Second music and art event to be held at St. James Anglican Church Oct. 18

Local artists sell their wares to shoppers at the St. James Music and Art Sale March 1 in support of the St. James belltower restoration project.

After a successful first kick at the can, organizers are bringing back Music and Art at St. James for second time on Oct. 18, an event that will feature the work of more than 30 local and regional artists, as well as performances by local musicians.

The first Music and Art at St. James event was held at St. James Anglican Church in Stratford back in March, raising $1,900 for the ongoing rehabilitation of the church’s belltower. After finding success with that event, organizers Karin Mussen and Lois Justrabo decided to bring it back in the fall with more space for exhibiting artists.

“On March 1 of this year, I just wanted to float a trial balloon to see if this sort of event could even happen,” Mussen said. “I really just opened it up to people who were connected with St. James and we just did it in the upper hall. There were a couple people who were from outside of the St. James community, but they couldn’t come at the last moment for various reasons. … It was more an in-house thing and it went so well, I was just flabbergasted.

“ … We made over $1,900, which was flabbergasting. Part of it was having the jazz combo from Stratford District Secondary School. They were amazing, so people came in … and, of course, they donated very kindly.”

While weather was a factor for the first event – blowing and drifting snow made it more difficult to travel to Stratford from further afield – the event’s success gave organizers the encouragement to begin planning a similar event, only larger.

This time around, the event will span both the lower and upper hall at St. James, offering space for as many as 32 local and regional artists to display and sell their work – double the number of artists who participated in the last event. While there is no vendor fee, the artists are being asked to donate a minimum of 20 per cent of their sales back to St. James in support of the ongoing belltower rehabilitation.

While Mussen says there will be art on display across many disciplines and for sale at different price points for every budget – from student art to local photography and everything in between – one of the event’s highlights will be the inclusion of local artist Leslie Watts’ painting, “No Exit,” in the event’s silent auction.

“The big surprise is Leslie Watts,” Mussen said. “Her painting has been valued at $2,000. … She has artwork for sale at Village Studios in Stratford, so she’s a very well-known Stratford artist who has completely donated this piece.”

On the music side of things, those who come out for the art will have the opportunity to listen to several live performances, including one by longtime St. James bell chimer Peter Ryde, who will perform a mini concert before the event begins at 10 a.m. From 11-11:30 a.m., St. James organist and choir director Ian Sadler will present several choral contemporary songs with the church choir, and from 2:30-3:30 p.m., student musicians from Stratford District Secondary School will perform under the direction of Kelsey Regier.

“It is really, really incredible the response to this event,” Mussen said. “I’m hoping I’ll get another person or two on board to help with organizing the next one.”

For more information on Music and Art at St. James, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18, contact Mussen at kejmstudios@gmail.com or 519-272-0629, or contact the St. James office at 519-271-3572 or office@stjamesstratford.ca. Freewill donations will be accepted at the door.