Events for July / August 2010

July

The Comox BIA is delighted to announce an exciting new initiative to welcome residents and visitors to our beautiful Town – Summer Sundays in Comox by the Sea!

Our first Summer Sunday will be July 11^th and the event will run until August 28^th.  From 12pm - 4pm, throughout these 8 Sundays there will be artists creating their works in the Town Circle, wandering entertainment like clowns, jugglers, face-painters, and musicians.  Merchants, restaurants and professionals will all be providing specials and discounts. 

Comox by the Sea is definitely the place to be on this Summer's Sundays! <img src="">

In her 2nd solo showing at Pearl Ellis and following a policy set for herself years ago, Judi has some new work for this show and sale.  Included are a selection of her popular flowers on masa paper  and some new landscapes of the English Lake District and Gabriola Island.

Judi’s medium of choice is watercolour, and while some people think of soft and dreamy images, she prefers rich warm colours, bringing vibrance and happiness into any home or office. She enjoys painting on a variety of supports - paper, canvas, Yupo and Masa paper.  Recently she took an exciting new direction: her works on Masa paper are now added to a canvas backing, available in the currently popular no-frame format, and sprayed with an acrylic coating so they do not need glass for protection. These images have a special appeal added to the intriguing background that Masa paper provides.

Traditionally framed landscapes of Vancouver Island, England and Ontario and flowers, all with their own ‘story’ create “lovely paintings, thoughtful words” as well as a “warm bright welcome”.  Other comments from happy viewers: “inspirational”; “beautiful interplay of light and colour” and “a treat for the eyes” and the  rewarding “now on our collection”.

Established in Comox since May 2006, artist Judi Pedder has gained recognition for her work in solo shows, studio visits and Federation of Canadian Artists Juried Shows.  You may also have met Judi at the “Originals Only” shows , at Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens and the Filberg Lodge.  The Old School House in Qualicum Beach hosted a showing of Judi’s work in 2008 and in September 2009 she displayed a large selection at the Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River.

Originally from England, Judi’s formal art education began with a wide range of subjects at the Ipswich School of Art. Later, during her years in Ontario, she studied with well known Ontario artists including Brian M. Atyeo, Gordon MacKenzie and Linda Kemp as well as Frank Francese and the late, greatly admired Zoltan Szabo of  the U.S.A.

More recently, and always adding to her ability, Judi has enjoyed workshops with Dianne Bersea, Stephen Quiller, Suzanne Northcott, Marilyn Timms and Don Farrell.  Her work has been shown successfully since 1995 and pieces have found their way to South Africa, Hungary, Australia, England,  Wales, the U.S.A. and numerous cities in Canada.  Since moving to Comox admirers have taken her work home to Coquitlam, Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach, Salt Spring Island, Willow Point, Vancouver and the Comox Valley.

Judi Pedder is an experienced instructor and offers classes in her studio; teaching assignments have taken her to Campbell River Art Gallery, Port Alberni, Parksville and various locations in The Comox Valley.  As she tells her students “there is no magic brush” - like most creative pursuits, it takes many years of ‘practice’ to reach a stage of recognized ability.

Come and find out why one visitor said “I never realized you could do so much with watercolour!” This versatile artist enjoys the challenge of different styles and ‘supports’ for her work and will be on hand at the Pearl Ellis Gallery every day from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Judi offers gift certificates for art or classes, and carries a range of prints and cards for restricted budgets.  Her studio/gallery is open for visitors, including groups, by chance or by arrangement. Please view her web site for images, background and exhibition schedule:

www.judipedder.com

The gallery is located in the lower level of 1729 Comox Avenue and can be reached from the parking lot at the rear. More information can be obtained by visiting our web site at www.pearlellisgallery.com.

Wednesday July 28th is the opening date for a new show at the Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox.  This show will feature the photography of two local couples: - Len & Pauline Harrison, and Al & Vicki Lapp.   The theme of the work is mainly Scenery, Flora and Fauna of Vancouver Island.  A reception for this show will be held in the Gallery on Thursday the 29th of July from 7 - 9 in the evening and all are invited to attend.  Refreshments will be served.  One or more of the artists will be on hand throughout the show that will be ongoing during Nautical Days and Filberg Festival.  During this time the gallery will be open for extended hours.  We hope that it will be one more stop during your August long weekend and beyond until it closes on Monday, August 16th.  Besides framed work for sale, we will be showcasing smaller items such as cards, magnets, bookmarks, and matted prints; there may even be a few surprises. There will also be a launch of the 2011 Comox Valley Calendar.  This year the calendar will be limited to 400 copies, signed and numbered.  If you love photography, or just appreciate the beauty of the natural world, this show is a must see.  We hope that the general public will come to view photography as ‘another art form’, as valid as paint on canvas and as appreciated.

Allen Lapp has been photographing Vancouver Island since the early 80's.  He started out with a 35 mm camera, a small darkroom (doubling as an en-suite bathroom) and gradually finding his niche with digital format.  Although Allen recently acquired a Hasselblad medium format camera, his main focus is still digital photography.   A basis in film photography and working with Black and White and colour film in the darkroom gave him an appreciation and understanding of the craft.  Vicki has been involved in photography for many years, having found a real love of the camera at an early age ~ a natural empathy which stemmed from her father.   Vicki resisted digital for many years, but a more thorough understanding of it has made her a total convert.  Both Allen and Vicki enjoy photographing the local scenery and wildlife, and have been sharing their craft since the mid 1980's.

Len Harrison began his photographic experience with a box camera at age 12.  Later he joined a photo club and began to think more about “making pictures” than “taking snapshots”.  Like the Lapps, Len also dabbled in the art of developing film and making contact prints.  He graduated from a 35 mm camera to medium format, creating wonderful images that show not only a scene but takes the viewer on an emotional journey.  Three years ago, he bought a digital camera and gradually upgraded to his current Nikon 300 with a wonderfully versatile 18 - 200 mm lens.

Pauline has “inherited” the first digital camera, and has shown a natural flair of her own.   The two couples have had several happy outings together, sharing a love of the outdoors and developing a lasting friendship.   Vicki has stated, “Without a mutual association with the Pearl Ellis Gallery, it is very likely we may never have met.”

The Pearl Ellis Gallery is located on the lower level of 1729 Comox Avenue, between the Museum and the Lions Den.  With the advent of HST, there will no longer be any tax on all sales from the gallery. Admission is free, and we are open 7 days a week from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.   For more information on the Gallery, visit www.pearlellisgallery.com or call 339-2822 between 1 and 4 daily. 

August

CANCELLED

The Comox BIA is proud to once again present Photo Fest!

This amazing exhibiton of local photographers becomes more and more popular every year and is a fabulous reason for Comox Valley residents to come and visit Comox By The Sea!

If you are interested in entering your work or hosting a workshop for PhotoFest please e-mail info@comoxbythesea.com for an application package.

Comox Business In Action (BIA) is delighted to present the 2^nd Annual Comox Fringe!

On August 7 &8 from 11am -4pm a wide variety of fabulous local musicians will be performing in this free street fair in downtown Comox.  Come enjoy the sunshine and dance to some fabulous music performing on the patio at Caffe Amantes on Comox Ave.

Musical artists include:

Mister Luke O'Hearn ~ Glenn Mitchell ~  Jim Chisholm ~ John Palmer of Kentucky Funder ~  Erik Eriksson  ~  Judy & Bruce Wing ~ The Travellers ~  Bee ~  Things With Strings ~  Eric Benson and Lanning Kann from The White Horse Band

Sandra & Walter create high quality handcrafted metal, such as authentic native art, sun/moon, trees, wild life, domestic animals…… into wall hangings, free standing art, sculptural 3D art and signage for homes, businesses or garden.….. They also include custom artwork meeting customer requirements. “If you can dream it we will make it”.  Sandra & Walter, owners/artists/artisans of Ablaze MetalArt & Design have been creating these beautiful art pieces since October of 2006.

Sandra, using her inspiration and inherent artistic ability, creates and designs the artwork on computer, transfers it to Walter, who then works his magic. He cuts each piece separately with a high definition Computerized Numerically Controlled (CNC) plasma machine and through care and contemplation individually finishes the unique pieces of art. There are seven or more steps each piece undergoes after the cutting.  Each piece has 4 separate grinding and buffing applications to have the desired look for the next steps; the cleaning and applying of the unique patinas. Then the piece is coated with a high quality protective coating (the final step to completing the distinctive art piece).

Their diverse art line also includes: affordable popular silhouettes to fit different decors; each piece matchless with distinct patinas such as: silver, bronzed, gold, rust, copper rainbow (multi-coloured) or painted; giving further flexibility to customize to taste. These pieces of art can also be customized to fit particular areas. They also take commissioned work for individuals looking for an exclusive piece; for which their motto stands. Come to the Gallery and see some of their newer pieces.

Further ways in which their art can be used: garden accessories; security insets for windows & doors; insets for gates, fireplace screens, doors & windows screens; Signage & Logos for businesses to name only a few. Spark your imagination and see what flares up. Sandra & Walter will be only too willing to create a special piece just for you.

The Pearl Ellis Gallery is located on the lower level of 1729 Comox Avenue, between the Museum and the Lions Den.  With the advent of HST, there will no longer be any tax on all sales from the gallery. Admission is free, and we are open 7 days a week from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.   For more information on the Gallery, visit www.pearlellisgallery.com or call 339-2822 between 1 and 4 daily.

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