If you are wondering why there is no Powell River component in this year’s Art Crawl, wonder no more. This year, for the first time, 20 Powell River area artists will come to us during the Art Crawl weekend. We will welcome the Malaspina Artists – Powell River Art Ambassadors on Oct. 16-18 who will show their work at the Roberts Creek Hall.
“We weren’t getting many visitors up here during the fall Art Crawl,” said Malaspina artist Ursula Medley. “We have our own art tour in August and it was too soon after that.”
When some members of the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl committee visited Powell River this year to encourage artists to participate, they talked with painter Alfred Muma and suggested a different strategy.
Linda Williams, Art Crawl coordinator, said, “We had the idea of their artists coming to the southern coast on a road trip to expose their works to a larger audience and to experience the energy of the Crawl in our area.” Muma was quick to agree.
Medley saw it as an opportunity to exhibit their local artists out of the area – maybe even travel to Vancouver next time and show their work there. Medley will bring with her some gardenscapes and coastal scene paintings. As well as painters the group includes jewelry artisans, a wood sculptor, potters, a Haida artist and a maker of natural body products.
“We have fibre artists too,” said Medley. “Alisha Van Belle makes beautiful things and so does Shaunalee Yates.”
Sixteen of the artists will be staying together at a local farmhouse for all three days. Williams notes that the group is an example of the kind of collaboration going on these days that many artists are finding more profitable and fun than working in isolation.
Look for them at the Roberts Creek Hall (No.62 on the Art Crawl map guide) from 10 to 5 each day, Oct. 16-18.
