out our ability to find new ways of using things that would normally be thrown away. Twenty-seven artists have created a total of 49 works that range from sculptures, paintings, collages and assemblages of all kinds. The opening reception will be held Sunday, July 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. Come, meet the artists.
Peanut Butter Jam
The summer fundraising Peanut Butter Jam is this Saturday, July 21. Musician Roger Camp organizes these events to attract donations to the food bank. This year might see five bands. The Accidents will open, followed by The Mugs, The Song Butchers will be doing a set, a reunion of The Trees will follow, followed by Slightly Twisted. It all starts at 1 p.m. Bring your cash donations and peanut butter donations for the food bank, as well as your hats, sunscreen and lawn chairs and sit back and enjoy a day of great classic and original music on the west end of Roberts Creek on Beach Avenue at Henderson Beach.
Summer Breeze
Artist Ruth Rodgers will be painting on site at the Gibsons Public Market on Saturday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. She shares a show titled Summer Breeze with Charmaine Bayntun.
Musical Coast
The music runs every weekend these days in Gibsons, Roberts Creek and Sechelt.
• Music in the Landing in Gibsons is free with performances from Friday evening through Saturdays and Sundays. This weekend Keely Halward is at the gazebo on the wharf at 7 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. find Chris Kelly and Nicole Gibson in Pioneer Square with harmonies and pop rock with an edge. Saturday evening is a ticketed event in Winegarden Park as a fundraiser for Sea Cavalcade with Bobby ‘Nearly Neil’ Bruce. Sunday features Shine with Kenneth Johnson and Nancy Pincombe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sundial Stage on Gower Point Road.
• Sechelt Summer Music Series starts at noon on Saturdays on the lawn stage by the Sechelt Library. Saturday, July 21 features Shine and the Van Aldens at noon and 1 p.m.
• Slow Sundays in the Creek is held at the gazebo in Roberts Creek where folks hang out listening and grooving to the music. Loose Endings Ukulele Combo starts things off at noon, July 22, from 1:15 to 2 p.m. it’s the Cedar Creek Combo, and 2 to 3:30 p.m. is Monty Montego, a reggae band.
This Weekend
Difficult choices: On Saturday, July 21 there are two exciting events at opposite ends of the Coast. Four performers – Katherine Penfold, Taryn Laronge, Breanne McDaniel and Susan Ssun – open the amphitheatre at Ruby Lake. No tickets will be sold at the gate; get yours at www.share-there.com or phone George at 604-883-2299. In Gibsons, Nearly Neil sings classic Neil Diamond songs in Winegarden Waterfront Park, starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are at many outlets or online from www.share-there.com.
Texada Arts
Texada is known as an industrial island but nestled among lush forests and mining quarries is an eclectic group of artists. The fourth biennial Texada Artists Studio Tour is planned for July 28 and 29. From “fool the eye” paintings to jewelry made from used electrical supplies, Texada Island artists do it all, and then some, in the full range of the visual arts. A record 20 artists are exhibiting in 13 studios, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Coming from the Coast, connect with the 8:35 a.m. or the 10:20 a.m. ferry from Westview Terminal in Powell River. Those with their own boats can dock at the visitor area at the Texada Boat Club in Van Anda. If you want to leave your vehicle in Powell River, walk on the ferry, and a free studio tour bus is available to pick you up at the Texada ferry terminal or Boat Club, take you to the studios and return you for the trip home. To reserve seats on the bus, or for full tour information, including Texada accommodation, visit www.texadaart.com.
Dance Macau
DSdanse Youth Dance Company was invited to represent Canada in Macau International Youth Dance Festival 2018. The festival promotes artistic exchanges and friendship among the young dance lovers from different parts of the world as well as offering wonderful performance to local residents of Macau. Team Canada is ready to represent our country with enthusiasm, says artistic director Dominique Hutchinson, with the support of the Sunshine Coast Youth Dance Association. The dancers left this week; stay tuned for more on their adventures.
Roguefest
The Rogue Arts Festival is not until Aug. 24 to 26 on the Clarke Farm in Wilson Creek, though tickets are now on sale online. This third annual festival is a three-day, outdoor, arts festival, focusing on a broader definition of the word art, fostering social inclusion, promoting collaboration and interactivity, and just having one heck of a good time. Non-stop music includes 80 musicians as part of the Main Stage Series and unique collective sets featuring musicians playing together for the first time, the Rogue Art Gallery showcasing Coast visual artists, Human Foosball, the Workshop Series, night visuals by CoastStreaming, the Creation Station featuring professional artists doing demonstrations and workshops, local food, yoga, interactive installations, a collaborative mural, and the Libation Station featuring micro-brews and cider. For further festival information and tickets, see roguefest.ca.
Travel Sketching
Renowned Sunshine Coast watercolour artist Hiroshi Shimazaki describes himself as both a geographer and an aspiring landscape painter. He writes: “Geography and landscape painting share a common concern: the study of the relationship between people and environment.” It has been said that each of Shimazaki’s paintings is not just of a place but a complete visual statement of the atmospheric, water, land and human significance of that living place. He also has a well-earned reputation as a teacher, and takes groups of students on his travels around the world. Gibsons Public Art Gallery is proud to present his workshop Travel Sketching: Fuss-Free Indelible Memories. Using pocket-sized equipment with maximum speed, this two-part workshop offers an introduction to creating sketches that capture the essence of what is being viewed. Previous sketching experience is not necessary but enthusiasm is mandatory. Professor Shimazaki presented this workshop to a capacity room in June, and, by demand, he is repeating it on two Saturdays, July 28 and Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. Enrolment is limited. Call Michael Aze at GPAG for further information and to register at 604-886-0531.
Message Me
Please send notice of your arts and entertainment events to my email: jandegrass@dccnet.com or phone 604-741-9360. Items go into the Art Beat column one day to one week ahead only, depending on space. Deadline is Tuesday noon for Friday’s paper.
