Art on the Shelf is back but so was winter! The opening, planned for Friday evening of last week was postponed until Saturday, but a few enthusiastic art lovers were on hand on Friday to preview (without the crowd) the contributions of 33 local artists.
Everything from silk pillows, to quilted wall hangings to watercolours to sculpture. Works of local artists, both well-known and up and coming are on display and available for purchase. Art On the Shelf, organized by Doug and Evelyn Sloane, is a fundraiser for the Picton library Time to Renew project. Doug and Evelyn have been responsible for previous Art on the Shelf events that promote local art and benefit a local cause. This year the admission price of $5 supports the library and the museums of Prince Edward County. A percentage of the sale price of a piece of art is directed to the library building project.
The $5 admission charge also entitles the bearer to visit Macaulay House for Wassail. These events continue Saturday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Nov. 25 and the weekend of Dec. 1-2. Those who previewed the Art On the Shelf show last Friday evening had much to say.
Myrna Mather said: “It is so diverse, a bit of everything for the art lover. All this local talent! Some new names and that is exciting to see. The county is a magnet for the young and creative.”
Lawrence Cornett and Barbara Kenelly were much more astute in picking up on the literary allusions in the pieces than I was. They found the artists to be very clever in their interpretations.
From Red Riding Hood, to Little Women to Margaret Atwood and Robert Frost – the show is rich in artistically represented symbolism drawn from literature. Those items that are sold will remain on display until the show closes, so do not hesitate to attend the show right up until 5 p.m. Dec. 1, the final weekend and remember you can go from Macaulay Church to Wassail at Macaulay House for the price of your admission to the art show.
Another art lovers’ favourite will be returning in 2019. Colleen Green of the library fundraising committee is organizing DiscARTed. This is the art show comprised entirely of art made from recycled or discarded books. The show will run in April of next year in conjunction with the County Reads and the County Reads…More! festival. Books can be made available to at any time.If you wish to start right away, call the library at 476-5962. Application forms will be available in January and a pick-up location with discarded books established in the Picton library.
If you want to participate, but are bereft of ideas the library has a book that you can check out: The Repurposed Library 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life by Lisa Occhipinti, call number 745.5 OCCHI – available now on the shelf in Picton branch. You can place the hold on your home computer to avoid disappointment and have the book checked out and waiting for you on our pick-up shelf in Picton! This promises to be another not-to-be-missed community event where as Mather says, the creative gather.
For the latest updates on the library’s Picton Branch Library expansion project visit timetorenew.ca or find us on social media @peclibrary.
-Barbara Sweet