Painters and Potters show launches this weekend

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Local talent will be front and center with the launch of the Painters and Potters show this weekend at the Station Arts Centre.

The show runs from Aug. 22 to Sept. 19, with the opening on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. It will feature 24 paintings from 14 artists and eight potters displaying more than 20 pieces.

Station Arts Centre executive director Tabitha Verbuyst said the annual display is popular with local residents coming out to the show.

“It’s really exciting for people to see the work we can do here,” she said.

The Bridge Street Artists is the group of artists who meet at the station once per week to paint, and who are responsible for the paintings in the show. There are about 30 members in the group.

Artist Cathy Barzo is the president of the Bridge Street Artists this year. She said the pieces in the show range from watercolours and acrylics to mixed media collages, with subjects ranging from landscapes, florals and abstracts.

She sees the show as an opportunity to showcase the local talent in the community. Barzo believes many people don’t realize the Station Arts Centre exists and are unaware of the programs offered. She encouraged people to attend the opening.

“The opening is an opportunity to meet some of the artists,” she said. “Coming into this show can open the window about the arts in our community.”

Barzo added it may also spark an interest amongst budding artists and potters in the community.

On the potters’ side, Station House Potters member Brenda Ross is organizing the show. A few members of the group are chosen to display in the show annually. For some, the show is something to strive for, and to create special pieces, while others showcase their best pieces of the last year.

A variety of vases, bowls, jars and decorative items will be on display. Part of the items will be for sale.

The Station House Potters offer classes for beginning potters, teaching them how to use their equipment.

“If you want to use the wheel, you have to take a wheel class,” Ross said. “If you want to hand build, you need to take a hand build class.”

The group has two kilns to finish the items created.