May 2015 Newsletter

May 2015 Joanne Thomson’s Newsletter
So much is going on that I forgot to tell you I was refused the BC Arts Council Grant for the Mason Jar series. I got the letter in Mid March, during the CRD AIR and was upset for a couple of days, now resigned to it. I guess my work doesn’t fit their mandate. I am continuing the series and though work has been slow, the plan is to focus on the paintings in August and September (once the big projects are finished).  I asked my Wednesday students to rate some of the images for printing as cards and and have selected 10 images that I’ll be printing ready for the summer events.
 
GRAY WHALE articulation at VIU Deep Bay Marine Station: CTV reporter Gord Kermis visited the Gray whale project on April 24th my second day on the job. This short video will answer some of your questions about what is involved and you will actually see me working!    CTV Video clip 
Diane, Nancy and Susan came up last Saturday and volunteered with painting. They are shown in the banner of the newsletter.  There is still room for one volunteer on Monday May 11 and on Wednesday May 13th.  If you are interested let me know and I'll send you the information!
 
OPENING ON THURSDAY NIGHT May 7th at Cedarhill Arts Centre Gallery (Cedarhill Rec Centre) from 7-9 come and meet the (Im)Possibilities crew who have survived the censorship incident to show another day.  My Bottled figures have been deemed to be ‘not nudes’ and will be in the show.  The show opens on May 6th with an opening reception on Thursday May 7th and runs through until May 20th at noon.   
 
NEW GALLERY:  I have decided to join the Gage Gallery Artists Collective in Oak Bay. (Well, they did have a say too).  I went to my first meeting on May 4th.  I have never been part of a collective before so it is going to be an adventure and will be quite a bit more exposure for me.  I’ll be taking my art cards there on Friday and then I’ll be part of a small group having a show in the BackRoom Gallery from June 2 to 20th.  In the summer I’ll be having an exhibition the in main gallery from July 14 – August 1st  showing with Sheryl Fisher. We have titled our exhibition “Many Faces of Silence”.  It will feature Sheryl’s mimes and my “Bottled” series with new works on sensitive subjects (and likely some about being part of a collective)! The theme is art  that ‘talks’ about subjects that are not usually talked about.  I’ll send information about special events in the next newsletter. The opening will be on Friday July 17th 7-9.
Gage Gallery is at 2031 Oak Bay Avenue, near Foul Bay, and is open Tuesday to Saturday 11 – 5.
 
NEW PAINTINGS AT SOUTH SHORE GALLERY: I took out 5 new small watercolour on canvas paintings, four of them from the Francis King AIR.  Jessie now has 85 BC artists exhibiting with her and it makes a wonderful display of art and jewelry.
 
GEORGE JAY MURAL: We will be starting the layout for painting the mural on May 20th.  Fundraising has been wonderful with most of the money being raised and some new sponsors coming forward. George Jay School is on Princess Avenue, but the walls that will have the murals mounted on them will face Cook Street. There will be four murals in all, two on the gym and two on the main school building.  They won’t be up until the fall when the seismic upgrades are finished. t.  Thanks to those of you who indicated interest in being volunteers. Those opportunities will be during the weeks of May 25th and June 1st.  If you also want to help out by wielding a brush, let me know.

Art and Yoga Retreat: July13, 14, 15. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.   Join Robin Cantor and myself for a Mini art and yoga retreat in town. Art lessons will be in the morning and one on one mentoring in the afternoons. We will walk through the park to Robins for Iyengar yoga practice.  The art studio will be open from 9 am to 9 pm so you can focus on your work. Limited to 8 participants. Gluten and dairy free lunches provided (one of them a delicious raw food lunch!). $265.00

September – December 2015 classes in my home studio: Priority registration for continuing students is open.  There will be some space in the Wednesday afternoon class as some of those students are travelling or moving to another teacher.
 
Wednesday morning: September 23 – December 12, 2015, 12 weeks – NO class on November 11,  0930 – 1230.  Fee $300.00 (includes GST)
 
Wednesday afternoon: September 23 – December 12, 2015, 12 weeks – NO class on November 11,  2 pm – 5 pm.  Fee $300.00 (includes GST)
 
NEW FOR FALL- since some of you have asked for an evening class, this is what I have found I can schedule. Let me know if it suits you.  When I have enough interest I’ll ask for money!  Until then, expressions of interest are appreciated.
A MONTH OF FRIDAYS: Beginners watercolour classes 7-9:30 pm.  All materials provided. $135.00  November 6, 13, 20 and 27.  7 – 9:30 pm at my studio.
 
(I’ll be offering beginners watercolour through UVic Continuing Studies in the Fall as well as some one day courses.  More details in August. )
 
As always email me if you want more information about any of the above. [email protected].