Art
A side order of art to go with that – ObserverXtra
Tired of cooking or relying on fast-food delivery? Local restaurateurs are welcoming people back, offering up a side order of art as an enticement.
On patios across the region, colourful picnic tables painted by local artists await visitors to a range of establishments.
Art Fresco is a public art collaboration between local artists and restaurants that supports both groups at the same time. Created by the tourism organization Explore Waterloo Region, the project has placed some 50 unique tables at various locations.
“The Art Fresco project came about as a way to try to support two industries that were particularly hard hit with the pandemic, the hospitality industry and the art industry, in this case visual arts,” explains the group’s Diane Murenbeeld of the idea behind the art-meets-food-meets-socialization project.
Murenbeeld went on to explain the process of selection for the visual artists. Denis Longchamps from the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Shirley Madill from Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, and Susan Coolen, a local visual artist, were the three members of the selection committee.
“The three served as the selection committee to review concepts that were selected from Waterloo Region and beyond,” said Murenbeeld.
Where to place the finished tables involved yet more factors. “One was geography, to try and spread them fairly across Waterloo Region. There was a high demand in certain areas, but we wanted to ensure that we had representation in our rural municipalities as well as our cities.”
Rural locations such as Woolwich and Wellesley townships were not forgotten. Local sites and photos of the art at the locations can be found at the Explore Waterloo Region website. In Woolwich Township, there are six tables, located at Jacob’s Grill, Kitchen Kuttings, EcoCafe, Sip ‘N Bite, The Village Biergarten and The Village Colonnade. Wellesley Township is home to three pieces, one each at Grammy’s Espresso Bar, The 86’, and The Olde Heidelberg Restaurant.
Beyond the locales, the project has other ties to the townships: wood was sourced from St. Clements, and Home Hardware and Beauti-Tone provided additional supplies. The tables were brought to Lot 42 in Kitchener, where artists were invited to submit designs and come onsite to paint the picnic tables.
Organizers then attempted to connect themes in the artwork to locations. For example, one bench was inspired by the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, so it was placed at the Chrysalis Café. The bench was painted by Anne Williamson, who described her concept on the picnic table’s profile on the campaign’s website. “In these trying times we’ve had to slow down, value what is near and dear to us, and feel fortunate for this wonderful world. I’ve been noticing the butterflies in the garden, and they, the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, provided inspiration for my design.”
The last factor for consideration was a desire for tables from community members. “We just wanted to learn of any places looking for a table,” explained Murenbeeld.
Explore Waterloo Region encourages people to visit patios and participate in their #ArtFrescoDining campaign by taking selfies at the tables.
“The reason we went with tables as a public art project was also in keeping the pandemic in mind. It was naturally a social bubble friendly piece of furniture that might entice people who are a bit nervous about going out that they can safely dine together with their bubble and still be outdoors,” she said.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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